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

Petite woman successfully takes on the Big Texan’s 72-ounce steak challenge

A woman who weighs all of 125 pounds successfully devoured the 72-ounce steak dinner at the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo in just 40 minutes last month in a video that has gone viral. The competitive eater and bodybuilder, known as Katina Eats Kilos, apparently was one of the first women to complete the … Continue reading Petite woman successfully takes on the Big Texan’s 72-ounce steak challenge

Donut Man opens satellite location in downtown Los Angeles today

Donut Man, a Route 66 fixture in Glendora, California, opens a second location today in the Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles after being delayed for months by the coronavirus pandemic. Eater Los Angeles reports the market sits between Hill Street and Broadway (aka Route 66) in downtown L.A. The second Donut Man location, … Continue reading Donut Man opens satellite location in downtown Los Angeles today

Chef at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm named a Beard Award finalist

The chef at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm in an Albuquerque-area village has been named a finalist in the Best Chef: Southwest category of the prestigious James Beard Awards. Jonathan Perno runs the Campo restaurant at the inn and farm at 4803 Rio Grande Blvd NW in Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, New Mexico, … Continue reading Chef at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm named a Beard Award finalist

Route 66 Movie Theatre in Webb City sells concessions during its closure

Score one for resourcefulness: The Route 66 Movie Theatre in downtown Webb City, Missouri, is selling items from its concession stand -- including fresh-popped popcorn -- while the venue remains closed during the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Joplin Globe newspaper in nearby Joplin: “We really developed the idea based on our desire for some … Continue reading Route 66 Movie Theatre in Webb City sells concessions during its closure

Latest RoadTripOK video focuses on El Reno, Yukon

The latest RoadTripOK video for Oklahoma Tourism focuses on attractions in the Route 66 towns of El Reno and Yukon. Here's where the crew went: Downtown El RenoSid's Diner in El RenoExpress Clydesdales in Yukon Here's the video: https://youtu.be/k-XlxxUG9U8 Last fall, the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department and Broken Arrow-based Retrospec Films announced they would launch a year-long series … Continue reading Latest RoadTripOK video focuses on El Reno, Yukon

Redneck Nutz going into Uranus

Louie Keen, owner of Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store in St. Robert, Missouri, announced he acquired Redneck Nutz of Springfield, Missouri, and is moving its operations there. Appropriately enough, both places have their roots on old Route 66. Redneck Nutz confirmed the deal in a post on its Facebook page: Keen also revealed the … Continue reading Redneck Nutz going into Uranus

Pro-vegan crew will do a Route 66 trip for a reality series in Italy

The folks behind Vegani in Viaggio website for vegans later this year will undertake a Route 66 journey for a documentary-reality series Italy. The folks behind the website are Roberto Rossi (graphic designer, photographer, writer, blogger and traveler for passion and profession), Barbara Redaelli (personal trainer, an expert on vegan culture, healthy living and vegetable … Continue reading Pro-vegan crew will do a Route 66 trip for a reality series in Italy