TULSA — Chris Felthous spent seven years as manager at the Metro, a popular '50s-style diner along historic Route 66 — and he admits the eatery's destruction earlier this year was a big hit to this city's efforts to lure fans of the "mother road.”

But Felthous thinks he's found a new home at Ollie's Restaurant near the birthplace of Route 66.

"Route 66 and restaurants have been a part of my life for a lo...