Cafe on the Route, a beloved restaurant on Route 66 in Baxter Springs, Kansas, that closed abruptly nearly two years ago, has reopened, according to the Joplin Globe.
Tim and Julie Potter of nearby Miami, Oklahoma, bought the restaurant this summer and began renovating it. The newspaper reported that he executive chef is Charles Bowen and the house manager is Michelle Haynes. And its reopening reportedly is attracting attention from far and wide:
While the Route 66 tourism season isn’t yet in full swing, Haynes said she has already received reservations from motorcycle groups, and a group of 35 planned to hold its Christmas party at the cafe. […]
A structural engineer turned chef, Bowen has a Ph.D. and taught engineering at Oklahoma State University for six years. He also has been involved in the remodel of the cafe, which has new appliances in its kitchen and an antique-style dining area with tall ceilings and exposed brick walls.
“I gave up a six-figure job for one half the pay and double the hours,” he said. “My fingers hurt, I burn myself and my feet hurt. But I enjoy coming to work every day. I love what I do, and I’m passionate about what I do. This is what makes me tick.”
Those looking for old favorites such as fried potato salad and fried cheesecake from chef and co-owner Richard Sanell will be disappointed — creative dishes that earned the restaurant a segment on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” The Sanells unexpectedly closed Cafe on the Route in January 2013 after two of their other restaurants in the area went belly-up.
You can peruse the retooled restaurant’s breakfast and dinner menus here. It is closed Monday and is open only for lunch on Sunday.
Good to read…and I like the new look here, Ron!