The 70-year-old Florence's Restaurant just east of the state capitol in Oklahoma City last week was named the first James Beard Award winner in Oklahoma history. According to The Oklahoman newspaper, Florence's was among six winners of the Beard foundation’s 2022 America’s Classics Award, given to locally-owned restaurants with “timeless appeal and are beloved regionally for … Continue reading Florence’s Restaurant in Oklahoma City is state’s first James Beard Award winner
Category: Food
Carl’s Coney Island in Tulsa recently marked its 50th year
Carl's Coney Island, a mainstay in the historic Crystal City Shopping Center along Route 66 in Tulsa, in October marked its 50th year and welcomed new owners. According to a Facebook post a few weeks ago, Carl's celebrated its half-century on Oct. 21. It served 50-cent Coney dogs that day. It also announced owners Mike … Continue reading Carl’s Coney Island in Tulsa recently marked its 50th year
Big Texan in Amarillo marks its 10,000th 72-ounce steak challenge
The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo earlier this month celebrated its 10,000th contestant attempting to consume its famous 72-ounce steak dinner. The 10,000th dinner was eaten on Sept. 1 by John Lamons, who accomplished the feat just seconds short of the 60-minute deadline to get it for free. The challenge requires one to eat … Continue reading Big Texan in Amarillo marks its 10,000th 72-ounce steak challenge
A Slice of Pie restaurant opens second location in St. Robert
A Slice of Pie restaurant, a mainstay in Rolla, Missouri, since opening just off Route 66 three decades ago, has opened a second location 25 miles west in St. Robert, Missouri. The bakery announced on Facebook on Wednesday the opening of its second site in St. Robert. The address there is 1106 Old Route 66. … Continue reading A Slice of Pie restaurant opens second location in St. Robert
Stuckey’s heiress aims to revive her family’s brand
Stephanie Stuckey, the granddaughter of the man who founded the famous Stuckey's convenience store chain, recently purchased back her family's business and wants to return the diminished brand to national prominence. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published a profile of Stuckey, who purchased the remaining shares of the Georgia-based Stuckey's company about 18 months ago. Stephanie Stuckey … Continue reading Stuckey’s heiress aims to revive her family’s brand
Original Bobcat Bite on Old Las Vegas Highway in Sante Fe to reopen in May
The original Bobcat Bite restaurant along Old Las Vegas Highway (aka Route 66) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is scheduled to reopen in May after closing about eight years ago. The Bobcat Bite, which opened in 1953, became well-known over the years for its green chile cheeseburger. According to the Santa Fe New Mexican: The … Continue reading Original Bobcat Bite on Old Las Vegas Highway in Sante Fe to reopen in May
New chef at The Turquoise Room in Winslow’s La Posada also draws praise
A recent article in an Arizona newspaper answers a question -- who became the new chef at The Turquoise Room restaurant in La Posada of Winslow, Arizona, after John Sharpe retired in October? The short answer: Jesus Nunez, a native of Mexico who was Sharpe's right-hand man for more than three decades. According to the … Continue reading New chef at The Turquoise Room in Winslow’s La Posada also draws praise
Glaida Funk, the matriarch at Funks Grove Maple Sirup, dies at age 94
Glaida Funk, the longtime matriarch of the landmark Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup near Funks Grove, Illinois, died Friday. She was 94. The Bloomington Pantagraph in nearby Bloomington posted a death notice, but arrangements were incomplete Sunday night at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington. We'll post more information when it becomes available. Terri … Continue reading Glaida Funk, the matriarch at Funks Grove Maple Sirup, dies at age 94
Mitla Cafe of San Bernardino finishes in Final Four of tortilla tournament
The historic Mitla Cafe along Route 66 in San Bernardino, California, recently advanced to the semifinals of the rugged KCRW Tortilla Tournament in the corn tortilla division. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin columnist David Allen, who noted the restaurant dates to 1937, passed along these details about the competition: While first-timer Mitla was entered in both … Continue reading Mitla Cafe of San Bernardino finishes in Final Four of tortilla tournament
The inventor of Springfield cashew chicken dish dies at age 99
David Leong, who put Springfield, Missouri, on the culinary map by inventing Springfield-style cashew chicken that many other Chinese restaurants adopted, has died. He was less than a month short of his 100th birthday. Leong lived quite a life. He fled China in 1938 when Japan attacked his hometown. He immigrated to New Orleans, joined … Continue reading The inventor of Springfield cashew chicken dish dies at age 99