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Diner Stop in Arizona In the summer of 2023, we had a festive stop at Mr. D'z, while traveling Route 66.  Don and I were traveling from Oregon to Texas, with our daughter, son-in-law and 2 year-old granddaughter. This looked like a perfect lunch stop to please all of us. Kingman There are at least a dozen major cities on historic Route 66. I have absolutely no clue how many towns are along the complicated route.  Kingman is certainly not the most well known, so I had to Google it. I learned only 1 noteworthy fact. Clark Gable and Carole Lombard were married in Kingman, during a break in Clark's filming of Gone With the Wind. Now that's a fun tidbit! Route 66 Shield We arrived around 1 pm and parked in a large lot. A big Route 66 shield, with "Mr. D'z" at the top, greeted us on the pavement.  These shield signs have been marking the highway since the 1920s. But only in recent years have they become selfie photo ops, for Rt 66 travelers. I totally missed that opportunity. I could have posed for an extra special photo, since I was 66 years old, traveling Route 66! Lots to Lure Us! The bright colors were enough to make me pull in for a burger! The image of Marilyn Monroe on a motorcycle, might have encouraged a few bikers.  Besides the yummy sign, (with burger, fries and root beer) there was a 1950s police car to excite me.  And an old blue Chevy truck. I love colorful vintage vehicles! Mr. Don's Photo Op I didn't get myself in a photo, but insisted Don pose. We could pretend the diner was named for him.  But the words over Don's right shoulder told us the D was for Dunton. Who was Mr. Dunton? Established 1992 Turns out the Mr. D's Route 66 Diner wasn't all that old. Brothers Roy and Scott Dunton, bought property in 1991. I guess there were originally 2 misters.  The brothers gutted the old 1930s gas station & cafe and opened a '50s style diner in 1992. Roy passed away some time ago, but evidently Scott died just a couple months before our 2023 visit. Today Today the pumps are gone and bright pink and teal paint covers the white.  Picnic tables sit under the roof, where cars once pulled up. I can imagine the "ding" sound, followed by the voice of the driver announcing, "Fill 'er up!" Crowded at 1 We stepped inside and found a hopping diner.  We were offered a small table, but said we were in no hurry. Which wasn't exactly true. We were starved.  There was an energetic, positive vibe to the place. The staff (all in pink shirts) moved about efficiently, taking and delivering orders. Lots of cheerful banter. Stools and Gas Pumps If we'd been a smaller group, eating at the counter would have been fun. I could have swirled around on my stool and purchased some gum-balls from the gas pump machines.
The diners seemed as upbeat as the staff. We've met a lot of Route 66 travelers over the years and most seem enthused. Many Rt 66 fans come from other countries and we heard a couple different languages nearby. Was that German we heard from a crowded booth? The family was squeezed happily around the table, playing cards as they waited for food. Booth Time We didn't have to wait long for our booth. Once we got our legs situated under the table, we took in the show.  Our table opened towards a bustle of activity that was quite entertaining. Elvis and Marilyn We were amused by the giant celebs, smiling across from us... near the entrance to the restrooms.  When did these 2 become symbols, for all the cafes and shops that decorate with a retro '50s theme? Did they ever meet? Marilyn was 9 years older and the 2 supposedly met briefly only once, in 1960. They were in a hall at Paramount.  Of course there's another rumor, that Elvis denied. Who knows? Anyway, it's funny how their 2 images have been combined over time. I think today if you asked "young folks" to name an iconic Hollywood couple, many would name Elvis & Marilyn. Record-shaped Menu Our server Destiny was chatty and welcoming when she brought our album-shaped menus. There were a dozen burger choices.
