Category: 0 New Mexico

Owl Bar & Cafe

6/2/2019

Lunch Stop in San Antonio, New Mexico

Don and I don't usually stop at bars during the day, especially when we're on the road.

Curious Story

But Don had read a little something about this place that had us both scratching our heads. The curious trivia had to do with what lead to their well-known Green Chile & Cheese Owl Burger. We knew we had to make a stop on our way to Albuquerque!

Odd Building

Our road trip route took us right to the small town, in the center of New Mexico. We pulled off the highway and found the little bar we'd heard about.

There were quite a few vehicles parked outside the brown and tan, stucco building. But even in bright light, the place looked a bit intimidating. There were no windows to peek through, before entering.

The flapping flag and serious looking owl, made me worry that we might be walking into a local men's club. The door just past the sign, looked like the kind you'd enter from the alley. But the story behind the Owl Cheeseburger just drew us in.

Entrance

Just though the door we found a small waiting area that made up for the mysteriously blank exterior. Photographs and articles covered the plywood walls. A stuffed owl looked like he was ready to land on my head. A rack of bubble gum machines made me feel less intimidated.

Where to Sit?

The bar was a bit more crowded, (than photo) when we first entered. About 3 older women rushed back and forth behind the bar, serving more food than drink.

Dollar Booths

The booths looked pretty iconic and it was tempting to choose one for a cozy lunch. There were dollar bills and personal notes, tacked to the paneling inside each booth. I learned later that the business gathers them up periodically and donates to charity.

Bar With a History

The 25 foot mahogany bar was purchased shortly after the Owl Bar opened in 1945. Frank and Dee Chavez started the business in Dee's father's grocery store. They bought the 1880's Brunswick-Balk Bar from a famous San Antonio family.

It turns out that tiny town is the birthplace of Conrad Hilton... as in Hilton Hotels. The lovely bar that I failed to photograph well, was first in a rooming House/saloon, owned by C. Hilton's father. Frank and Dee bought the undamaged front bar, after a fire destroyed much of the rooming house. It took 2 days to carefully moved the bar 2 miles, to their roadhouse bar.

Owls Behind the Bar

Don and I sat on our stools staring at the crazy collection of owls behind the bar. I asked "Leo" our server if she had any favorite owls in the place. "Oh there are so many of them. I don't really have a favorite, but there are some real cute ones." I had many more questions, but the women were far too busy. I held my breath while one woman rushed behind me, carrying 6 plates of burgers.

The Owl Burger

Leo served us up a couple of famous burgers while we pondered their history. The cheeseburgers made with roasted Hatch green chiles go back to around 1945. In my distorted photos, one burger looks huge and the other tiny. Actually they were a perfect medium size with gigantic flavor.

"Prospectors" at the Bar

Our cheeseburgers were as spicy and fresh tasting as we'd read about. But the real fun was imagining the people who first ate these famous burgers.

In 1945 some special customers talked Frank Chavez into buying a grill and serving food. The so called "prospectors" were a group of temporary "regulars" who were working in the area. The men who yearned for food, weren't ranchers or cowboys, they were physicists, who were involved in activating the famous Trinity Site explosion. It was odd and eerie to imagine these men sitting at the bar, where we ate our burgers. How out of place they must have seemed at first. I wonder if the bar drinks ever caused a secret or two to slip.

Wandering

My trip to the restroom was entertaining. I found a back dining room that had more booths and more owl decor. The little hallway to the restrooms, had a rather dramatic arched entrance... and more framed owl art. The Ladies Room extra quite bright, with colorful, owl murals. I was a bit thrown by the lack of privacy between toilets. I found that downright amusing!

Owls

I returned to my stool and studied a little more owl art before we headed off. I wish I could have talked to the older man beside me. Maybe he knew people who had stories about the nuclear bomb, that was detonated just 28 miles away in 1945.

"Here It Is"

As we headed to the car, I looked at the building and tried to imagine how this rambling building could have been a grocery store plus bar. If only Rowena Baca had been there. She inherited The Owl from her parents, Frank and Dee. She was a child back when the Owl Burger was born, so I imagine she has some stories.

It was a yummy and interesting road trip stop, for sure! We had lots to think about, as we got back on the road.

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El Rialto in Las Vegas, NM

4/12/2019

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Dinner in Vegas!

I've seen a lot of vintage postcards showing Las Vegas, with neon signs, glittery casinos and glam pools. This is a postcard from the cute place where we ate dinner in Las Vegas, New Mexico! No neon or glam decor shown in these photos. But, the postcard looks vintage and the restaurant itself looked pretty vintage, when we visited in 2017.

