 "We're extremely excited that the Palms Grill Café has reopened for
visitors to get a taste of what Illinois Route 66 is all about,"
says Patty Ambrose, executive director of the Illinois Route 66
Scenic Byway.In addition to attractions such as Lou Mitchell's
Diner in downtown Chicago, Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket in Willowbrook
and the Cozy Dog Drive-in in Springfield, the Palms Grill Café is a
shining example of a stop along Illinois Route 66 that solidifies
its historic reputation while also connecting it to the future.
"Illinois Route 66's colorful personalities and hip, kitschy
style speak to both past and future generations," says Ambrose.
The Palms Grill Café originally opened in 1934 to serve locals
and travelers alike home-cooked meals and hold bingo games and
dances in its back room. After closing in 1960, the grill is
reopening to serve its famous blue-plate specials to visitors once
again. From fried bologna and spam to patty melts, mashed potatoes
and onion rings, the Palms Grill Café offers a wide variety of
home-cooked meals, all in a nostalgic atmosphere.
"With a town of just over 1,600 residents, it's great to have a
place that will attract visitors and travelers from miles around,"
says Bill Thomas, project manager. "Bus tours, senior groups,
families and individuals are all invited to the grand reopening. The
café will be in full swing, just like the heyday of Route 66."
Debuting its new Web site at the grand reopening at the Palms
Grill Café, the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway is providing visitors
and locals alike with a more user-friendly site that expresses a
renewed excitement along the route.
"More and more people are looking to stay closer to home for
vacations, and our new travel Web site will make it easier for them
to plan trips in their area as well as other communities in the
state," says Ambrose.
Web site visitors will have the opportunity to build their own
itineraries based on location and interest. The site will also
include photographs submitted by travelers and will eventually have
social networking capabilities for visitors to blog about their
experiences along the route.
"We're truly excited about taking a more interactive approach for
the Web site to provide visitors and locals alike a forum to share
their experiences along the route," Ambrose says.
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While in Atlanta, visitors also have the opportunity to stop at
other Illinois Route 66 attractions.
"Stop in for a piece of pie and a cup of coffee at the Country Aire
Restaurant and Market, relax in the Atlanta Route 66 Park, or take a
once-in-a-lifetime photo with a 19-foot statue of Paul Bunyan," says
Ambrose. "We offer itineraries for those with just 15 minutes of
time all the way to a full day."
To reserve a package for the Palms Grill Cafe that includes a
meal, bingo and live music, call Bill at 217-648-5077 or e-mail him
at eat@palmsgrillcafe.com.
About Illinois Route 66
Home to nearly 90 communities and stretching from Chicago to St.
Louis with more than 400 miles to discover, Illinois Route 66 is
known both as the beginning of a major transportation corridor and
as a historical piece of Americana for those looking to explore
their unique connection to the past and the future.
With the introduction of U.S. 55 in 1976, a major highway running
parallel to Illinois Route 66, many thought the route would become a
relic of the past, but renewed interest in the "Mother Road" and its
colorful, kitschy attractions are making it popular once again.
Illinois Route 66 offers itineraries targeted to a wide range of
special interest groups, whether looking to stay close to home or
taking an exciting trip on a budget. Itineraries will showcase why
Illinois Route 66 has been defined as a remarkable era in the growth
of our nation.
For more information on Illinois Route 66, including itineraries,
visit the new
www.illinoisroute66.com.
[Text from file received]
When
Interstate 55 was built, it was designed to go around small towns for
expediency. Many small towns such as Atlanta suffered from the loss
of
business the highway traffic brought in. Notice in this aerial view
how Route 66 went straight through the center of town, passing
downtown
businesses that included the Palms Grill Café.
[Aerial
photo by Jan Youngquist]
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