One that was 4 pounds! Another was named for Andy Devine, Kingman's most famous resident. (Had to look him up) A character actor, who worked with John Wayne and Roy Rogers. Creamy Caramel Root beer Homemade root beer is one of the things that Mr. D'z is known for. We made sure to get some!  Charlie toasted with her water. At age 2, she didn't yet know what she was missing! Order Up! I kept my eye on the little warming window. Good smells were coming from the kitchen.  I'm not sure which dishes used old family recipes. Supposedly the menu includes some recipes that came from Roy and Scott's mom. Dinner Salad at the Diner Salad isn't exactly a diner food. But my retro plate, with greens, veggies and good old 1,000 island dressing, was pretty tasty. Something healthy to go along with root beer, burger & fries.  Elvis kept an eye on Don and little Charlie kept an eye on the big knife, when Don's food was served.  Don's bacon cheeseburger wasn't served on retro china. Instead a guitar-shaped basket held his burger and fries.  Pretty yummy actually. I kind of liked the space age designs on the table, too! Hit the Road Time No complaints about food or service. Destiny and all the servers seemed well trained in dealing with crowds of tourists.  It was a fun stop for lunch, on the old Mother Road. It was nice to take a break in an upbeat atmosphere. Decent restrooms as well! Charlie's good behavior was rewarded with a little outside time, before she crawled back into her carseat.  Too bad we couldn't have given her a quick ride in the odd pink car. I wonder what the story is with that? Elvis Again Charlie had a fun time crawling over a few picnic tables, near the entrance to Mr. D'z Pizza. The little pizza parlor section of the diner, is where garage door once opened to the service station.  Luckily Charlie was a little too young to care about Elvis and his middle finger gesture... beneath "2020 Lockdown". I'm sure the diner suffered during the pandemic, but I wasn't sure I wanted to think too much about this message. Biker Shop It was an odd ending to our fun little dining adventure, when I spotted the yellow building near the parking lot.  The bright place seemed eager to attract bikers traveling 66. A yellow sign on the yellow building told us, "No Mask, No Vax, No Problem. You're welcome. Come on in."
Oh my. We didn't.
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Lunch in June 2023 I'd never heard of Tulelake and I'd never heard of Mike & Wanda's.  But nearly 2 years ago, Don and I somehow found ourselves in the town of less than 1,000 people, at a restaurant that had a homey-western look. Wide Street It was about noon, when we pulled up to Mike & Wanda's, on Modoc Avenue. The street was wide and the wood covered building, seemed to cover the whole block.  There were 3 door options. We passed the door with bars... that said BAR. The door beneath the Restaurant/Lounge sign, said No Trespassing. The last door had a less welcoming sign, but it opened to the cafe. More Wood Right away, I liked the place. Lots of knotty pine!  There were cozy booths, tables and counter seating. Endless Counter The long wooden bar looked as endless and exaggerated as the long wooden building facing the street.  I counted 8 stools at the "bar". The bottles behind the counter had no liquor. They were bottles of flavored syrups. It was summertime and fun to watch 3 kids being served ice cream cones. They looked like they'd just stopped in, on the way to the park across the street.  The woman serving the kids assured us she'd be right with us. But I was in no hurry. I was having fun examining the walls and the framed artwork critters. Entertaining Pine The wood paneling had a lot going on. It was fun to spot all the various cattle brands, here and there.  I'm not sure what kind of pine this was. A very hole-y cypress? But the deep grooves and circular knots, made my imagination run wild. Oh if I'd had a Sharpie and dared. I could have created the best cartoons. This and That I also enjoyed a few decorator accents. A pump/chicken salt & pepper holder!  A vintage radio was wearing a hat, on the back counter. Sweet Critters And I was so curious about the primitive animal paintings, displayed on the walls.  There must have been some story about the artist. Local? Reading and Listening Don and I took a while to study the M & W menu, while the woman who had served the ice cream, tended to tables.  I did a little eavesdropping. A group of men behind Don seemed to be taking a break from working on a ranch. An elderly couple in a booth chatted with the "Ice Cream Woman", who graciously took her time with them, even though she clearly was working the entire restaurant herself. Other Rooms Our room seemed to be quiet, compared to the noise I heard coming from a nearby doorway. Lots of laughter. A party?  After we placed our order I went exploring and found the Rotary Club Room. No one there. The Bar I stepped into the bar and spotted at least 5 deer heads and 6 men in various hats.  But they weren't making noise. They were all focused on the TV while they ate. Busy Server I found another room with 2 private groups. The ice cream serving woman was rushing to serve one large group. There was a lot of laughter and teasing, yet the woman was professional and efficient. I chose not to intrude with my camera and returned to find my salad waiting.  My 5-dollar side salad was actually pretty tasty. I felt a little guilty not ordering more, but I knew I'd be helping Don... Don ordered a tuna melt, which came with fries and dipping sauce.  I was a good helper and ate about half those yummy fries. The sandwich was pretty darn good and nice and hot. Checking Out After finishing our meal, we finally had a moment to chat with the woman we'd watched serving and busing and even tending to a young barefoot daughter, who came in looking for a toy behind the counter.  As we paid up at the counter, I told her I'd watched her juggling so many customers during our lunch visit. She laughed with good humor, that she was indeed understaffed that day. I then asked who was behind the name of the restaurant. "My parents." She answered with a funny smile. "My dad died a couple years ago and my mom has Alzheimer's. And here I am." She added that they'd had the business for over 40 years. Then she laughed again, "They could have just left me a lake house." Ice Cream to Go I never got the name of the very hardworking and gracious woman who now owns the business. But I did get to tell her how much we enjoyed the food and appreciated her service. I told her I'd watched her serving the kids ice cream and it had made me nostalgic for a good old fashioned cone.  She lit up with enthusiasm when I ordered a cone. "We just got the machine! It seems to be a big hit!" Ice Cream We stepped outside and I enjoyed my cone while wandering over to the little park across the street. Hearing the young woman talk about her parents made me pull out my cellphone one more time.  I snapped a photo of the street and water tower, then dialed up my 94 year old Dad. He answered on his landline back in Missouri. "Hi Dad. I'm having an ice cream cone right now, in the town of Tulelake..."
