Bagdad Cafe Fights to Reopen Kitchen After Owner's Death at 85

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 3

Bagdad Cafe remains open only for photos, souvenirs and drinks as the Route 66 landmark tries to recover from owner Andrea Pruett’s death in January and reopen its shuttered kitchen.
About 80% of the Newberry Springs cafe’s business once came from international tourists and tour buses before the pandemic, and it has not resumed meal service since reopening.
A new GoFundMe is seeking money to restore the kitchen and upgrade the septic system after years of leaks damaged the 1950s-era building; supporters separately funded a new roof and ceiling in 2024.
The Pruett family is still weighing the site’s long-term future, though the cafe continues daily operations in Route 66’s 100th anniversary year and still draws U.S. and European visitors inspired by the 1987 film.