Archive for the ‘food’ Category
August 26, 2009
A Lincoln Highway landmark closed the past two years is set to reopen. Eagle-eyed “Loungelistener” stopped on his cross-country LH trip to photograph the giant sign for Stone’s in Marshalltown, Iowa, and noticed activity at the closed restaurant. He took this photo and reported on his blog,
As I drove around under the viaduct, I could indeed see action at the restaurant. Workmen were busily scurring around, saws and hammers sounding out. There certainly was something going on.
Indeed, the Marshalltown Times-Republican reports that new owner Steve Badger will reopen on September 1:
“It has been a challenge because starting a restaurant is a very complex process, but you hate to see something that’s been part of the community for so long disappear.”
An aroma of baked goods will add to vintage ambiance ranging from cinnamon rolls, pies and cornbread; edibles will include soups and salads, sandwiches, steaks, fresh fish and diet-conscious or vegetarian foods. A featured entree will be pan-fried chicken – cooked in cast iron skillets — served with fresh mashed potatoes and gravy.
“We’re trying to provide something for everybody,” Badger said. “It’s traditional Midwest cooking.”
And everything will be homemade…. On whether Stone’s will serve dishes reminiscent of menu favorites, Badger said one thing is certain.
“Yes, we’re going to have the pie,” he laughed. “But it might only be a half-mile high.”
Tags:food, highway history, Iowa, landmark restaurant, Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown IA, Noen sign, restaurant reopening, roadside business, travel
Posted in food, highways, history, Lincoln Highway, signs, travel | 3 Comments »
August 17, 2009
At least three Lincoln Highway travelers have asked recently about the operating hours at the restored Niland’s Cafe in Colo, Iowa. I reported in my new Lincoln Highway Companion book that they were closed Monday — they are, and Tuesday too.
The cool cafe is open:
Wed thru Sat, 6:30 a.m – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Check www.colo-iowa.org for current hours by clicking the Reed/Niland Corner link at left, and then the cafe link. Don’t forget there are newly restored overnight rooms too.
Tags:2-lane America, blue highway cafe, Colo IA, cool cafe, highway hangout, highway history, Iowa, Lincoln Highway, restored cafe and motel, Road trip, travel, vacation stop
Posted in food, highways, history, Lincoln Highway, lodging, Road trip, roadside, travel | 4 Comments »
August 13, 2009
A classic diner in California was just used as the setting for a new ad for Apple, maker of computers, iPhones, and iPods. The former Truckee Diner (and before that, the Birmingham Grille when it was in PA), is now Jax at the Tracks, a 1940s diner with a retro redo. It changed owners recently and is now open from 7 am to 10 pm. A good guess might be that the ad is for a notepad computer. Apple has not yet sold one but it seems to be the coming wave in personal computing, sized between a smartphone and laptop.
According to Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog,
Amidst extreme security, yesterday Apple filmed a new ad at Jax at the Tracks, a hip 1940’s style diner in Truckee, California. Filming on location is a very interesting departure from the usual Apple TV commercials, which are studio based.
Speaking to the Sierra Sun, the owner Bud Hally said Apple wanted a “cool spot for the 20-something crowd.”
Some people think this means an ad for a new iPod, but the fact is that nobody has a clue about what this new unreleased secret product really is. Certainly, the security won’t be that high for a new variation of an existing model, but you never know with Apple.
Tags:ad filed at diner, Apple computer ad, CA, Diner, highway history, Lincoln Highway, Truckee CA, vintage diner
Posted in film/video, food, highways, history, Lincoln Highway, Road trip | 1 Comment »
August 6, 2009
Downtown Rochelle, Illinois, will hold its 12th annual Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival on August 21 – 23. Entertainment will include acts playing ’60s music, dance, karaoke, and country, plus children’s interactive music. There will be car, motorcycle, truck and tractor shows, small engine and miniature train displays, an arts and crafts show, and a Kids Zone play area. Sunday offers a Fly-In/Drive-In at nearby Koritz Field for a chance to learn about planes and radio controlled models, and at 3 pm is the annual Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival parade. For more information, contact the festival HERE or (815) 562-4189.