The Plaza

In 2017, Don and I stayed at The Plaza Hotel. No, we weren't at the ritzy Plaza in NYC... we were in Las Vegas. We weren't in the gambling Vegas, we were in New Mexico! The Nevada and New York locations would have been very entertaining, but this overnight was all about easy. We walked out of our sweet historic hotel and strolled across the plaza to dinner.

El Rialto

The Garcia Family has been running El Rialto since 1975. They've had some time to accumulate some curious things for their windows. I have no idea about the age of the building, but once inside, the high, pressed tin ceilings, hinted at old.

Busy on July 3

It was the day before the holiday, so there was a weekend energy to the restaurant. Most of the tables were taken up with large groups of locals, many with children.

Big Outfits Big Meals

Don and I obviously dressed for dinner. I don't think our shirts or jewelry fooled anyone into thinking we were locals. However, our server said she loved my squash blossom necklace. She said her grandmother had lots of turquoise and she hoped to get turquoise, one day. Don's bolo tie got noticed on our walk to dinner. A very polite panhandler asked for a quarter. Don gave him a dollar and then received a thank you, along with positive words! "Nice bolo tie!" We hoped there was no sarcasm in his voice.

Eating and Watching

Each of our piping hot meals was served on 2 thick plates. I ate my taco, tamale and relleno while keeping an eye on the busy kitchen. It was quite entertaining.

Don had chicken enchiladas and filled me in on the happenings in both rooms. He had a good view of many woven rugs, displayed on the wall. One had a large "R" in the center. Was that for el Rialto?

The Garcias

I studied a framed photo before we left. I don't know if we met any of the Garcia family that night. It was too busy to bother anyone with questions. If we'd had some chatting time, I would have asked how the restaurant got its name. Rialto makes me think of the bridge in Venice.

Shopping

There were some curious lamp creations for sale and a t-shirt or two. We could have completed our meal with a purchase. But we headed off, with full stomachs and empty hands.

Quiet Plaza

We headed across the plaza to our hotel. It was fun to imagine the little city, once a booming railroad town in the early 19th century. After WWII, the town grew quiet. We may have missed out on the excitement of a bigger city, but we made it back to the hotel, just in time for karaoke!

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La Posta de Mesilla in New Mexico

4/5/2019

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Lunch on the Butterfield Trail!

A year ago, Don and I passed through the sleepy town of Mesilla, in New Mexico. We had heard about the restaurant, La Posta. I was eager to eat a little Mexican food, in a 160+ year old building. The stucco structure also happens to be part of the only station that remains standing, on the old Butterfield Stagecoach Line.

The Beginnings

The compound was first constructed in the 1840's. Ten years later, Sam and Roy Bean (yes, the judge) operated a freight and passenger service line from the compound. After the Civil War, La Posta became an important stop on the Butterfield Stagecoach Line. By the late 1800's, Mesilla was a lively wild west town and The Corn Exchange Hotel opened up within the compound.

Katy's Corner

The hotel business ended over 100 years ago, but La Posta Restaurant opened in 1939. Katy Griggs Camunez started serving food in the NE corner of the compound. There were only 4 tables, the floors were dirt and there was no running water, but her business grew.

Today, there are a lot of corners in all the rooms that make up the 17,000 square foot business. I'm not sure which was the corner where Katy began. But the colorful, cozy rooms all felt festive!

Stucco, Tile & Brick

Luckily we arrived early for lunch and missed the crowds. I imagine they get a tour bus or 2, now and then.

The first thing that I noticed when we entered, was the fountain. I do love a fountain!

Then my eyes wandered to the colorful tile work and brick floors. The stucco walls must be a couple feet thick!

Trees and Cages

There was a lot of wildlife happening in the main entrance of La Posta. There seemed to be trees growing up towards the ceiling... and cages...

... the cages were filled with parrots and tanks held fish, including 1 Red Pirranha. A bold sign warned us to keep hands out!

Bird Room

I didn't count the rooms, but there were many. Our hostess took us to our table and I glanced longingly at a room filled with tropical bird decor. There were colorful birds in the paintings and parrots hanging from the ceiling. The skylights and plant growth made the room feel like a jungle. The skeleton on the balcony added a different twist.

Paper Flowers and a Corner Kiva

We passed another room that looked inviting. The entrance showed the thickness of the walls. A corner fireplace made the space look cozy, even in July.

