Media: The Ultimate Route 66 Centennial Experience Starts At Mother Road Market In Tulsa

The vibrant food hall is the perfect introduction to the history, flavors, and enduring spirit of America's most famous highway.

A symbol of mobility, Route 66 still serves as a “road of flight.” And while there are countless sites to see along its lengthy path, I would argue Mother Road Market in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is one you can’t miss. At first glance, it might seem like just another food hall, but kind of like the open highway, it’s a place of endless opportunity. 

Mother Road is also a non-profit organization that was born out of founder Elizabeth Frame Ellison's desire to make it easier for people to start their own food businesses (she had a cupcake side hustle herself). Opening a restaurant of any size or cuisine isn't for the faint of heart, it requires a lot of hard work and resources, the later of which isn't always available to independent, small businesses.

Enter the Kitchen 66 program, which allows aspiring bakers and chefs to soft launch their concept, gaining experience and skills without being locked into a lease. There are distinct tracks: a Pop-Up Spot for bakers and food products, the Takeover Cafe, with rotating concepts daily, and the Takeover Cafe Residency, for longer tenures. This program has allowed many entrepreneurs to ultimately open spots of their own and in turn broaden the Tulsa food scene with fresh concepts and cuisines from around the world.

To read the full article, visit Southern Living, here!