The Zeno’s Motel and Steakhouse along Route 66 in Rolla, Missouri, is gone, having met its demise by the wrecking ball about three years ago.
However, grandson of the longtime owner of that establishment is opening an Italian restaurant next month in Rolla, reported the Rolla Daily News. It’s not on Route 66, but it’s in historic Benton Square, about a half-mile east of the Mother Road.
Max Scheffer is the grandson of Zeno Scheffer, who ran Zeno’s for about 50 years on Route 66 in the western part of town.
“I grew up running the halls of Zeno’s,” Scheffer said. “I was back in the kitchen washing dishes when I was 8.”
Scheffer owned and ran the family business for many years before its doors closed in October of 2011.
Max Scheffer also owns Di Trapani’s on the Bluff in Dixon, Missouri. He found out recently a restaurant in the historic Benton Square building — formerly a schoolhouse — was closing. He decided to open another Di Trapani’s — after his mother’s maiden name — there in Rolla.
“This place has character,” he noted. “We’re putting a fresh look and a fresh menu to this place. I am trying to give the community what they are yearning for. Rolla does not have a good Italian place.” Scheffer, who graduated from culinary school in the early 1980s, told The Rolla Daily News that his menu will be 90 percent Italian. Initially, he plans to be in the kitchen putting his creative cooking skills to work.
Zeno’s opened in 1956. The complex included 50 guest rooms, an indoor and outdoor pool, banquet facilities, lounge, and the restaurant. Bulldozers tore it down not long after it closed. A bunch of photos of the restaurant and motel before it closed may be seen here.
It may not be on Route 66, but it’s good to see one member of one of the old families of Route 66 back in business in his hometown. I know of a few people who adored Zeno’s who’d probably will stop by to say “hi” once he opens.
(Image of Zeno’s sign from 2007 via Ace Jackalope)
It is my understanding that Rolla had a “city route 66” and a “bypass route 66”. The city route 66 was on Pine Street downtown. This means that the new Di Trepani’s is only 4 blocks east of Route 66. The Benton Square website says that Di Trepani’s plans to open in mid-March.
Rolla and Pine streets were old 66 in downtown.
I stayed and ate at Zenos many times. It’s been a few years since I’ve been to the area so I am sad to learn that the historic motel and restaurant had met it’s demise.. @lyndell brown
His name is Michael, not Max.