(currently out of print but available through Amazon.com)
|
|
(currently out of print but available through Amazon.com) |
A
Culinary Journey Down Route 66
In my second search for the best of Route 66 road food,
I uncovered some outstanding
regional specialties. Local food
festivals provided a fantastic window to native fare.
I also discovered rich bed and breakfast dishes for those who prefer to
meet fellow travelers in more personal settings. Some all-time favorite dishes include potent chili,
black-eyed peas, buttermilk biscuits, and sweet potato pie from the nation’s
mid-section. Deep-dish pizza from
Chicago, and Indian tacos from Gallop added further mouthwatering goodness.
I gained a new appreciation for the men and women along
the highway who made me richer by sharing their experiences, their energy, and
their love for people. They remain
true entrepreneurs of the road.
Finally, I accumulated a gigantic storehouse of memories -
memories of places and of people that had to be shared before their stories and
their businesses disappear with time. I
found warm, comfortable, unassuming stops like the Mid Point Café where Fran
Houser, the owner, has achieved her own measure of fame with the sign out front
proclaiming, “1139 miles to Los Angeles and 1139 miles t Chicago.”
Fran and her good friend, Joann Harwell, have also made their “ugly
crust” pie an unmatched slice of Route 66 road cuisine.
I rediscovered countless barbecue pit stops that beckon
travelers with unforgettable signs and mouthwatering aroma. Beans’n’Things in Amarillo sports a cow on the roof along
with terrific ribs. Cotton
Eyed Joe’s in Claremore, and Jiggs in Elk City are two Okie pit stops where
travelers will find belly satisfying chow and friendly faces.
Many other unique food experiences abound along the 66 corridor. The outdoor breakfast on the edge of Palo Doro Canyon near Amarillo or barbecue served before the nationally acclaimed outdoor production of “Oklahoma” near Tulsa, just add to a backpack filled with Americana. Route 66 remains a vital piece of 20th century history. Meet the people and experience the flavors of our nation’s most celebrated highway. And always remember that Route 66 is a journey, not a destination.
Out of print but still available through Amazon.com
THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA COOKBOOK
A CULINARY JOURNEY DOWN ROUTE 66
Released: 1997
Trade Paperback $14.95
328 pages, 6x9, black and white, 295 recipes from the road
Cooking/Travel