We had a nice chat. Lunch Stop in the City Don and I were passing through Albuquerque in June of 2023.  I searched the map for a restaurant not far from our route. Cecilia's promised to serve up authentic New Mexican cuisine. I called to make sure they were open and was told, "We're open, but we close at 1:00." Odd closing time! Sweet Exterior We arrived at 12:30 and parked near the inviting cafe entrance. White stucco, red awnings and Madonna in the window. I hoped she would keep our car safe.  Always a risk parking in unknown areas, when on a roadtrip with a car full of stuff. More Madonna & Balloons If the Madonna under the awning couldn't protect, maybe the one painted in the alcove could.  I had to stop and admire the window beneath the other awning. Oh how I've always wanted to attend Albuquerque's annual Balloon Festival! City Corner Before we stepped inside, I had to marvel that we'd found ourselves at a homey cafe, near downtown Albuquerque.  The white 2-story building on the corner of Silver and 6th, was dwarfed by the taller city buildings. Evidently this was built as a house, over 100 years ago. Cozy Cluttered We climbed a couple of steps and opened the screen door. What a surprise! The little space was packed with decorative goodies and quite a few diners.  A young guy looked up when we entered. He nodded and gestured towards an available booth. Holy Treasures We sat across from a very decorated corner. I spotted St. Frances and a few more Madonnas.  Two cherubs and a Jesus figure in a clock, beside a ceramic Christmas tree. Guy Another corner made me grin a bit.  Guy Fieri and his signature smile and sunglasses, looked down from a signed poster. Cecilia's was featured on his show in 2009. Studying The young man brought menus. I studied the walls more than I did the menu.  The wooden sign gave us a heads up about Great food & atmasphere. I noticed the red and green chilis, beside the words, "unpredictable chile fix". Awards I noticed a lot of Christmas decor. A Christmas tree here, a wreath there...  ... a manger display. And lots of awards. "Best Downtown House Turned Restaurant" That's an interesting award. Made me wonder how many house turned restaurants there are in Albuquerque? Our View I liked our booth, with a view of the dining room. We could see the the exposed brick around a window. I tried to imagine the old brick house, beneath the white stucco.  I could see 3 in the kitchen rushing about. The woman in the red shirt appeared stressed. I guessed she was the one on the phone who wanted me to know they'd be closing that day at 1. San Pascual Arrived 1999 There was a lot of wall decor near the opening to the kitchen. The most curious piece of art, was a crude little painting of a man in a monk's robe, holding a spoon.
