Route 66's Quirkiest By State-- Part 3: Oklahoma and Texas

OKLAHOMA

Commerce (Allen's Conoco Fillin' Station)

Catoosa  (Blue Whale)

Foyil  ((Totem Pole Park)

Oklahoma City  (Milk Bottle Grocery)

Hydro  (Lucille's Service Station and Road House)

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TEXAS

Shamrock  (Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe)

Amarillo  (Cadillac Ranch, Big Texan Steak Ranch)

Conway  (VW Slug Bug Ranch)

Adrian  (Midpoint Cafe)

Groom  (Leaning Tower of Texas)

Cadillacs and Steak.  --RoadDog

Along66, Sept. 2021: Big Eatin' at the Big Texan

SEPTEMBER 16

Big Eatin' at the Big Texan in Amarillo, Texas.  This venerable place recently marked its 10,000th 72-ounce Steak Challenge.

The steak dinner was eaten on September 1st by John Lamons.  He finished it with just seconds to spare before the 60 minute limit expired.

This meal comes with the 72-ounce steak, salad, roll, shrimp cocktail & baked potato.  If you do not succeed, it will cost you $72.  Ouch!!

This challenge started in November 1960.

He was not the record-holder however.  It is held by 128-pound Molly Schuyler who ate a meal in twenty minutes.   NO, WAIT!!!!!!!  She ate THREE MEALS in twenty minutes.

She CONSUMED/Inhaled her first meal in 4 minutes and 18 seconds, also a record.

She is a competitive eater.

This is on You Tube.  Not for the faint of heart.  

Just Keep Your Hands and feet Away from  Her Mouth and You'll Be Okay.  --RoadDog

Along 66, September 2019: Now, That's Some Kind of Eatin', Two 72-ouncers in Less Than An Hour and That Wasn't Even the Record

SEPTEMBER 11--   Arizona woman eats not one, but TWO of those Big Texan 72-ouncers.  Unbelievable.  But, as that guy from Princess Bride would say, "Inconceivable."

But, she is a professional competitive eater named Miki Sudo who has won the Women's Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest six years in a row.  Oh yes, and she also had salad, shrimp cocktail, baked potato and roll with both meals.

But, the record for fastest meal consumed was set in 2015, when 120 pound Molly Schuyler of Nebraska ate three in just 20 minutes.  She ate the first one in just under five minutes and that beat fellow competitive Joey "Jaws" Chestnut's 8 minutes 52 seconds set in 2008.

The Big Texan's 72 ounce steak dinner in one hour began as a publicity stunt by founder Bob lee in 1962.  The Big Texan opened originally on Amarillo Boulevard (Route 66) in 1960.  It moved after the coming of I-40 in 1977.  The new place, however, turned out to be on an obscure 1920s alignment of 1966.

Hopefully the Steak Was Rare.  --RoadSteak

Along 66, May 2018: Lipton Tea Takes Over Pontiac, Illinois

MAY 26  Lipton Tea Company is taking over Pontiac, Illinois June 8-10 as part of the National Ice Tea Day.  They will be unveiling a mural and renaming Route 66 "The Lipton Highway."

In addition, they are launching their "Refreshingly Road Trippin" program.

There will be free tea to visitors.

In collaboration with Trip Advisor they are also having "2018s Route 66 Road Trip Gems."  This would be great places to eat and visit along Route 66.

Their list:

Bernardo's II Restaurant in Pontiac, Illinois
Le Roy's--  Monrovia, California
Big Texan Steak House--  Amarillo, Tx.
Britten Leaning Water Tower--  Groom, Tx.

Cozy Dog Drive-In--  Springfield, Illinois
Jiggs Smokehouse--  Clinton, Ok.
Meramec Caverns--  Stanton, Mo.
Old Riverton Store--  Riverton, Ks.

Ollie's Station Restaurant--  Tulsa
Singing Road--  Tijeras, N.M.
The Chili Parlor--  Springfield, Illinois
Westside Lilo's Cafe--  Seligman, Arizona

We stopped at Pontiac on the last day of the Illinois Route 66 Association's Motor Tour and they not only had free Lipton's Ice Tea but Bernardo's also had a huge assortment of finger foods like burgers, hot dogs and other items.

