Ted Drewes Jr., longtime owner of Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis, dies at 96

Ted Drewes Jr., the longtime proprietor of the iconic Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis, died Monday, according to several media outlets in the St. Louis region. He was 96. Ted Jr. and his son-in-law, Travis Family members confirmed his death Wednesday to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Here's a Buzzfeed video from a few … Continue reading Ted Drewes Jr., longtime owner of Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis, dies at 96

TeePee Drive-In in Sapulpa to host hotdog-eating contest on July 4

The TeePee Drive-In theater in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, will host a hotdog-eating contest on the evening of July 4, the birthday of the United States. The contest begins at 7 p.m. The TeePee will hold a small fireworks display that night at 8:50, with a moving screening to follow. The venue claims it is the first … Continue reading TeePee Drive-In in Sapulpa to host hotdog-eating contest on July 4

New plaque commemorates the birthplace of the horseshoe sandwich in Springfield

The Visit Springfield tourism bureau on Thursday commemorated the birthplace of the horseshoe sandwich with a new plaque at the historic Leland Hotel building at Capitol Avenue and Sixth Street (aka Route 66) in Springfield, Illinois. For the uninitiated, a horseshoe sandwich consists of thick slices of toast, a hamburger patty or another type of … Continue reading New plaque commemorates the birthplace of the horseshoe sandwich in Springfield

Pineapple Whip, which started in the Ozarks in Springfield, marks its 50th year

As summer arrives in earnest, Route 66ers' thoughts understandably will go to Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis. But another Route 66 city 200 miles west of St. Louis boasts its own frozen treat and considerable longevity -- Pineapple Whip, marking its 50th season this year in its hometown of Springfield, Missouri. The Springfield … Continue reading Pineapple Whip, which started in the Ozarks in Springfield, marks its 50th year

Progressively warmer winters affect harvest at Funks Grove Maple Sirup

CBS News in Chicago recently did a story about Funks Grove Maple Sirup in Shirley, Illinois, and how repeatedly warmer winters are shortening the sap flow of the family farm's maple trees. The gist is that climate change definitely is affecting Funks Grove's annual harvest. https://youtu.be/N6OKuhKXwZA?si=mBzoSoN9uBL6hNwy Funks Grove tends to sell out of its maple … Continue reading Progressively warmer winters affect harvest at Funks Grove Maple Sirup

Aussie eats 13 1/2 pounds of fudge at Uranus Missouri contest

James Webb of Sydney, Australia, devoured 13 1/2 pounds of chocolate fudge in eight minutes to win the title and $2,500 in prize money during the inaugural Eating Uranus Fudge Galactic Championship at the Uranus Missouri complex. James Webb prepares to devour a piece of fudge from Uranus. The contest took place last week at … Continue reading Aussie eats 13 1/2 pounds of fudge at Uranus Missouri contest

Professional eaters to compete in fudge-eating competition at Uranus Missouri

Uranus Missouri, no stranger to novel ways to promote the complex, has a new one in store this month -- the inaugural Eating Uranus Fudge Galactic Championship at 1 p.m. March 30 featuring a host of competitors from the Major League Eating circuit. The contest will take place at Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store … Continue reading Professional eaters to compete in fudge-eating competition at Uranus Missouri

Pig hip sandwiches predated Ernie Edwards’ restaurant in Broadwell along Route 66

A few online sources claim Ernie Edwards (sometimes listed as "Earnie") of the Pig Hip Restaurant along Route 66 in Broadwell, Illinois, was the inventor of his famous pig hip sandwiches. However, recent research effectively refutes that claim. First, a little background. Edwards ran what was the Pig Hip Restaurant in Broadwell from 1937 until … Continue reading Pig hip sandwiches predated Ernie Edwards’ restaurant in Broadwell along Route 66

This is the 100th anniversary when a Pasadena diner reputedly introduced the cheeseburger

This month marks the 100th anniversary when a restaurant along future Route 66 in Pasadena, California, reputedly introduced the cheeseburger. The Rite Spot restaurant in the 1500 block of West Colorado Boulevard offered an "Original Hamburger with Cheese" for 15 cents in January 1924, according to the Pasadena Convention and Visitors Bureau. As the tale … Continue reading This is the 100th anniversary when a Pasadena diner reputedly introduced the cheeseburger

Free passport program launched for Horseshoe Trail in Springfield, Illinois

Visit Springfield, the tourism and destination marketing organization for the City of Springfield, Illinois, announced last week it is launching the Springfield Horseshoe Trail Passport, which aims to heighten awareness of the longstanding dish in the region. The free passport lists 20 local businesses, including several along the Route 66 corridor, For the uninitiated, the … Continue reading Free passport program launched for Horseshoe Trail in Springfield, Illinois