The image was of San Pascual, the patron saint of cooks and kitchens. I learned later, that the mysterious little painted board was found on the cafe's stoop, on the first day that Cecilia's opened, in 1999. Fireman's 10 Pound Burrito! Before deciding on our order, we took a moment to ponder the Fireman's Burrito option. Sadly, we did not hear the bell ring during our visit.  The busy woman in the red shirt came to take our order. I didn't attempt to chuckle about the 10-pound burrito. Her focus seemed to be everywhere but our table, as she waited to hear our order. I asked which was hotter, red or green sauce? I got a quick answer. "Both." Tamales Don attempted to order chicken tamales but was told they only had pork.  He was fine with pork tamales. Sadly he was not fine with the heat. He's become less tolerant of hot spicy foods over the years, but usually he can attempt more than 1 bite. He played it safe (traveling!) and just ate his beans and rice. He raved about the beans, though. Stuffed Sopaipilla I was pretty excited about my fry bread, stuffed with beans, beef, cheese, onions and lettuce. My meal was hot as well, but such flavors!  Don was able eat a little of mine. I offered up my beans and rice to him. We actually were both satisfied.  As we worked on our food, the last customers sat down. Just before the Closed sign went in the door. We overheard the woman in red telling them that it had been a rough day. A pipe broke and the bathroom was closed. Yikes. Meeting Cecilia I had not expected to have a chat with the woman in red. But after she took the last order, a weight seemed to lift. She came over and apologized for being so rushed. She seemed so pleased that we'd enjoyed her food. (I couldn't bring myself to tell her it was too hot for Don)  I asked if she was by any chance The Cecilia, of Cecilia's. She laughed that she was. We asked about her experience with Guy Fieri and she shook her head. "Whew! Our business was crazy after that! There were lines down the sidewalk." She talked about the struggles after the pandemic. "We can't get people to work," She looked at the now half empty dining room and said business was so much slower now. A Good Visit Even with spicy food and no bathroom options, we were glad we'd had a visit to the little cafe. It was a treat absorbing the atmosphere, with Cecilia's precious collections.  I wish we could go back and enjoy another meal. Cecilia might be able to suggest a milder dish for Don. But sadly, I looked up Cecilia's today. It looks like the cafe closed its doors, October 2024. Too many struggles, trying to keep the business running, since the pandemic. Sad.
But, I read that Cecilia may have a food truck somewhere! Maybe there will be a next time! Along I-10 in Arizona This green building caught my eye, when we stopped for gas in Quartzite. It was about 5 years ago, when Don and I were traveling from Texas to California, on I-10.  I love a family restaurant in a curious town, but we'd already eaten. I snapped a photo and hoped to return. Quartzite, AZ in January It was January 2021 the next time we traveled the same route. (I-10 cuts right through Quartzite) Our travel dining adventures were still on hold due to the pandemic, so we didn't exit for lunch. Instead we drove right on through... feeling confused by the view on both sides of the freeway.  A sea of trailers covered the desert terrain on both sides! It looked insane! A little internet search told us that each January, Quartzite hosts the Rubber Stamp Rendezvous. "Snowbirds" and gem collectors flock yearly to the desert community, to camp (RVs and trailers) and enjoy the month-long gem and mineral show. March 2021 3 months later, Don and I once again hit Quartzite. During our winter stay in Oregon, we'd made a point to watch the movie Nomadland, which features the quirky community. This time we drove down Main Street and wondered if we'd see some of the locals who played small parts in the Academy Award winning movie. I guess we didn't, but I did purchase a cheap-y quartzite bracelet. It came with a complimentary masked camel pin.  The snowbird season was nearly over but we still spotted plenty of trailers. Maybe all 2,000+ permanent residents, live in homes with wheels. Times 3 Family Restaurant After getting gas, I spotted the restaurant. I was amused by the green sign and the cartoon characters peering over the top.  What was with the double quotation marks surrounding the words, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner? What did "Times 3" even mean? Open I made Don pull in so I could take a look at the colorful building. I was craving a Road Trip Dining Adventure, after a year of pandemic caution.  But Don and I weren't vaccinated yet. I sort of wanted to save that big return to indoor dining, at a slightly different kind of restaurant. Stuckey's? So I compromised. I threw on my mask before heading inside to get a quick peek and a coffee to-go.  I recognized the building's shape as I walked towards the door. Was this an old Stuckey's? I laughed as I recalled road stops during childhood trips. Stuckey's Pecan Rolls! I can still picture them. Empty Seats I stepped inside and ordered a coffee. I took in the homey decor while I waited.  The dining counter seats were empty.  A few spacious booths were empty.  The walls were not empty.  Out of all the shelf collections, the trailer display was my favorite. Diners It was odd to be back inside a restaurant, in March 2021. There were quite a few guests dining in. I spotted a few masks.  The spacious dining room had a welcoming feel, but I left with my coffee. Next time, we'll dine in for lunch! I told myself. A Lunch Stop in 2024 So this past winter, Don and I stopped in the dusty little town once again. It was late January and the Rubber Stamp Rendezvous was nearly over.
There was lots of traffic on Main Street and lots of good people watching. (no photo evidence) Some of the characters looked a little windblown and dusty, but there was a friendly, upbeat vibe to the people we saw.
