Brown Mug Cafe in Winslow, AZ

Simple Sign

A vintage neon sign can easily lure me to a restaurant.

But so does a homey handpainted sign like this!

Sign Combo

Actually Brown Mug Cafe has more than one sign. 

I spotted the retro brown neon sign when we stopped in Winslow, a couple of years ago. It made me want root beer. 

Winslow, Arizona

Don and I have been through Winslow a number of times. We've posed like tourists, on the corner near the flatbed Ford.

And we've caught the corner at 6 am, when there wasn't another  tourist in sight.

Third Time at La Posada

This past June, we had our third visit to Winslow. No need to see the famous corner again, but we were excited about our third stay at La Posada Hotel.

This sweet place keeps calling us back. The historic hotel was once a Harvey House Hotel. The beautifully landscaped property sits between the railroad tracks and Route 66. Just across from Brown Mug.

Lunch at Brown Mug

​It was too early to check in, when we arrived at 1. No problem killing time. We left our car in the hotel lot and crossed Route 66. 

There seemed to be quite a few vehicles parked near Brown Mug. That's always a good sign.

Another sign on the building let us know we had lots of options. Navajo tacos, menudo and chops!

​Booths & Counter

Once inside, we were welcomed by staff and invited to seat ourselves.

There were about 10 booths. Luckily 2 were empty, since the available stools at the counter looked a little cramped. 

Chips & History

As soon as we climbed into our cozy booth, we were given chips, salsa and menus.

Cheers for a menu that includes history! There was more to this little place than I would have guessed.

Lucy & Joe

Joe & Lucy Ono were the original owners of this business. I found a photo of them not far from our table. Their granddaughter Paula and her husband run Brown Mug, today.

It sounds like Joe & Lucy were a hardworking team. Joe used to work the graveyard shift for Santa Fe Railroad. He finished up just in time to head over to get the restaurant prepped so Lucy could open at 6 for breakfast.

Before 1958

​I haven't had luck finding info on the internet about this little building before Joe and Lucy started their business in the late 1950s.

But the story in the menu tells us there was a Chinese restaurant at this location. It was owned by Henry Woo until 1958. Long before that it was a saloon, in the late 1890s. Hard to picture that. Maybe this is a newer building, on the same property.

​Food!

Our server couldn't have been more pleasant. We were clearly the only non-locals in the place and she was very patient with my wishy-washy ordering.

I finally decided on the Chile Rellenos for a mere $10.50. A delicious pick!

​I was surprised to see our little feast came with a basket of sopapillas.

I don't believe anyone else in the cafe was being given instructions on how to eat them. But our server seemed excited to give me tips.

Don's Chimichanga Plate was a very decent choice for $12.75. 

Don can be picky about chicken, but he had nothing but good comments about the meat. We both liked the beans and the rice that looked like a giant meatball.

Sticky Good

I didn't clean my plate, since I had to save room for the sopapilla experience!

The fried pastry was still nice and hot. I made a mess and loved every bit.

Quick Call?
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​I finished up and headed to the restroom to wash my sticky hands.

I wanted badly to make a call, since we see fewer and fewer payphone these days. But my hands were sticky and I had no coins.

Enjoying the Decor

​The lunch crowd had sort of disappeared, so I took my time returning to the table.

I enjoyed some of the art. Bullfighters! I believe one was a velvet painting.

​There were quite a few sombreros on the wall. Most were wrapped in clear plastic.

A couple at one table saw me taking a photo and called me over.

Famous Diner
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The gentleman could tell I was a curious tourist. He wanted to point out a photo above their table.

It was hard to see the photo clearly, but the words were easy to read.

​​"HARRISON FORD SAT HERE"

I was amused! What a hoot to see this photo of a slightly younger Harrison Ford, dining at Brown Mug Cafe. I had to learn more.

When we paid our bill, I asked Carrie about the famous dining guest. She laughed and said "That was a long, long time ago!" I'm guessing that meant, before she was born.

Carrie obviously wasn't around on the day that the Star Wars actor walked into Brown Mug. But she knew that he'd flown his plane into Winslow  that day, because he needed gas. Why didn't I ask who the man was next to him?

Good Stop

So glad we gave this little cafe a try. The staff couldn't have been nicer. The food hit the spot and the prices were very reasonable!

What a treat to have this retro diner, just across the street from our historic hotel.

That convenient location was handy later that night.

We finished our dinner at La Posada's Turquoise Room. We wandered the grounds a little before turning in to our room. Then I remembered the sign. I wonder what it looks like at night? Is it still lit at nearly 9 pm? I dashed to across the hotel's parking lot and peeked across Route 66. The brown sign was glowing red! Cheers to Brown Mug Cafe!
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