A couple sat beside a window with bright, paper flowers hanging above! Over the doorway I noticed carved figures and a painted mask. It looked exactly like a mask my dad bought in Mexico years ago! So many surprises!

Window and Giant Mask

One wall, felt like stage set. The giant mask made me of think Greek Theatre. The window with shutters and flowers made me expect to hear opera, from a singer on the balcony. I would love to know the story about this curious/whimsical decor.

Cantinas

There were 2 cantinas at La Posta. I peeked in and felt tempted. But I don't usually drink a Margarita before noon.

Beams and Color

My eyes tried to take it all in. The wall colors, the log ceiling beams, the flowers and rustic shutters.

Our Table

We didn't end up in a cozy corner room or a 2-story space with skylights. Our room was in the center where I could see all around and watch the guests coming and going.

Sisters Enjoy

Don and I relaxed at our cute table with its decorated oilcloth. I couldn't help but smile at the table of nuns nearby. They seemed pretty animated and chatty and they did not have margaritas at their table.

We were on the road so no margaritas for us either, but we did order a feast.

Chimichanga for Me

I for some reason ordered a bean chimichanga. The rice, beans cheese and sauces were all decent, but my main course was a bit dry. Or maybe I was just too full from pigging out on chips.

Enchiladas

Don enjoyed his Sour Cream Enchilada Plate with chicken. He had no complaints.

Time to Wash Up

After chowing down, I needed a good handwashing... which means a trip to the Ladies Room. I could see a lamp's glow welcoming me, as I passed the fountain.

Pink!

No one appreciates a kitschy Ladies Room as much as I do! The door decoration was beyond lovely. I stepped inside and found a sitting area, worthy of the title Powder Room. The walls were the color of bubble gum and the cushioned chairs had heart-shaped backs. I so wished I'd come with a lady friend, so we could powder our noses, then sit a spell and do a little gossiping.

Delightful Details

I'm not making fun of this bathroom. I would be truly heartbroken if I returned and they had remodeled. The stall doors looked like a decorated cake! The sink area had some tricky hidden lighting. The tile had some fancy trim that couldn't be missed! Love, love, love it!

Old Mesilla Plaza

Besides dining rooms, cantinas and outdoor patio, La Posta also had a number of shops. They actually sold some lovely things, but Don and I decided to do our post dining meandering elsewhere. We wandered over to Old Mesilla Plaza.

We spotted our party of Sisters on the steps of San Albino Catholic Church. They took turns taking cell phone photos of each other and I regretted that I didn't think to run over and offer to take a photo of the group. That would have tied up our road trip dining adventure, very nicely!

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Comet II Drive-In in Santa Rosa, NM

2/23/2019

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Lunch Stop on Route 66

Don and I made a u-turn when we spotted this red carport, with neon accents. It at least looked the part, for our road trip lunch stop, on Route 66.

New or Old?

It was hard to tell the age of the building. It didn't look as worn as some of the motels and gas stations on the Route, in Santa Rosa. The brown stucco was smooth and the the retro, painted mural wasn't peeling. But the spirit of the place, felt old.

Best Mexican Food in Town

Then I spotted this odd little building in back. I loved the rough stone and painted cinderblock, the weathered door and the accent of live cactus! Could this have been the original building?

Feels Like a Diner

We headed in and were invited to sit anywhere. We chose a booth near the counter, where I sat facing a large framed photo of a cowgirl.

Main Dining Area

Don's seat faced out towards the main dining room. There was a good crowd of locals seated in the blue vinyl chairs when we first arrived. By the time I snapped this photo, most of the men in cowboy and trucker hats, had already departed.

Since 1927

The menu told us the Martinez Family had owned the restaurant since 1927.

I was curious about the restaurant's name and asked our server. She said the original Comet Diner had burned down in the 1990's. That explained the "II". But, Comet still sounded pretty modern for 1927 and the Comet II felt and looked older than the 1990's.

Pie for Lunch?

Before ordering, I saw an order of pies come out of the kitchen to cool. I popped up to take a photo and that seemed to amuse the old couple sitting nearby. I told the woman we were from Houston, when she asked. She seemed concerned, since she'd heard there'd been a recent tornado... maybe she meant hurricane.

I asked where they were from and the woman waved towards the window. "Oh, I'm from the apartments." Then she gestured towards the elderly man. "He lives in the motel." I asked what was good on the menu and was told I needed to order the Baby Back Ribs. "They are the best!"

Northern New Mexico Cuisine

We didn't order ribs and Don was craving a burger, but I went for the Mexican Special of the day. What a mix of flavors! I was told the restaurant made 5 different homemade chiles a day!

