The owners of the Summit Inn faced higher-than-expected costs to clean up the property after a wildfire destroyed the restaurant in August. Otto Recinos, co-owner of the Route 66 landmark near Hesperia, California, told the Victorville Daily Press the cleanup cost $320,000. “The site had asbestos and lead,” Recinos said, “so we had to do a … Continue reading Cleanup costs hamper Summit Inn rebuilding project
Category: Restaurants
Fire damages Skippy’s Route 66 Restaurant
A fire heavily damaged Skippy's Route 66 Restaurant near Leasburg, Missouri, earlier this month, but the owner has vowed to rebuild once he gets the insurance settlement. According to the Cuba Free Press newspaper, the fire occurred after the business had closed for the night: The dining and bar area was completely destroyed, with the … Continue reading Fire damages Skippy’s Route 66 Restaurant
Former Parkview Inn in Bloomington damaged by fire
A fire Friday night extensively damaged the historic Parkview Food and Pub restaurant, formerly the Parkview Inn, in Bloomington, Illinois, but its owners vowed to rebuild. A fire in the exhaust hood caused $300,000 in damage, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The Parkview sits on a 1930 to 1940 alignment of Route 66 at 1003 Morris Ave. (map here). … Continue reading Former Parkview Inn in Bloomington damaged by fire
Fabulous 40 Motel in Adrian reopens
The Fabulous 40 Motel in Adrian, Texas, reopened last week after a hiatus of more than a decade. And the new proprietors also own The Bent Door cafe along Route 66 in Adrian, which they also hope to reopen sometime next year. Roy and Ramona Kiewert reopened the Fabulous 40 Motel on Oct. 7 after buying the … Continue reading Fabulous 40 Motel in Adrian reopens
Tony Waldmire of Cozy Dog Drive-In dies
Tony Waldmire, 31, a co-operator of the landmark Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois, and grandson of its founder, died Saturday, according to a post from the restaurant's Facebook account. The post read: This is the hardest post I have ever had to make. With a heavy heart I am sad to announce the passing of my … Continue reading Tony Waldmire of Cozy Dog Drive-In dies
Fran Eickhoff plaque being moved to Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q
A plaque commemorating longtime Route 66 business owner Fran Eickhoff is being moved from Fanning 66 Outpost to the Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q restaurant in Cuba, Missouri, after the former closed. The plaque will be re-dedicated by the Route 66 Association of Missouri at 11 a.m. Saturday at the restaurant 913 E. Washington St. (aka Route 66; … Continue reading Fran Eickhoff plaque being moved to Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q
Midpoint Cafe put up for sale because of owner’s health problems
The Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas, a Route 66 landmark for many years, has been placed on the market after its owner endured chronic health issues -- including an episode late this summer that required hospitalization. Owner Dennis Purschwitz posted Saturday on Facebook: As many of you all know, this past season has been hard on me, my … Continue reading Midpoint Cafe put up for sale because of owner’s health problems
Hotel plan may endanger original Barney’s Beanery
The original Barney's Beanery restaurant and bar along Route 66 in West Hollywood, California, may be endangered by a proposed five-story hotel in that spot. The Los Angeles Times reported on a few of the details: The proposal — which is in its early stages — would see Barney’s entirely disassembled, stored offsite during construction and later rebuilt … Continue reading Hotel plan may endanger original Barney’s Beanery
More details released on future Big Texan Steak Ranch
While groundbreaking remains weeks away, the owners of the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo revealed many plans for a bigger restaurant and other attractions just down the road. The current Big Texan seats about 500 people, but customer demand has outgrown it with no room to expand. According to the Amarillo Globe-News, the restaurant loses more than … Continue reading More details released on future Big Texan Steak Ranch
Book review: “Portrait of Route 66”
"Portrait of Route 66" provides many colorful or obscure images from the massive Curt Teich Postcard Archive, and it offers a look at the Mother Road from the mid-1920s to the early 1950s. But one of the most enjoyable parts of "Portrait of Route 66" (280 pages, cloth, illustrated, University of Oklahoma Press) turns out to be … Continue reading Book review: “Portrait of Route 66”