Ate and Drank My Fill.  --RoadDog

News From Along Route 66-- April 2015

APRIL 10TH--  "The Blue Whale" film will be made at its namesake in Catoosa, Oklahoma.  (I've always liked that town name.)  It has a $600,000 budget and is directed by Johnathan Rossetti and regarded as a coming of age film.  Always good to get Rt. 66's name out there.

APRIL 16TH--  The historic Milk Bottle Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, will reopen as the Prairie Gothic boutique.  The building was constructed in 1930 and is just 350 square feet and triangular.  But what makes it neat is that 11-foot tall sheet metal milk bottle that was put on top of it in 1948.  It is quite the attention-getter.  Several different businesses have operated in it.

Always good to find new uses for old buildings, especially the really neat ones like this.

APRIL 19TH--  That woman, Molly Schulyer,  who was defending her record for eating steak at the Big Texan in Amarillo, Texas, downed three 72-ounce steak meals in 20 minutes.  I'm figuring that is a record which will stand for a long, long time.  Again, she bites and swallows without chewing.  That would gag me so fast it's make me cry.

You can see a video of her attacking the steaks on You Tube.  Just don't watch it directly after you have eaten.

Just Some Stuff on Route 66.  --

News From Along Route 66-- March 2015

MARCH 22ND--  Big Texan record holder Molly Schulyer returning in April.  She set the record by eating that famous 72-ounce steak and sides in less than five minutes.  She will be returning April 19th to defend her title.  She plans to eat three of the steaks in under an hour.

There are videos of her on You Tube and they are not for the squeamish.  She essentially bites and swallows with no or very little chewing.  Then plenty of washes.

To me, that sure isn't the way to enjoy a steak.  Surely no savoring.

MARCH 24TH--  The Sears Tower in Chicago was sold for $1.3 billion.  I refused to call it by that other name and won't call it by whatever its new name is.  I'd rather go out on that skyledge and jump up and down.

MARCH 25TH--  Pictures of what shape the Tropics sign is in at Lincoln, Illinois, are very disappointing.  How could a city that aware of its Route 66 heritage let something like this happen?  Maybe they should get an online effort started to save that.

MARCH 28TH--  In Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Aztec Motel sign was taken down, the rest of the motel was torn down in 2011.  At this point it is not known what will happen to it but it might become a part of a Route 66 park.  The original Aztec Auto Court was built in 1933.

At least save part of the place.

Mother Roading It.  --RoadDog

Just Hanging Around Town, Clinton That Is-- Part 2

At J&D Steakhouse, I ordered the top sirloin steak for $9.99 which came with baked potato, Texas toast, salad and soup despite the owner's recommendation of the pork chop.  Liz got that and it was one-and-a-half inches thick and so tender you could cut it with your fork.  The owner said he makes them up for the weekend on Fridays as the special and usually runs out by Saturday afternoon.

J&D would have to be classified as a first generation steakhouse, along the lines of the old Tad's or Ronny's Steakhouses.  Second generation were the old Ponderosas and Bonanazas.  Third generation is today's Chilis, Longhorns, Ryans and Outback's.

After the great lunch, we walked around downtown Clinton and saw an old sign for Boegel's Men's Wear and the John D. Van Allen & Sons store.  This was essentially Clinton's Marshall Fields department store and was in a building designed by noted architect Louis Sullivan.  And, like any of Sullivan's building, it has a striking exterior.  It is now home to Wagner Pharmacy.

Just Hangin'.  --RoadDog

Give Me One a Dose $7.99 Steak Dinners-- Part 3

Ronny's opened next to the Oriental Theatre one year before Munic joined them.  The story goes that the original owner wanted a son, but his wife gave birth to a girl so he gave a boy's name to the restaurant at 16 West Randolph Street, calling it Ronny's Steak Palace.  However, it's biggest contribution to Chicago dining was the turkey legs at Taste of Chicago according to Munic.

At one time, there were six Ronnys downtown.  Developers bought the original Ronny's and tore it down.  Ronny's had occupied a building with a Germanic facade where the Eitel Old Heidelberg restaurant, serving German food, had been.

