Comet II Drive-In in Santa Rosa, NM

Lunch Stop on Route 66
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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?
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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. 
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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?
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​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
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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!