At a stop sign, a young couple sat on the corner smiling up at us. The woman held a puppy and the man held a cardboard sign. "2 Hungry Vagabonds!" I rolled the window down and handed over 2 apples. The man responded with enthusiasm, "Thanks!" The woman beamed! "We love apples!" They waved with Hang Loose gestures, before biting into the fruit. We drove off happy. Lunchtime! We headed to the green restaurant, excited to finally eat at the funny little place. Our encounter with the Happy Vagabonds, gave me a boost of confidence that we might meet more friendly people.  The parking lot was jammed but there were no lines out the door. That was lucky, since nearly a couple million gem and trailer enthusiasts flock to Quartzsite each January. We parked near the mural and I grinned at the camel as we passed.  There are a lot of camel images in Quartzsite. More later on that... Hungry Crowd The Family Restaurant was hopping. A sign scribbled on paper warned, "Expect a 45 minute wait for orders."  Luckily we weren't in a hurry. Even luckier, there were available seats at the counter.  2 cushy red stools on the corner, just waiting for us. Menu Time Our server (I believe, Shel) handed over menus with her left hand, then turned to top off a customer's coffee with the right.
Don and I wondered for a second what to order. A fellow who acted like he dined daily, gave us a quick hint. "It's all good!" He laughed as if he knew that wouldn't help! Seat with A view I was happy with our seats, that offered a great view. Lots of teapots and colorful murals, depicting western scenes.  I also had an entertaining view of Shel as she chatted with some regulars at the end of the counter. She wasn't the only one that gave the couple attention and hugs. Loyal customers no doubt. Observing I quickly determined that Shel did an exceptional job of keeping coffee mugs filled. I ordered coffee just for the fun of being included in her coffee route.  I was so impressed with how efficiently she worked behind the counter. She was always moving, tidying the collection of creamers, repeatedly refilling the sugar and salt and pepper containers. She seemed to glide as she moved back and forth, delivering plates and scooping up menus, conversing and attending to guests as she did so! In and Out I was amused as I kept an eye on a pair of doors. There was a constant flow of staff, heading IN with dirty dishes and OUT with steaming plates of food. It would have been nerve-wracking to watch if there had been only 1 door.  I tried to count the staff as they entered and disappeared. I gave up when I got to 9. New faces kept appearing from the kitchen. The constant movement was like some kind of video game. All the servers seemed to move with the same quick pace and positive energy. Laughing with each other and carrying on with a few regulars. It was clear that they'd gotten the whole system down to an art, after weeks of serving endless temporary residents. Shel's Necklace When Shel delivered my grilled ham and cheese, I noticed her jewelry. She explained that her quartz necklace was a special one. The gold beads came from her grandfather. "He had lots of beads and gems and such." There was much more to the story, about the grandfather who passed away a year ago. But it was a personal one and not for me to share. She's happy to live in his trailer now.
I was glad to get a little advice about the "special fry sauce" in the squirt bottle. Shel said some put it on fries, but she thought it was good on sandwiches. I tried and it was. Great fries as well! Don loves a breakfast for lunch. He ordered 2 eggs sunny side up. It came with hash browns and corn beef hash.  I had a sandwich, but I still stole some of Don's sourdough toast! Both our meals were good and filling. We could only finish half! Chatting at the Counter Our food was a nice treat. Especially since we'd had a couple diner fails in the beginning of our road trip. The dining adventure was suddenly complete, after we ended up chatting with our fellow diners.  The couple nearest me was from Wisconsin. They were wintering in Yuma and made the trip to Quartzite for lunch. We gabbed about horses and travel, until our food came. The woman was pretty excited about the horses on my western shirt. "I'll trade you my green sweatshirt!" She teased. Heading Out We finished up and Shel handed us containers and utensils, for our leftovers. We headed for the door and I heard a server respond to a customer. "We have 2 more weeks of this crazy gem show! I'm about ready for it to be done!" She laughed out loud.
Before I headed out the door, I paused to look at a photo of a man name "Hi Jolly" along with a photo of his grave monument. When we passed the camel statue outside, I was reminded of something we needed to do before we left town.  In fact there were 2 things we needed to do before leaving Quartzite. Don figured out the first and drove back to the corner, to see if the Vagabonds were still there. (we think alike) They were and they were delighted to take our leftovers. They waved good-bye, saying they'd share with their doggy. Hi Jolly Cemetery Then we were on to the cemetery. A dining adventure in Quartzsite couldn't be complete without a stop to see Hi Jolly's grave.  Quartzite has some interesting history, from long before the Rubber Stamp Rendezvous began. We stopped to pay respects to Hi Jolly, the Syrian-born camel driver who emigrated here in the 1850s!
