Richard and Amy Sanell, owners of the much-acclaimed Cafe on the Route on Route 66 in Baxter Springs, Kan., soon will open another restaurant in the historic Gryphon Building in nearby Joplin, Mo., reported the Joplin Globe.
The Gryphon, completed in 1915, sits at 10th and Main streets in Joplin, a few blocks south of the city’s Seventh Street alignment of Route 66. The Sanells’ new restaurant on the building’s first floor will be called L.L. Sayer’s, and it will be open sometime in February.
Richard Sanell wasn’t specific on what food would be served at L.L. Sayer’s, but he told the Globe that he’s looking at “a touch of the past or dishes of yesteryear. Dishes that might have been served at the Connor Hotel or the House of Lords.”
As for Cafe on the Route, don’t worry — it will remain open.
When the Sanells opened Cafe on the Route, they were hoping their decision was the right one. That was 12 years ago.
“We found that the area has been stronger than we thought, particularly our connection to Route 66,” he said. “We are parlaying that into doing some other things. We hope to have three or four concepts going.’’
The Cafe on the Route will continue to operate. Luke Prauser, a native of Baxter Springs, is helping head up that kitchen.
Cafe on the Route serves some of the most creative and tasty food on the Mother Road. The Food Channel featured it several years ago on the “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” program. See it here:
The Cafe on the Route building also features the Little Brick Inn, a bed-and-breakfast on the second floor.