Tags:classic car show, festival, highway celebration, IL, Lincoln Highway, parade, Rochelle IL
Posted in food, highways, history, Lincoln Highway, Road trip, transportation | Leave a Comment »
August 5, 2009
Some people still ask if my new book Lincoln Highway Companion has been published and I’m glad to say yes, it’s available. Below is a picture from A Ride Along the Lincoln Highway producer Rick Sebak of local friend Tom Weisbecker with the book at his Isaly’s dairy store in West View, north of Pittsburgh. (And if you haven’t been to Isaly’s lately, or ever, take a trip there this week: 448 Perrysville Ave/US 19, north of Pittsburgh.)
LHC list price is $26.95 and it’s available in bookstores — if not on the shelf, they can order it for you — or get it from Amazon at a discount price of $17.35. Or get one from Tom for $19.99 and enjoy a meal while you’re there.
Tags:Amazon, highway history, Isaly's Dairy, Lincoln Highway, new book, PA, West View PA
Posted in food, highways, history, Lincoln Highway, Road trip, travel | Leave a Comment »
July 27, 2009
Lincoln Highway fan Steve Jones wrote me to mention a road food website that he manages: ridetoeat.com/. It lists nearly 1,000 eating places, some with descriptions. Steve explains below it’s not the same as a recommendation guide.
It’s not really about places to eat while on the road (that’s well-plowed ground) but more about places it is worth planning a trip around — even if it’s just a Sunday drive. It’s still a little rough, but I hope to grow it into a unique and valuable resource. The premise is motorcycle-related, but there is really nothing about the data that is bike-centric other than the tendency towards destinations that are on twisty roads.
Steve also posted the book review below to LDRider, an email list for members of the Iron Butt Assn. and other long-distance endurance motorcycle riding enthusiasts. Thanks Steve!!
Brian Butko, author of Greetings from the Lincoln Highway has a new book out called Lincoln Highway Companion.
Though its 192 pages are filled with great full-color photos on quality paper, this is no coffee table decoration designed to give you something to flip through during commercials.
It’s the ultimate detailed authority on the current and historical alignments of the Lincoln Highway, conveniently sized to fit in a tank bag or glove box (just over 8×5″).
Every mile of the Lincoln Highway is covered with detailed color-coded maps showing the following:
* Original 1913 alignments
* Intermediate alignments or sanctioned detours
* Final Alignments still in use by 1930
* Modern detours
* Gone or hard to reach
The map scale varies as needed to show meaningful detail, all the way down to 1 inch per mile.
It bursts with snippets of interesting things to see, lodging and great food along the route – but the maps are the star of the show. It is obvious that a great deal of research went into this.
The author (with whom I have no affiliation) has put together a short video highlighting the features of the book: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8liMtYjGK8
I originally bought it with the intention of putting together the “definitive” route for a Lincoln Highway Coast-to-Coast ride, but now I see there are too many variables and the decisions are just too subjective. The good news is that it gives me everything I need to choose the route I find most interesting.
I am sure some here will enjoy it as much as I am. It just came out and may not be widely available yet, but they have it in stock at Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/0811735478
Tags:biker food, destination - restaurants, eat on the road, Lincoln Highway, motorcycle, places to eat, restaurants, road food, Road trip, travel
Posted in food, highways, Lincoln Highway, Road trip, travel | Leave a Comment »
July 23, 2009
“Soup, Sin, & Salvation” — a Celebration of Restoration, is the theme for the annual dinner and auction to be held this Saturday, July 25, 2009 in St. Augustine’s former church in Austin, Nevada. St. Augustine’s is the state’s oldest Catholic church building (1866) and a popular stop for tourist along the Lincoln Highway/US 50. The church was sold to a private party who formed a nonprofit organization to restore and renovate the structure.