I loved reading the menu description of all the people who have influenced the local cuisine... "Native American, Mexican, Spanish immigrants, sheep herders, trappers, Jewish merchants, Eastern carpet baggers..."

Johnny Martinez

I was pretty excited when I saw a man with a white apron and flashy bolo-tie, making the rounds. He was welcoming all the locals and he sat down to chat with a few, at their tables.

He stopped to greet us and we raved about the food and complimented his bolo tie.

"Oh, this was my grandfather's badge!" He seemed delighted we had noticed. He said it was from 1916, when his grandfather was a New Mexico Ranger. I wish we could have heard more stories!

Old Pics

When we checked out at the front desk, I studied some old photos and wondered more about this man who must have taken over the business from his parents.

I recognized Johnny, with his dark hair and mustache in this photo.

Don paid up and I looked for more clues about the restaurant's history.

If Mr. Martinez had not disappeared into the kitchen, I would have asked a lot more questions.

Sheepherder?

I noticed this little statue holding a sign as we headed out. "The Best Sheepherding Camp Cook to Ever Come Out of Pintada Canyon!"

What did that mean? I had spotted something in the menu about this. Had Johnny been a sheepherder's cook before he took over his parent's restaurant?

I looked Johnny up on the internet and learned little. One write up said restaurant owner was part Native American and part Mexican... nothing about sheepherder cook. I had missed my chance to ask Johnny my own questions.

Next Time

We headed out of town on Route 66, thinking about our yummy-curious lunch. I spotted the Sun 'n Sand Motel and decided we might just have to return to Santa Rosa some day. A night at this fine Route 66 motel would give us an addition to the Notable Night List... and we could have another meal at Comet II!

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Earl's Family Restaurant in Gallup, NM

2/16/2019

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Route 66 Breakfast... A Year Ago

On a cold February morning, we had breakfast at a 72-year-old restaurant. Well, actually it was 71-years-old... when we ate at Earl's, a year ago.

Warming Up & Waking Up

Don and I stopped at Earl's, while on a road trip last February. It was 14 degrees that morning, when we pulled into the parking lot off Historic Route 66.

We were given a booth in the back corner and a carafe of hot coffee for our table. In moments we were warm and awake and ready to read up on a little history. I love a paper placemat with local history.

Family Owned Since 1947

We read up on the "Land of Enchantment" and studied the menu. The Fried Egg & Bologna Sandwich was tempting...

The Smith Family has owned Earl's since 1972. The original owner must have been a decent guy, since they kept his name all these years. The Smiths must also be pretty decent, since they have worked closely with the Native American community. Local artisans are invited to sell their Native American jewelry and art at the restaurant.

1967

Earl's opened as a hamburger place, about 20 years before this postcard was sold. Back in 1927 there were only 4 stools and 2 booths. The restaurant was larger, by the time Earl's was selling pancakes and Mexican food, along with burgers.

I'm guessing this image is from around 1967. That was when Sharon Smith started as a waitress at Earl's. She eventually worked her way up and bought the restaurant, on a handshake. She and her two sons still run the restaurant, today.

Back in the Corner

I was glad for our corner booth in the back, where I could take in the whole place. Over the years the space has grown and today there is seating for 382 customers. Most of them were locals, on the morning when we dined.

Happy Diner

Don was pretty pleased with his Spinach and Monterey Jack Omelet. I didn't go for the bologna, but I did have Earl's Famous Biscuits & Gravy, with my scrambled eggs.

Vendors

Part of the Earl's Experience is being open to the vendors who wander through the restaurant. We never felt any kind of intrusion. We always took a quick look and offered a compliment, with our "No thank you."

It was interesting to see the artisans, graciously and quietly strolling through the large space. The majority of diners were Native American locals, who seemed to know one another. None seemed to be buying, but they were all pleasant to those selling.

Long Counter

On the way to checking out, I walked by the dining counter. A large window gave a peek at the fast order cooks.

Near the Counter

We paid our check at the counter, near the exit. I read a sign announcing the next breakfast meeting for the the Kiwanis Club. Then I noticed a few more similar signs.

Obviously Don and I have not been seeking out the best dining adventures. If we played this right, we would have arrived hours earlier, for the weekly Toastmaster Breakfast at 6:30 am. The sign said, "Visitors Welcome!" Now that would have been interesting.

Shopping

Before we stepped out, I paused to look at a few earring displays. I was more than happy to buy 2 pairs for $5. each.

Selling in the Cold

There were just a few vendors set up outside on that frigid morning. I hoped they had a good system for rotating with the inside vendors.

