2003 Hampton Inn Caravan Pics

Eat Rite-Diner The front part of the building building occupied by the Eat Rite-Diner was constructed in approximately 1908 as a donut and coffee shop for workers who worked on the many Railroad crews who occupied the area. It has been added onto at least two times and had a basement dug under the last expansion. After the last expansion it received the name "Eat Rite-Diner". Stepping through the front door is like traveling through time back to the 50's. The diner's motto is "Eat Rite or don't eat at all"
		"Eat Rite Diner" is located at the corner of Seventh and Chouteau Ave. next to the former west entrance/exit ramp of the McArthur bridge. McArthur was the second bridge built across the Mississippi between St. Louis, MO and East St. Louis, IL. It's no longer in use as a motor vehicle bridge. When Route 66 first passed over the McArthur bridge, U.S. Routes 40 and 50 also used that route. Now as in the past the diner is within walking distance to Busch Stadium, the Jefferson Expansion Memorial grounds, the Arch and major hotels and business buildings. With about a dozen stools and no tables, business keeps the cook busy with customer orders. Carry-outs are fitted between in-house orders. At lunch time additional help appeared from the back supply room to assist with serving the clientele. Parking around the building accommodates approximately 15 vehicles.
On Friday morning, June 27, 2003 a team of about two dozen Hampton Inn sponsored Route 66 preservationists attacked the faded outside walls of the "Eat Rite Diner", to brighten and flow a new coat of blue and white paint upon its historic walls. Hampton Inns had chosen the Diner as one of 66, Route 66 Icons, to refurbish the exterior and then install the distinctive Hampton Inns Caravan "Roadside attraction sign". It reads, *EAT RITE-DINER, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI* *Established in the 1940's the Eat Rite-Diner is one of the few nostalgic Route 66 diners left for great burgers and a friendly atmosphere*