Munic said that every building that was a Ronny's was torn down.  Now, the one at Clark and Lake is the last one.  The reporter asked  why Munic had not retired in 1999.  "And do what?" Munic replied.  "I'm a lousy golfer, I can't play tennis, and I can't really run the marathon anymore."

Another Chicago Legend.  I Imagine Talking to Munic is Like Talking to Schaller.  --RoadDog

Give Me One a Dose $7.99 Steak Dinners-- Part 2

Here's how you get one of the dinners, essentially the same thing as at J&D in Clinton, Iowa.

First line up single file along the counter, select a T-bone or other food item by size and then slide down the counter with your tray.  Next, the cook makes it.  Minute three, your 8-ounce steak arrives with garlic bread, a baked potato that looks like it exploded and a salad.

The lunch steak wouldn't make it at one of those fancy, very-expensive steak houses.  It is USDA Utility, but actually juicy and tender for the most part, unless you get it well done.  Cuts range from 8 to 20 ounces.  Hey, and you can always use some of that house steak sauce if worse comes to worse.

Upwards of 400 steaks come off the grill each day, plus ribs, chicken and pizza.

Herman Munic, 73, is the owner, entered the steakhouse business in the late-1950s when he worked at Tad's which used to be next to the Chicago Theatre where you could get a full dinner for $1.09!!  Ronny's management got him to come to their place in 1964 to run it.

More Steak to Come.  --RoadDog

Give Me Ona Dose $7,99 Steak Dinners-- Part 1

And, in Chicago's Loop, where you can always expect to pay more.

From the July 26th Chicago Tribune "A steal deal, just like in olden days" by Kevin Pang.

I think I want to apply for Mr.Pang's job.  Go to neat old places and eat.  Just my thing.  And, I thought these steak places were long-gone, but they're not.  Spending $7.99 for a full meal, and a steak one at that, is an amazing deal in these days of the price of everything going up and salaries for most folks dropping like a rock.

This steak house in Chicago at 100 W. Randolph St (near Clark and Lake streets) still has the prices in the windows.  And..they're what the rest of us 99% can afford.  Well, perhaps 85%.

I thought these steak places were gone, except, perhaps for J & D in Clinton, Iowa.  I remember eating at Tad's Steak House in Chicago back in the 60s when a full meal cost $1.99.

The next time I'm in Chicago, I'll definitely try to eat at this place.

More to Come.  --RoadDog

Just Hand Over the Cookies and Rolls...

And, no one gets hurt.

On the way back home from Springfield, Illinois, today, we stopped at a favorite place to eat in Lincoln, Illinois.  It is the Bonanza restaurant, located on the old Route 66 bypass around town, right by the old Tropics restaurant.  You can't miss it with the big old cow statue standing out by the road.

This place is no longer a part of the Bonanza Sirloin Pit company, but started out as one.  It is now privately owned. 

For around $10 to $13 you can get an entree with choice of potato and the buffet, which gets better everytime we go.  Fantastic salad bar and main food items to eat like chicken, meatloaf, pulled pork and a whole bunch of other stuff.

Bonanzas mean a lot to me because I had my first real job out of college working at one as an assistant manager at one in Buffalo Grove.  I worked all the time and was getting so good, they were considering me a manager of my own store.  That's when the offer to teach in Round Lake came through and I accepted that.  I'd always wanted to be a teacher.

To Teach or Grill, That Is the Question.  --RoadDog

The Log Cabin in Galena, Illinois

By far our favorite place to eat in Galena, and one we've been going to for the last 36 years. This is where we ate the day after the wedding, August 26, 1973.

They still have one of those great old neon signs that hangs out over the sidewalk. When you see one of those signs, chances are very good that there will also be some outstanding food.

A Greek family bought it a year or so after we first went there and have owned it ever since. They haven't changed much, if any (well, prices of course).. Hey, why mess with something that works.

They always have a crowd when we visit as well, and, no wonder. The food is outstanding. I usually order the t-bone or catfish, but this last time I tried the Greek chicken. Good eating.

Meals come with soup or salad, rolls, a vegetable tray and potatoes. Get their hash browns for a real treat.

On the weekends, they have a person playing the piano.

I particularly like the old menu from 1936. Sure wish we could get food at those prices.

Look for the Sign. You Can't Miss It. --RoadDog