Hopefully the sun came through at some point!

Good-Bye Earl's

Our quick breakfast stop on Rt 66, was memorable. The place may have changed a bit since travelers first stopped for burgers 70+ years ago, but our visit was still a step back in time!

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Stop and Eat Drive In New Mexico

10/17/2018

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Road Trip Dining in New Mexico!

Don and I were traveling through New Mexico in September.

We weren't hungry for lunch yet, but Don suddenly grew worried.

"We'll be out of New Mexico in less than 2 hours and we never tried a Frito Pie!" (Supposedly, this food delight was invented in NM) I quickly searched the internet and found the perfect place!

Since 1967

I was pretty delighted when we pulled in the lot! It looked like the iconic drive-in hadn't changed much, since it opened in 1967. Although there was no curb service, we could have eaten in the car, under any of the shady roofs. But we'd had enough car time.

Walk Up Window

We parked and headed to the walk up window. A smiling face peered out, so I asked if I could take a photo.

The cheery person answered, as she moved away from the window...

"Sure! Take as many as you like... just not of me!" The good humored woman teased another employee, to pose for my photo. I could tell we were going to have some fun.

Busy Kitchen

After snapping the window pic, Don and I headed for the door. We wanted to eat inside where all the action was. There were at least 5 people working in the tiny kitchen behind the counter.

Photos on Display

Alma, who was the first to greet me in the window, welcomed us. "Be right with you!" That gave me a minute to study the display of framed photos. When Alma turned to take the order, she pointed with enthusiasm. "Those are my parents."

Cars at the Drive-In

Jeannette, who had played along and posed in the window, was also glad to see me admiring the photos. "That's a picture of my car! Last week we had a big group of low riders that stopped here." There were a few car photos, so I'm not sure if this is her car
.

Kitchen Talk

Don and I announced that we had come, to sample a Frito Pie! The kitchen seemed eager to help us out.

Luckily there was a short lull, with no new diners arriving. While our order was prepared, we had lots of time for kitchen banter. Gerald, (who is Alma's sister) teased from the grill, when I asked to take some photos. "No!" He answered with a lame scowl. Then he smiled as big as his Dad, in the photo.

Want to Buy a Restaurant?

The activity behind the counter was loud and playful. Gerald pretended to be annoyed when I asked for another photo, since the first one was blurry. He asked more than once if we wanted to buy the restaurant. He hammed it up, as if he'd had enough of the stresses of ownership. But Gerald and the rest of the crew seemed to be having a pretty good time. I wasn't convinced they would sell.

Frito Pie Time

Suddenly our Frito Pie was handed to us in a paper bag. We chose 2 of the 10 red stools and got ready for our feast. We said hello to our fellow diners, hoping to strike up conversation and continue the fun. But they answered my question with one word, "California." Clearly they were not about the whole experience. We left them alone.

The Pie

Don and I grinned at each other as we opened the bag and pulled out a Styafoam cup and a paper bundle, secured with a toothpick.

I wondered why our feast wasn't being served in a Fritos bag.

I pulled off the lid and pushed the spoon down, past some melted slices of cheese. How curious. When I lifted the spoon, it held a soupy mixture of red chili, cheese and a few Fritos, that were just beginning to soften. Hmm? We could have added shredded lettuce and tomatoes, but we were quickly starting to enjoy the "soup" just as it was. This hardly seemed like a pie of any kind. The crazy goodie in a cup, was pretty yummy. We passed it back and forth. "I like how the Fritos are absorbing the chili!" "This tastes so much better than it looks!"

On Our Way

Before heading out, we made sure to let the whole crew know that we'd enjoyed our Frito Pie and our visit. There was a little more chatter... about the Houston Astros... about some of the favorite guests who have visited the drive-in... about the summer weather...

By the time we got in the car, a new wave of diners had arrived. Whether they were regulars or travelers, I hoped that they would appreciate the place like we did.

It's always nice to see a happy, family owned business! When Gerald and Alma's parents opened up over 50 years ago, I wonder if they guessed their kids would be running the place in 2018. I would love to have heard some stories about the siblings earliest memories at the drive-in. Maybe next time!

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Lunch in Pie Town, New Mexico

7/18/2018

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Gatherin' Place Cafe

Today, it's about 100 degrees in Houston. I'm thinking back to a cozy lunch last February, in Pie Town, New Mexico!

Road Trip to California

I heard about Pie Town a few years ago and I made a mental note. So last winter when Don and did a TX to CA road trip, I was pretty excited to study the map and realize we could go a little off-route, between Truth or Consequences, NM and Gallup.

