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May's in May... 2012 I recently ran across these photos of May's Cafe, from 13 years ago.  I wasn't blogging about road trip dining back then, so I never wrote this up. I don't think I even realized the restaurant was named May's. But I see it written on the roof. Earlier that Morning We were famished when we found the cafe. We'd had a busy morning after leaving Fort Davis Lodge in West Texas. There had been an exiting moment with some wildlife on the highway...
Then we made a stop at the curious and amusing Prada Marfa... which is an art installation, not a store. Then we hiked at Guadalupe National Park. Gas and Lunch? It was after 1 pm when we found ourselves in Hudspeth County, about halfway between El Paso and Carlsbad, NM.  I spotted what appeared to be the ruins of an old gas station. A faded sign said Cornudas, Texas 1929. We didn't need gas, but we were hoping the little cafe was open. There was one parked car.  We headed for the vine covered building and stepped inside. We spotted only 1 table in use. The 2 women seated, popped up and greeted us warmly. They left their bowls of brussel sprouts on the table and got ready to take care of us.  We were invited to take a seat anywhere. I was tempted to go for the barrel seats. We chose a table with decorated legs. Bluejeans and cowboy boots!  I studied the walls, filled with maps and photos. There were messages from past guests.  There were more messages and photos (and money) displayed on our table, beneath plastic. I learned late that these displayed gifts and photos and messages were from travelers, passing through.  Our piping hot meals arrived shortly and covered a few photo faces. The travel notes ( I found along with these photos) said that my oozing grilled cheese was a hit. Don's burger was tasty with big chiles. We left happy. Who is May? Since finding these photos, I looked on the internet and learned more about the woman whose name was written on the roof. May Carson had originally been a truck driver who often stopped at the little Cornudas cafe. In 1982, she was persuaded by the owner to buy the business, along with the 28-acre unincorporated town. (which means she became mayor)  May spent many years cooking and serving truckers and travelers. Her mother (who was in her nineties) often helped. She was known for her hospitality and warmth. Oh how I wish I'd struck up a conversation with the 2 women that day. Back in 2012 I hadn't yet learned that road travel dining adventures are all about the people encounters!
I learned that May passed away in 2018. The business and "town" was bought by a guy named Jon, who I believe has spiffed the place up. We'll have to head out that way and check it out.
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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? 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 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!
75 Plus Years Last summer, Don and I had a memorable meal at Plaza Cafe, in downtown Santa Fe.  The menu told us it had been around for 75 years, but the history goes further back. Serving Since 1905 This prime spot, overlooking the historic Santa Fe Plaza, has been serving up authentic traditional dishes, for 120 years.  The pretty building is older than it looks. It doesn't have the soft curves you see in so many of Santa Fe's historic pueblo style buildings. This building on the Plaza, has housed a restaurant since 1905. I'm guessing the building is even older. New Owner in 1947 In 1947 a Greek immigrant named Dan Razatos, took over the Plaza Cafe.. from another owner, who was also a Greek immigrant.  While running his cafe, Dan met and married a local girl named Beneranda. Together they raised 6 kids and ran the Plaza Cafe together. Son Leonardo owns today. Our Visit in 2024 The cafe's exterior didn't look much different when we arrived in 2024, than when Mr. Razotos opened in 1947.  The brick and glass reminded me of Ben Franklin's or Cunningham Drugs, from when I lived in Grinnell, Iowa in the 1960s. Classic Diner The interior was bright and cheery at 11:30 am.  The old fashioned diner look was quite a surprise. It's not what we usually expect in Santa Fe. Counter Seating It was tempting to have a seat at the counter. I loved swiveling on a stool when I was a kid at Cunningham's... having grilled cheese or ice cream.  It's always fun keeping an eye on the action. Especially when there's a friendly staff of nearly a dozen, dressed in white shirts with black bowties! Design with China I was also entertained by the display above the counter.  What a clever way to make use of broken diner china... cups, saucers and plates! Tables & Booths Most guests opted for tables. Actually all guests did.  I was sorry the tables filled quickly before I could get nosy and look at some of the framed photos and art. I did manage to sneak a peek at this photo. Taken in 1949, during the Fiesta Parade.  Too bad the cafe no longer has that great neon sign. Near the Window We were seated at a comfy table in the front section. A great view of the whole restaurant and the colorful patio, just out the window.  Don sat beneath a wreath of red chiles and displayed jars of Plaza Cafe's special sauces. Salsas, I presume. Portrait Not far from where Don was sitting, was a large portrait on the wall.
