Pat Bertoletti of Chicago won the title at the Cozy Dog Eating World Championship by devouring a stomach-churning 51 in 10 minutes on Saturday in Springfield, Illinois. That far outpaced the runner-up, Darrien Thomas of Toronto, who ate 37 1/2 Cozy Dogs. Jerome Burns of Danbury, Connecticut, finished third with 25. Bertoletti was considered the … Continue reading Chicagoan wins Cozy Dog Eating World Championship by devouring 51 in 10 minutes
Category: Restaurants
Kap’s Coffee Shop & Diner in Albuquerque to close on Oct. 11 after nearly 60 years
Kap’s Coffee Shop & Diner, a fixture along Albuquerque's Route 66 corridor since 1968, will close for good on Oct. 11, after the city's annual Balloon Fiesta ends. Nicole Kapnison, a daughter of longtime owner Nick Kapnison who now is the operator, told the Albuquerque Journal that challenging conditions have prompted her to close. But … Continue reading Kap’s Coffee Shop & Diner in Albuquerque to close on Oct. 11 after nearly 60 years
Two restaurants merge into former Grand Canyon Cafe building in Flagstaff
Brandy's Cafe recently merged with the Proper Meats + Provisions eatery inside the former Grand Canyon Cafe in downtown Flagstaff, Arizona. The Daily Sun in Flagstaff had the scoop: The announcement came on Sept. 3, two weeks before the transition officially took place last Thursday as the longtime Brady’s Café in Southside closed its doors. … Continue reading Two restaurants merge into former Grand Canyon Cafe building in Flagstaff
ASAP Energy sells properties, including Lucille’s Roadhouse restaurants, to Casey’s
Rick and Sheila Koch announced earlier this month they were selling over a dozen ASAP Energy properties in Oklahoma, including Lucille's Rhoadhouse restaurants in Weatherford and Clinton. The Casey's convenience store megachain is purchasing the properties. "We want more for our Employees - more opportunities for professional growth, more resources, and more possibilities for long-term … Continue reading ASAP Energy sells properties, including Lucille’s Roadhouse restaurants, to Casey’s
Monarch Donuts, proclaimed as “L.A.’s best doughnut shop,” closes
The popular Monarch Donuts shop in Arcadia, California, closed on Sept. 21 to make way for a residential and retail development. Los Angeles Times food critic Jenn Harris said the shop's apple fritter is the best in a region known for many doughnut shops. Indeed, Monarch Donuts had long drawn a lengthy line of customers … Continue reading Monarch Donuts, proclaimed as “L.A.’s best doughnut shop,” closes
Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announces 14 Preservation & Economic Development grant recipients
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership recently announced it was awarding a total of 14 Preservation & Economic Development Grants worth $2,500 each in 2026. Recipients were chosen from 124 applications. Qualifying projects were reviewed by an independent review committee from across the eight Route 66 states. Eligible activities included capital improvements, historic preservation planning … Continue reading Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announces 14 Preservation & Economic Development grant recipients
Competitive eaters to face off at Cozy Dog Eating World Championship
A group of the world’s top competitive eaters will gather in Springfield, Illinois, to compete at the inaugural Cozy Dog Eating World Championship at 1 p.m. on Sept. 26. The event is part of the larger Mother Road Festival, a celebration marking 100 years of Route 66. Sanctioned by Major League Eating, the contest will … Continue reading Competitive eaters to face off at Cozy Dog Eating World Championship
Iconic Beef Burger Barrel restaurant in Amarillo put on the market for $100,000
The iconically shaped Beef Burger Barrel restaurant in Amarillo, Texas, was recently put on the market for $100,000. The eatery is at 3102 Plains Blvd., a little more than a mile south of the city's Sixth Street alignment of Route 66. But its early roots were part of the Mother Road. Lyons Realty is listing … Continue reading Iconic Beef Burger Barrel restaurant in Amarillo put on the market for $100,000
Former Golden Spread Grill restaurant in Groom closes
The Grill, formerly known as the venerable Golden Spread Grill in Groom, Texas, has closed due to the owner's health issues. Owner Karen Brown announced on Facebook that the restaurant at 407 E. Front St. (aka Route 66) would close on Sept. 13. She thanked the community for its support over the years. She had … Continue reading Former Golden Spread Grill restaurant in Groom closes
Salsa Brava restaurant in Flagstaff closes after 40 years; owner will open a new concept eatery there
The acclaimed Salsa Brava restaurant in Flagstaff, Arizona, closed Saturday after a 40-year run, but its owner plans a new restaurant along that same Route 66 location. Saying it was "time to turn the page," owner and founder John Conley announced the closure on Facebook three days before shuttering the eatery at 2220 E. Route … Continue reading Salsa Brava restaurant in Flagstaff closes after 40 years; owner will open a new concept eatery there