Open!

The weather was a little worrisome, but the winding drive on US 60 was scenic. Luckily, one of the three pie-related cafes was open.

A Welcome Truck

The old truck outside of Gatherin' Place was a pretty good reminder that we'd made it to Pie Town. Evidently the town of under 200, got its name because of a bakery that served up pie to travelers, back in the 1920's. Pie is still pretty much what the town is known for.

The Bakery Door

There were two doors on the front porch. The door on the right took us into the bakery where 3 women greeted us, while their flour covered hands worked at various tasks.

Eating Room

We stepped into the other room which held 3 community tables. An older couple from Iowa was finishing up their pie. We chatted a little road trip talk, until they headed off. Then we had the place to ourselves.

Snowed In?

We kept an eye out the window, watching the snow. We worried a little over the drive ahead, but also figured this would be a pretty good place to get snowed in. Not only did the place have pies to last for days, but each table had a few games. We could have played Cribbage and Checkers, into the night.

Cowboy Bob

Bob the Cook, popped up in the window when our food was ready. He seemed pretty eager to come out and chat since there were no other food orders.

Chat Break

Bob didn't grow up in Pie Town. He told us he sold his ranch and retired to Pie Town, where his wife worked as a school teacher.

Somewhere in the conversation, Bob mentioned that he usually wore a gun. Hmm? The town seemed safe enough to me. But, I guess the gun was more about completing his outfit, than safety. "They wanted me to wear it when I started working here. But it was just too heavy." He laughed.

Chili and Cornbread

Don ordered chili, which seemed like the perfect food for a snowy day. Bob did a good job. The chili had big chunks of meat and the cornbread was fresh.

I ordered a baked potato, which is my comfort food of choice. We saved room for pie.

Pie Waitress

I was excited to know our waitress was actually from Pie Town. She didn't have much to tell us about the town, because there wasn't much to tell. She was mostly excited about the weather. "It's been so dry. We need the moisture!"

Small Pies

We had about 25 pie flavors to choose from, but only one size. I kind of loved the mini size, which is good for people like me who love a good crust!

We split a caramel-apple pie and got a chocolate-cherry to take on the road. Both were fresh out of the oven, rolled out on the cooling cart!

Yum!

Bye Pie Town!

Five months later, I'm still thinking about that snowy visit to Pie Town. I can't believe we got to spend a cozy time chatting over chili and pie, with a few welcoming people. We also had just enough snow to make it fun! We faced no travel issues after we got back on the road.

Yay for Pie!

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La Placita, in Albuquerque

5/25/2016

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Food, History and a Fun People Encounter!

In the heart of Albuquerque's historic Old Town, sits a sweet little house with a bunch of dining rooms. Don and I visited last September and had a fine time!

The Cookbook Link

Once again, we came across a dining option by browsing through one of our vintage Ford Treasury cookbooks. This one from 1950, features cafes and dining rooms (with recipes) from 48 states.

On our 4-week road trip last fall, we made sure to pack all 4 books. It's always an adventure, tracking down a featured eatery that still exists!

Dating Back to the 1700's

The restaurant in our book was housed in what was once a hacienda belonging to Don Manuel Armijo and his family. The rambling, Pueblo-Spanish style building sits across from the Plaza that was once the bustling center of life in the 1700's.

1935

This is how the casa looked in 1935, long after the Armijo Family left. The second story was evidently added to the structure around 1872, when one of the daughters got married and needed a dramatic stairway.

Under the Portal

When we arrived last fall, the long portal was offering shade for the Native American vendors selling their crafts. We took a peek, but moved towards the door near the corner... hungry for lunch.

Memorable Features

The building was divided into 6 dining rooms, with hints of what the old home must have been like. I took a good look at the classic stairway that was imported from Spain, after the second floor was added. This allowed the young bride an impressive way to show off her 30-foot wedding train.

I asked if we could be seated in the dining room with the tree, since I'd seen it in the almost cartoonish cookbook illustration. The tree room had once been the courtyard. It was enclosed with a skylight back in the thirties when La Placita opened.

Windows and Doors

Our young waiter, Matt was happy to seat us at a table on the raised terrance beside the tree. The nearby window once gave a peek inside the house. Now the glass was covered in painted flower designs. The doorway into the next dining room revealed the 4-inch thick walls. I wonder how many coats of paint have gone on that wood trim.

