Grants microbrewery offers free food for Nike items

  A microbrewery along Route 66 in Grants, New Mexico, is offering free food to customers if they donate Nike-brand items they no longer want. A few days ago, sports-apparel company Nike launched an ad campaign featuring former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who began taking a knee during the national anthem two years … Continue reading Grants microbrewery offers free food for Nike items

Historic Dew Chilli Parlor site in Springfield is closing

The historic Dew Chilli Parlor site a short distance from Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, closed Friday because of traffic and parking issues. Two other Dew Chili sites -- including one on old Route 66 -- remain open in the city. The site at 1216 S. Fifth St. had operated there since 1954. Other Dew … Continue reading Historic Dew Chilli Parlor site in Springfield is closing

New farm operation complements Funks Grove Maple Sirup

A new organic farm run by three members of the Funk family is bringing new and complementary products to the sixth-generation Funks Grove Maple Sirup off Route 66 in Shirley, Illinois. Katie and Jonathan Funk and with her fiance, Jeff Hake, started Funks Grove Heritage Fruits and Grains. They don't plan to supplant Funks Grove Maple … Continue reading New farm operation complements Funks Grove Maple Sirup

Longtime owner of Jamil’s restaurant in Tulsa dies

Tyrone Elias, owner of the landmark Jamil's restaurant in Tulsa for about 40 years, died Friday after a short illness. He was 80. Jamil's, which sits off Interstate 44 (aka Oklahoma 66) in Tulsa, boasted other ties to the Mother Road during its history. According to an obituary in the Tulsa World: Elias was born … Continue reading Longtime owner of Jamil’s restaurant in Tulsa dies

Minerva Candy Co. in Webb City reopens after long hiatus

The nearly century-old Minerva Candy Co. in downtown Webb City, Missouri, recently reopened after a years-long hiatus. Charles and Malinda Spencer, formerly of Lee's Summit, Missouri, reopened the store in April at 12 S. Main St. as Spencers' Sweet Call at Minerva, reported the Ozarks Alive website. Complete with blue and white tiles, warm woodwork … Continue reading Minerva Candy Co. in Webb City reopens after long hiatus

Mitla Cafe featured in Netflix’s “Ugly Delicious” episode

The historic Mitla Cafe in San Bernardino, California, plays a vital role in the "Tacos" episode of the Netflix-produced "Ugly Delicious" documentary food series. The show stars chef David Chang and co-host Peter Meehan "on a mouth-watering, cross-cultural hunt for the world's most satisfying grub." The "Tacos" episode embarks on usual destinations such as Mexico … Continue reading Mitla Cafe featured in Netflix’s “Ugly Delicious” episode

Giant cashew among the proposals for downtown Springfield

A developer proposed building of a giant cashew near downtown Springfield, Missouri. It's not a joke. The Springfield News-Leader reported Mat Burton of the Vecino Group recently made the pitch for the art installation at Idea Commons, an area between downtown, which carried an early alignment of 66, and Chestnut Expressway. Missouri State University, the … Continue reading Giant cashew among the proposals for downtown Springfield

Cozy Dog Drive-In offering its own sodas

The Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois, is famous for its Cozy Dog, reputedly the forerunner of the modern-day corn dog. Now it is selling four flavors of soda in bottles featuring the Cozy Dog logo. It offers cola, diet cola, root beer and diet root beer. The restaurant announced the new offerings on its … Continue reading Cozy Dog Drive-In offering its own sodas

Route 66 figures prominently in Chinese-food documentary

At least two restaurants on Route 66 were featured in "The Search for General Tso," a 2014 documentary about the rise of Chinese cuisine in America. The Route 66 town of Springfield, Missouri, also figures prominently. A total of only 13 theaters screened the film upon its early 2015 release, so it barely made a … Continue reading Route 66 figures prominently in Chinese-food documentary

Fifty years of making fried onion burgers on Route 66

Marty Hall has spent decades working at not one, but two notable restaurants along Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma, that specialize in fried onion burgers. Hall has owned Sid's Diner since 1989. Before that, he began his restaurant career barely in his teens at Johnnie's Grill, also on Route 66 in El Reno. All … Continue reading Fifty years of making fried onion burgers on Route 66