The event will feature:
Homemade bread and rolls
Homemade soup in a commemorative cup
Depression-era food such as Spam
Grilled steak kabobs
Rich and delicious homemade ice cream
1 pm: Mella Harmon presents:
“How Soup & Sin Saved Nevada” — Nevada during the Great Depression
2-5 pm: “Artists in Austin”
Visit area artists at fun locations around town
6 pm: Dinner and Auction in the old church!
For the first time in decades, this historic building will echo the happy sounds of people gathering!
Tickets are $39. Get more info at www.goaustinnevada.com or contact Jan Morrison (775) 964 – 1100.
Tags:Austin NV, Depression era, historic church restored, Lincoln Highway, Nevada history, summer festival, tourism
Posted in food, highways, history, Lincoln Highway, souvenirs, travel | Leave a Comment »
July 20, 2009
According to the Cedar Rapids Gazette, Curtis C. Bailey, co-owner of the Lincoln Cafe in Belle Plaine, Iowa, was murdered Sunday by his common-law wife and two other people, reportedly her son and his girlfriend. LHA director Van Becker sent the photo and alerts us that the story was reported yesterday on Cedar Rapids KCRG-TV 9 and this morning in the Gazette.
Tags:Belle Plaine IA, highway history, Iowa, Lincoln Cafe, Lincoln Highway, murder of cafe owner
Posted in food, highways, history, Lincoln Highway | 1 Comment »
July 1, 2009
Van Becker sent news that two Iowa locations celebrated “96 Years on the Lincoln Highway” on June 13-14 with two amateur radio stations operating for two days from two historic one-stop locations. Above is Bev Becker, WØWDC, LHA life member and experienced amateur radio operator taking her first turn at the mic; following is Van’s report.
The Benton County Amateur Radio Club, KØKBX, put the restored Youngville Cafe on the air operating with three transmitters on the 20, 40 and 80 meter ham bands. This is the second year for this crew and practice sure helped the results! We had 12 operators rotating through one-hour stints at the microphone.
ABOVE: Youngville Cafe, 20 miles west of Cedar Rapids, Iowa on the Lincoln Highway. Inside, an original 1928 LH marker is on display.
The Ames Amateur Radio Club, WØYL, operated from Reed-Nyland Corner in Colo, Iowa. This group experienced a slow start while installing temporary antennas in the rain. This was the first year for this group and they had respectable results and lots of fun. They also had the comfort of a fully-operating cafe for refreshments.
ABOVE: Reed-Nyland gas station, Colo, Iowa, on the Lincoln Highway.
Together, we contacted over 1,000 different stations from coast to coast, quite a few Canadian stations, and even one fellow in Scotland!
The operators had a sheet of “talking points” and LH facts to help enlighten the over-the-air listeners. All the stations contacted will receive an impressive color confirmation certificate upon receipt of their QSL (confirmation) card. Each certificate will be accompanied by a Lincoln Highway Association brochure too.
We spread the Lincoln Highway word far and wide!
Tags:amateur radio, cafe restored, highway history, Iowa, Lincoln Highway, one-stop nostalgia
Posted in food, highways, history, Lincoln Highway, museum, Road trip, roadside, travel | Leave a Comment »
June 23, 2009
Speaking of PBS producer Rick Sebak, you’ll feel you’re with him on you own Ride Along the Lincoln Highway when you read his blog. His next dozen entries will be about his trip to the Lincoln Highway Association conference in South Bend. His first two posts have not even gotten him out of Ohio as he stops and enjoys the wonders along the way. Check it out at www.wqed.org/tv/sebak/blog/.
Tags:blogging about old roads, conference, highway history, Lincoln Highway, Ohio, Road trip, Sebak
Posted in film/video, food, highways, history, Lincoln Highway, Road trip | Leave a Comment »
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