This will sadden a lot of fried-chicken eaters in the Chicagoland area -- Doris Mae Hastert, owner of White Fence Farm on Route 66 in Lemont and a longtime greeter at the restaurant's front door, died at age 93 on Monday. White Fence Farm has been an area institution for about 50 years. It seats … Continue reading Owner of White Fence Farm dies
Route 66 art exhibit is tomorrow in Albuquerque
The Route 66 ARTScrawl will be held Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. For details, go here. (via Duke City Fix)
Book review: “Once Upon a Highway”
Because "Once Upon a Highway: Route 66 in Oklahoma" (162 pages, New Forums, $36.95) is written and illustrated by an architect, you would expect drawings of intricately designed buildings, such as the Coleman Theatre Beautiful and the First United Methodist Church in Clinton, that latter which was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright. But what makes … Continue reading Book review: “Once Upon a Highway”
Stater Bros. grocery chain celebrates 70th anniversary
Stater Bros., a grocery chain based on Southern California, is marking its 70th year. The San Bernardino Sun published a story about the chain's history and interviewed its CEO, Jack Brown. This story is going on Route 66 News because Stater Bros. is the major sponsor of the Route 66 Rendezvous. In fact, the event … Continue reading Stater Bros. grocery chain celebrates 70th anniversary
Last Shakey’s Pizza in Illinois to become a Diamond’s Buffet
Route 66 researcher Carl Johnson sent me this excerpt about the Shakey's Pizza chain that was published recently in the Springfield (Ill.) Journal-Register (I no longer have the link, as it's gone into a fee-based archive): Shakey's Restaurant, 2441 S. MacArthur Blvd., is changing its name to Diamond's Buffet Restaurant. Shakey's USA is going to … Continue reading Last Shakey’s Pizza in Illinois to become a Diamond’s Buffet
Big Daddy meal is too big for this eater
Dr. Paul Reagan attempted to meet the Big Daddy challenge at Al's Route 66 Cafe in Sapulpa, Okla, according to the Sapulpa Daily Herald. The Big Daddy is a 66-ounce hamburger, three pounds of fries and a 32-ounce milkshake. To get the $35 meal for free, you have to consume it all in 66 minutes. … Continue reading Big Daddy meal is too big for this eater
A cool place that few know is there
Livejournal is sort of like MySpace: There are lots of people and lots of traffic, but you have to sift through bushels and bushels of chaff to find a few nuggets of wheat. I found a tasty morsel today in shadowplay2's impressions of Route 66 in Illinois. He stopped at the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield … Continue reading A cool place that few know is there
Tour de Route 66 resumes
Buddy Boren, a cancer survivor who was pedaling a bicycle down Route 66 to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, halted his trek in late July because of a sore knee. But Boren got a couple weeks' rest, consulted with his doctor and decided to resume his Tour de Route 66 where he left … Continue reading Tour de Route 66 resumes
“Let’s get a corn dog”
Charles Storch of the Chicago Tribune caves in to his cravings for a corn dog and ends up writing an exemplary article about the Cozy Dog Drive-In on Route 66 in Springfield, Ill. Not only does he touch on the Birthplace of the Corn Dog's past, present and likely future, but he also talks to … Continue reading “Let’s get a corn dog”
Steak ‘n Shake may land on historic register
The Steak 'n Shake at St. Louis Street and National Avenue in Springfield, Mo., may soon be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, reports the Springfield News-Leader. This particular franchise was built in 1962, and its owner, Gary Leonard, has made it a point to keep the retro-looking restaurant looking spiffy. The article … Continue reading Steak ‘n Shake may land on historic register