Menu and Book

I loved the vintage photos on the menu. It could have been the same menu cover given to the writer/ illustrator who visited the restaurant over 65 years ago, for the Ford cookbook. The book's recipe for Sopapillas called for lard and the illustration showed a smaller tree. But at least I found sopapillas on the menu. Often restaurants no longer serve the recipes that are featured.

Hidden Fireplace

The illustration showed a fireplace covering half the wall. I had to hunt a bit for that fireplace, but I found it.

Corner Fireplace

There were corner fireplaces in many of the rooms. These had once been used for "top of the stove" cooking, while the baking had been done outside in cone-shaped, mud ovens. This fireplace behind the bar was used for stacking wine carafes.

Dining With a Tree

For a while no one else was in our dining room. I had expected tons of tourists in this festive part of town. But eventually some others diner arrived and became interested in the cookbook they saw on our table.

Cottonwood Tree

The bricks surrounding the tree trunk were beginning to buckle. We laughed with our dining neighbors about how small the tree looked in the book.

The trunk today, looked to be about 4 feet in diameter. The branches lifted up through a metal portion of the skylight. The branches above the roof, swayed in the breeze and cast odd shadows in the room. A leaf or two had managed to drop onto the brick floor.

Food

I had to save room for sopapillas, so I had a salad and shared Don's enchilada plate. The plate was piping hot and spilling over with flavorful sauces, rice, beans and cheese. The most fun part of the

meal was hearing from Matt that many recipes are still used from the day when La Placita first opened in 1931. The same family still runs the restaurant.

Dessert!

I obviously was dressed for my dining adventure on this day. Luckily I didn't burn myself on the scalding little pillows off goodness. And I also managed to keep the drippy honey off my embroidered blouse... bought 20 years ago at a thrift shop and used for very special occasions. What a yummy and sticky treat!

Our Waiter, Matt

I was delighted when Matt saw our cookbook and laughed. He actually recognized it! He said he had been working at La Placita for 10 years, starting in high school. He was sad that his days with the La Placita family might be coming to an end soon. He had just graduated from college

He couldn't rave enough about the family who owns the restaurant. His favorite working memories revolved around Christmas and the festive decorations and the families who came every year on Christmas Eve and posed beside the tree. It made me want to come back in December.

Best Server on Trip

Matt showed us around a little before we left. We told him that we were reaching the end of our 4-week road trip and he was being highly considered as our favorite server of all the places where we'd dined. He disappeared and came back with a great little book that included La Placita history and recipes. He chuckled as he handed it to us. "Not that I'm trying to sway you with your decision!" He grinned as we read where he had signed the inside of the book...

"From: Matt (Top Candidate for Best Server Award) September 24, 2105

Yep, Matt won!

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Atomic Lunch in Los Alamos, NM

9/30/2015

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September 2015

I made Don take a little detour on our western road trip. We didn't exactly have a dining adventure in Los Alamos, but we picked up some lunch there.

Why Los Alamos?

I was curious. I had just read the book, The Wives of Los Alamos. I was curious about this community that grew on the top of a desert plateau, where wives mostly raised families and husbands secretly created the atomic bomb. As we pulled into town, I made Don stop so I could take a photo and text it to my book club. Then I got on TripAdvisor, and looked for a place to catch a quick lunch.

Chili Works

In a town that now has a population of over 17,000, you'd think we could have come up with something better. But it was drizzling and there was some frustrating traffic and we were hungry. So we trusted the good reviews for this hole in the wall joint and headed over for carryouts.

Creepy?

Well, sort of. But there were a lot of regulars rushing in and out. Some looked like office workers carrying lunch for a crowd. That's usually a good sign.

Through Screen Doors

I like a place with screen doors. The green one lead into the tiny ordering place. The other door opened to a small, crowded patio.

Placing My Order... Quickly

The man at the tiny window did not look patient. He was not in the mood for any hesitation, so I asked no questions and ordered the breakfast burrito and a beef burrito. I had read good reviews, after all.

I was very brave and snapped a quick picture, which does not capture the bustling activity in the crowded kitchen. Oh well.

Burrito Picnic
Don and I headed out of town and found a lovely spot in a State Park, with a self- pay fee-box, to pay for our park usage.

We didn't have any small bills, so we figured we'd just rush our unpaid picnic by splitting the breakfast burrito... which was lukewarm at this point. They should have called it the green pepper burrito. We kept digging down to see if there was egg anywhere?

