A restaurant review in the Springfield News-Leader revealed that the historic Rockwood Court Restaurant in Springfield, Mo., recently was reborn as Tubby’s Diner.
The new owner, Jason Russell, remodeled the restaurant, improved the food, and restored its Route 66 charm, the newspaper reported.
The site housed the first restaurant and motel on Route 66 in Springfield, Russell said his research shows. The Mother Road was conceived in 1926, and the Rockwood Court Motel and Restaurant was built in 1931.
The original place at 2204 W. College St. included a gas station on the east part of the building, he said. The restaurant changed hands several times over the years, with the gas station morphing into a pool hall then falling into disuse, leaving the small west section of the building for the dining area.
“I saw the potential for how much bigger it could be,” Russell said. His remodeling work included extensive repairs to the roof and ceiling, new paint and new equipment, he said.
An old postcard of the Rockwood Court motel and restaurant, courtesy of 66 Postcards:
Among Tubby’s menu items is a two-thirds pound Double Tubby Burger: two steakburger patties with lettuce, tomato, onion, chipotle mayonnaise, and cheddar cheese on a toasted bun.
Delving back to a Route 66 News story in 2008, the restaurant was named the Rockwood until 1969, then reverted back to that name at least once. A quick look on Google Street View indicated that most of the motel buildings were still standing, but a call to the phone number listed for the motel was disconnected.
This website gives you before-and-after images of the location.
Tubby’s Cafe is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.
Tubby’s clean, unobtrusive decor is so inviting. The changes and hard work Jason Russell put into Tubby’s is amazing. Do you know he labored along side a friend to do most of the work themselves? You would have been astounded by the caliber of decor used by the previous owner. The place was in shambles, filthy, grease build up and the obvious caliber of cleanliness was abhoring.
The price, quality and portion of food at Tubby’s is shocking! I went there for breakfast and had the largest breakfast I’ve ever seen for about $10. A ham steak filled 1/2 of the plate and the other 1/2 hasbrowns, then 3ggs, sausage and bacon were fit somewhere inbetween! Plus two pancakes on the side! This would easily feed two! I must admit though, I did eat most of it….it was sooo good!
Tubby’s diner is a very clean, great food great price and the homemade bisquits and gravy is the best in town.. I love the philly cheesesteak sandwich .. The portions are unreal.. And they even have sourdough toast…..If you get a chance you have to go try the food and Tubby himself is always helping in the dining area.. Very NICE!!!
I was looking for a place that served homemade bisquits and gravy kinda like mom did,not from a mix and i have found it and it is on the west side even better.. With fast and very friendly service and treat you like family..
All this talk about food, and don’t get me wrong it is all they say, but they are forgetting one of the best parts! They have cable tv at the counter so you can watch the game while your eating!
All right, Joe, Adnil, and JoKay, you can stop now. You’re all posting from the same IP address, so it’s apparent the same person is posting favorable comments about the restaurant. Knock it off, or you’re all going into the spam folder.
been to Tubby’s twice now and I live 110 miles away in Oklahoma! They have the BEST burger around. Jason was a great, polite, friendly and informative host. I can’t wait to see the motel beck in ship shape. We will be back!!! one tip, turn off that TV and turn on some DooWop!
Tubby’s is great….good food, good prices, nice facilities and nice people to enjoy a meal with. Keep it up Tubby’s