A history of Bama Pies

If you drive through Route 66 in Tulsa, you'll probably notice a big beige building on the north side of 11th Street with the name Bama Pies. It is part of The Bama Companies. This well-produced video by the company shows how it expanded from its mom-and-pop roots to becoming a multinational corporation. Even if … Continue reading A history of Bama Pies

Springfield tunnel once was part of a brewery

Last week, workers clearing land for the future site of a Route 66-themed park on College Street in Springfield, Missouri, found a series of underground rooms that probably were at least a century old. This week, media outlets -- including the Springfield News-Leader -- found the tunnel once was part of the Springfield Brewing Co. … Continue reading Springfield tunnel once was part of a brewery

Woman eats two Big Texan 72-ounce steaks in less than 15 minutes

Holy cow. A woman from Nebraska devoured two of the Big Texan Steak Ranch's trademark 72-ounce steak dinners in less than 15 minutes Monday, reported the Amarillo Globe-News, and set an apparent record in the process. Molly Schuyler of Bellevue, Nebraska, reportedly polished off the first meal in less than five minutes. If the timing … Continue reading Woman eats two Big Texan 72-ounce steaks in less than 15 minutes

Waynesville candy shop’s promotion leads to controversy and publicity

Today, the Route 66 Candy Shoppe in Waynesville, Mo., will give free fudge to any customer who weighs 300 pounds to mark Fat Tuesday. KSPR-TV in Springfield, Mo., (video is at the link) reported it as a stunt -- and reported a bit of a controversy: The owners say it's a fun, light hearted way … Continue reading Waynesville candy shop’s promotion leads to controversy and publicity

Vic’s Pizza in Springfield closes

Vic's Pizza and Pub, a mainstay on old Route 66 on the north side of Springfield, Ill., since 1948, recently closed its doors, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. The closing must have happened shortly after Valentine's Day. Its Facebook page shows normal postings through that date, then nothing. The newspaper reported: “Business was slow and … Continue reading Vic’s Pizza in Springfield closes

A sweet old look to a new Waynesville building

This article was going to be primarily about a new candy shop in downtown Waynesville, Mo. More on that later. But first, it's intriguing how the shop's landlord transformed a vacant lot with a new building that manages to sport an attractive but old-fashioned look. It is Roubidoux Square at 115 N. Benton St. (map … Continue reading A sweet old look to a new Waynesville building

How a winery in Stroud became a tourist attraction

The Journal-Record in Oklahoma City recently published a long feature, via the Associated Press, about StableRidge Vineyards along Route 66 in Stroud, Okla. The story about winery, which has operated for nearly 10 years by Don and Annetta Neal, contains these fascinating nuggets: The main building of the site is a former Catholic church. Annetta … Continue reading How a winery in Stroud became a tourist attraction

A visit to the Comet II Drive-In

Continuing KOB-TV's series on iconic New Mexico restaurants, here's a look at the Comet II Drive-In in Santa Rosa, N.M. More about the PDL chile from the City of Santa Rosa website: Puerto de Luna is also famous for "PDL Chile" a unique strain of chile that has been cultivated here for over 100 years. … Continue reading A visit to the Comet II Drive-In

A visit to the Silver Moon Cafe

KOB-TV in Albuquerque has started a series on "iconic" New Mexico restaurants. One of them is the Silver Moon Cafe, on Route 66 in Santa Rosa. Here's the video: As for claiming it is the first place where westbound travelers can get a true taste of New Mexico, there's at least one place in Tucumcari … Continue reading A visit to the Silver Moon Cafe

A chat with Cowboy Gelato’s manager

KC Keefer on his Genuine Route 66 Life video series posted this brief interview with the general manager of Cowboy Gelato, located along the historic Sixth Avenue District (aka Route 66) in Amarillo. https://youtu.be/lQgGBG_L-zM Only in America could you combine an Italian dessert with a western theme.