Burrito #2 in a Cave

That evening we arrived at our Kokopelli Cave Hotel and toted our burrito in a paper bag and a couple backpacks down the rocky pathway to our cave house entrance. We stopped earlier and bought some salad fixings and wine and thought we'd heat up that second burrito for a taste treat. After each taking a bite we had the same reaction. "It tastes metallic!" We were convinced the burrito was atomic and put it in the trash.

Lab Tricks?

I'm sorry, Los Alamos. I tried to embrace your town and support a local establishment. But I can't say we had a good food experience. Of course, we don't really believe our burritos were atomic, but I was reminded of a LAB FOOD story from over 35 years ago...

Don was working in a chemical lab in St. Louis when we were first married. He and a few co-workers had some fun with a White Castle burger one day. Don came home and laughed about how they put the burger in a container and purged it with a little nitrogen to make it airtight. Their experiment was to see if any "self-respecting mold" would grow on the ultimate junk food.

So hopefully no ex-lab worker got a job at The Chili Works! Science geeks can have a very funny sense of humor.

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Food, Drink & Friends in Tucumcari

9/29/2015

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Route 66 in New Mexico

Earlier this month Don and I spent one night in Tucumcari on the old Mother Road. There were so many neon signs and intriguing options, it was hard to decide where to dine.

This place with the stucco sombrero seemed like a fine choice, until I walked inside. Only one man was dining and the waitress, who was also running a flower shop seemed overwhelmed. We moved on.

Lounge at the Pow Wow Inn

Our host at the Blue Swallow Motor Court recommended this restaurant & bar at a nearby 1960's motor inn. Only on Route 66 will you find a blend of "Native American themed" motel with a "lizard themed" cocktail lounge!

The Lizard Lounge

Don shook hands with the fine lizard woman in the bar mural. Yogi, our bartender said that she wasn't the Lizard Woman of the wall image. Her Uncle Pat, who was sitting at the bar, said it was another one of his nieces.

We decided to sit right down at Yogi's bar and enjoy some of the locals, since we were already talking. Don had a local draft and I had the "Blue Swallow" margarita, named for the iconic motel, where we were staying. I'm not sure why it looked green. The Lizard Effect?

Lounge Decor

We enjoyed some of the ambience around us. There was a whole wall of history nearby. And a peek into the restaurant revealed some pretty curious painted walls near the booths. The artwork made it look like people were sitting in the empty booths. Wish I'd taken a photo.

Chatting With New Friends

I had a question for Rudy, who was seated a couple stools away. "Since you were born in Tucumcari, do you know anything about a water tower collapsing in 1951?"

(I'm not sure where I heard about this, but I figured it was a good conversation starter)

Rudy wasn't old enough to actually remember, but knew the history since he now lives next to the replacement tank. Rudy said the tank exploded in '51, flooded the town and caused one death. He looked at the picture wall with me and pointed to happier memories. "I used to work at El Rancho Bar!" He had fun pointing out the long gone buildings he remembered fondly.

Uncle Pat's Memories

"Uncle Pat" pointed to the photo of "Sands-Dorsey Drugs" in 1956. He said the building burned down, but he has good memories of the wonderful malts!

I would have asked my other bar buddy to point out his favorite building, but I didn't want to trouble him. He had just gotten his collapsable cane (with spotlight) tucked away. Instead, he stayed seated and told me a story about how that cane got stuck in an elevator door once and they had to get someone to come pry the doors open. "I was just trying to hold the elevator! Those doors close too fast!"

One More Friend

Don and I were honestly touched by the sincere pride these folks revealed when talking about their small town. They wanted us to be sure to visit the museum before we left town. "And don't forget to drive by the old theatre." And before leaving the lounge, they made sure I had a visit with the mechanical lizard, that came to life with the push of a hidden button!

Dinner?

We had a lot of fun over 1 drink, but figured we should move on to experience one more Route 66 joint.

It was dark and the neon was all aglow when we arrived at Del's down the street.

The place has been around since before I was born, but the inside updates made it less iconic. We were tired of chitchat and ready to eat. I got a salad bar and chili. Don got the raspberry chicken with mashed potatoes. All tasty enough, but we were no longer needing a dining adventure. Eat and run... back to the Blue Swallow for a good night's rest... with "100% Refrigerated Air!"

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Owl Bar & Cafe

El Rialto in Las Vegas, NM

La Posta de Mesilla in New Mexico

Comet II Drive-In in Santa Rosa, NM

Earl's Family Restaurant in Gallup, NM

Stop and Eat Drive In New Mexico

Lunch in Pie Town, New Mexico

La Placita, in Albuquerque

Atomic Lunch in Los Alamos, NM

Food, Drink & Friends in Tucumcari

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