Beneranda Razatos ran the cafe for many years without the help of Dan. Her husband died 25 years before her, in 2022. She was well loved at the Plaza and in the community. Breakfast & Lunch The cafe served breakfast until 4, so Don was able to order scrambled eggs with a big slab of ham, hash browns and toast.  He was mighty pleased. The lunch/dinner menu offered everything from Posole (pork & hominy stew) to grilled salmon. But I chose a spinach salad that made me so happy!  My bowl was full of goodies! Was this a shredded hard boiled egg? It was a tasty topping, sprinkled over my greens, onions, mushrooms and bacon. The warm bacon vinaigrette dressing was tangy-yummy! The chili-cheddar crostini was an added treat. I think our server Esther called in Pepper Bread. Surprise in the Wall I took a trip to the restroom after we finished and found 2 surprises. One was the fun wallpaper in the hallway.  The other was behind glass. Part of the original adobe wall was on display. I'm sure this building has had many renovations, but somewhere along the way, they decided to preserve this peek at the past. I wish I could have found more history about the age of the building before 1905! Cheers to Esther! Our server Esther took such good care of us. She chatted and answered silly questions every time she stopped by our table. She was efficient and friendly and I finally just had to ask how long she'd been working at The Plaza.  42 years! "What!!? You must have been a baby!" Before long we heard more of her story. She'd moved to the States as a teen in 1986. She found herself working for the Razotos Family and was very grateful for their support. She laughed as she remembered the very first order she took and how she messed it up. Eventually she became a citizen and brought her parents and 10 siblings from Guatemala. There were many servers working on that July day and we lucked out with Esther! Heading Off We left feeling happily satisfied with our breakfast/lunch.  But we were even more pleased that we'd experienced another side of Santa Fe. Our little retro diner had a whole different kind of vibe and history than much of Old Santa Fe. And our server made the experience extra nice. Next Time In a couple of weeks we'll be back in Santa Fe, dining on New Mexican cuisine, at some of our favorite places.  I'm hoping to return to Plaza Cafe. It's a refreshing change. This time I hope to sit on the patio, overlooking the old Plaza. And maybe I'll order the Greek Salad, in honor of the Cafe's Greek roots. That should be just right... along with a Red Velvet Cupcake!
I hope we see Esther! Summer 2024 I'm so glad Don and I got to once again have a breakfast adventure, at Fleetwood Diner!  Last June, we made it back in Ann Arbor on a warm summery day. 1980 Before then, the last time we stopped at the iconic diner, was on a frigid February day in 1980. We were still newlyweds, stopping through town on our way from St. Louis, to the Lake Placid Olympics in NY. We had breakfast with my little brother and he snapped our pic.  44 years later, my older brother took a photo of Don and me. The little diner, built from a kit in 1949, had changed a bit over the years. In 1997, stainless steel panels were added, to cover the original enamel exterior. Now stickers cover the stainless walls. On the Corner Don and I arrived around 9 am. The college town was still sleepy on a June morning.  I tried to recall when I'd first eaten at the diner. It must have been around 1973. I was 16 and my family had just moved to Ann Arbor. That was about a year after the old Dag-Wood's Diner building, (from the 1949) became Fleetwood Diner. 2005 I also snapped a photo of the Fleetwood, in the fall of 2005. We were in town with our daughter, who was a freshman at U of M. There was no time for a meal, but I pointed the epic food joint out to Heidi and told her my recollections from when I was a teen. I remember being intimidated by what seemed, a tough dining crowd and a grumpy cook and impatient servers. Could have just been me.  Heidi was amused when I reminded her that her parents never knew each other Ann Arbor. Don and I both lived in the liberal college town, from 1973-75. I was in high school and Don was a UM student. We didn't meet until 1977, when living in St. Louis. Our breakfast in 1980 was extra special, since we were sharing an Ann Arbor experience for the first time. Stickers! Last summer, I admired the quiet diner as we approached. I noticed the glowing neon letters on the sign. (new sign in 1992)  I was surprised to see stickers plastering the stainless steel panels and glass windows. There were bacon smells and sounds of music when I opened the door. Middle Eastern music?  Once inside we found 6 tables and 5 stools, all empty. I don't remember ever seeing this sticker craziness. I do remember having to wait for a table, though. Maybe it's more crowded late at night, since the diner is open 24 hours. Colorful Corner Weather was so lovely outside, but we chose an inside table, where we could be entertained by the happy banter between 2 young women servers and a man standing over the sizzling grill.  We ordered coffee first. The stickers were also entertaining.  The white walls, windows and ceiling were covered in colorful images and words. The YETI sticker was a reminder that it was not 1973.  I don't remember the interior ever feeling this tidy. The stickers weren't at all grungy. They seemed somewhat thoughtfully placed.  We placed our orders with Ari (hope that's right) and I asked her about all those stickers. She laughed that she'd been working at Fleetwood for 7 years and they part of the job was "policing" the stickers. I guess some questionables have to be removed. Ari & Jeff I interrupted Jeff while he was cooking our breakfast on the grill. I seized the moment, just before a party of 6 headed inside.  I never in a million years would have asked to get a photo of any employees on past visits. But now, the vibe was very welcoming. I pulled up my 1980 photo on my phone and both were properly amused. Meaty Hippie Hash Here's a photo of me with my humongous plate of Hippie Hash!  The Original Hippie Hash breakfast has been on the menu since Fleetwood opened in 1971. I ordered the meaty version for $13.59.  Hash browns with corned beef, topped with grilled green peppers, onions, tomatoes, broccoli, mushrooms and feta cheese. 2 eggs any style. It was absolutely packed with tangy flavor. The broccoli may not be for all, but I loved how the tiny pieces blended right in! Family Dining A meal at Fleetwood Diner is always more fun with a brother. This time it was my older brother and his wife. They Ubered over from our hotel for a late breakfast. Don and I took our coffee outside to join them.  I felt like we lucked out with an inside & outside dining adventure, rolled into one. There we were, sitting under the metal awning, dining on the sidewalk at Ann Arbor's very first sidewalk cafe. We did our posing just before taking off. So glad to have made another Fleetwood Memory.  So glad this little business is still on the corner, serving up pretty darn decent diner food!
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. |
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
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