I'm so glad we finally got to eat at Times 3 Family Restaurant. And I'm glad we met some travelers and some locals and some vagabonds. I'm glad we got to visit the the petrified wood and quartz pyramid, that honors Quartzite's most beloved resident.
Next time we're in town, I'll ask about the restaurant's name. And we'll come earlier in January, to catch the annual Hi Jolly Parade! Mom & Pop Gem in Colorado While driving through Pueblo last summer, I searched the internet for a lunch stop. Estela's Mill Stop Cafe had good reviews.  Don made a few comments while following my driving instructions. "Are you sure we're going the right way?" he questioned, as the directions led us into a somewhat sketchy section on the south side of town. Near the Steel Mills It became clear that the "Mill Stop" part of the cafe's name was due to the cafe's proximity to a steel mill.  We could spot the green and blue restaurant just past the Cosmopolitan Club. This was defiantly a cafe that attracted a blue collar work crowd, but we also saw a family heading that way. Big Lot Across from the Estella's, there was a huge parking lot.  Professional Travel of Pueblo? Who knows? But the old building looked interesting. Dancing? If we'd come during dinner hours, maybe we could have gone dancing afterward.  Cosmopolitan's was closed. It looked like someone had had a good time the night before. They deposited their empty whiskey bottle in the gutter. Colors of Mexico As soon as we reached the door, we knew we'd come to a good place. No more worries about location.  We could see the place was bustling with diners and we also noticed the sign for New Hours. The Mill Stop Cafe was closed on Saturday and Sunday, This Mom & Pop business must be doing well, to be able to close for weekends! Full House The cozy cafe didn't seem to have an empty table or booth, but there were a few stools at the counter.  Don and I were invited to sit at the counter until a table opened. We said we were happy to stay put at the counter.  It took only a moment to pick up on the happy energy in the place. There were at least 5 people behind the counter as we approached. I couldn't hear what they were all laughing about. Estela? A young woman named Vanessa, handed us menus after we got settled. I pointed to a framed photo above the shelves and asked if the smiling woman was Estela.
Vanessa's smile was as big as her grandmother's. She said I was right and that the photo was of her grandparents. Both had passed away, but she pointed our her father and a cousin or two, in the cafe behind us. The room was filled with family. Taco Salad I ordered a taco salad. It must have had an entire bag of chips circling the plate.  I'm guessing that most diners don't order salad. The man next to me was a regular and he seemed surprised to see my dish. He laughed at the size and said, "I thought salads were supposed to be healthy." I'm sure it wasn't. I felt like I was eating a giant 8-layer dip all by myself. It was yummy. Don ordered the chicken enchiladas.  His plate was quite a blended feast! The soupy rice, (good!) spilled into the enchilada sauce. I stole many bites and we still couldn't finish. Sopapillas Vanessa reminded us to save room for sopapillas. Her reminder came too late. I was stuffed.  But I changed my mind when 2 piping hot, complimentary sopas arrived. Cinnamon and Honey It's been a long time since I've indulged in one of these treats. I put on my glasses to make sure I aimed the honey correctly.  I still made a sticky mess! I ate more than my share and enjoyed every bit! Celebrating I told Vanessa that it seemed like everyone working (and even eating) seemed to be in such good moods. I was impressed with the efficient and friendly atmosphere.  Vanessa admitted her family was in extra good spirits because they were just about ready to close the restaurant for 2 weeks. They do this every year around July 4th. Christmas too, I think. She said the business was celebrating their 40 year anniversary! As we headed off, I wondered what this happy family would do with their 2 weeks off. If the family smiles this much when they're working, I'd like to see them when they're relaxing and celebrating!
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The Dining Blog
This is a blog about Dining Adventures. Sometimes, I talk about food. Below, you can read how this started. On July 4th 2011, I set a goal to try 50 culturally diverse restaurants in one year! (I knew that was possible, living in the Houston area) I spent the year pulling in friends and family to join me, on some unusual dining adventures. I met some curious people, tried some scary foods and explored places and cultures I never would have otherwise. Even though I met my goal, I learned too much to end my adventures in dining. I have continued blogging about memorable dining adventures of all kinds, near and far... and all the discoveries and funny things I've learned along the way! Locations and types of dining adventures, are listed further down. Archives
February 2025
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