Food, Drink & Friends in Tucumcari

​Route 66 in New Mexico
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​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, but the waitress was also running a flower shop. She seemed overwhelmed, so we moved on.

Lounge at the Pow Wow Inn
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​Our host at the Blue Swallow Motor Court recommended this restaurant & bar, at a nearby 1960's motor inn.  

Only on Route 66 do you find such a blend. "Native American themed" motel, with a "lizard themed" cocktail lounge!

The Lizard Lounge

The first thing that caught our attention, was the mural of Lizard Woman. Don shook her hand and asked the bartender about her. Yogi said the face on the mural was not hers, but it belonged to her cousin. She introduced us to her Uncle Pat, at the bar, then turned back to the mural. "She's one of Uncle Pat's other nieces." Gotta love a family bar!

After that little conversation, we decided to sit right down at Yogi's bar and enjoy some more chatting with regulars. Don had a local draft and I had the "Blue Swallow" margarita, named for the iconic motel, where we were staying. I thought the icy drink looked more green lizard, than blue swallow.

Lounge Decor
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​We enjoyed some of the ambience around us. I took a good look at the paneled wall, covered in local history.  

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Then I peeked into the restaurant and noticed some pretty curious painted walls, near the booths. The artwork featured diners, who looked like they were sitting in the empty booths. Shame on me for getting no photo.

​Chatting With New Friends
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After chatting with Yogi and Pat, another guest at the bar joined the converstaion. When I learned that Rudy was raised in town, I asked him about something I'd read about earlier. 

"Since you were born in Tucumcari, do you know anything about a water tower collapsing in 1951?" 

 

Rudy wasn't old enough to actually remember. He said he knew the history though, since he now lives next to the replacement tank. Rudy said the tank exploded in '51, flooded the town and caused one death. Rudy moved over to the wall and pointed to a photo with a happier memory.  

"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" jumped up and pointed to a 1956 photo of "Sands-Dorsey Drugs". He said the building burned down, but he had good memories of the wonderful malts! 

An older man arrived while we were studying photos. I was tempted to ask him to point out his favorite building, but I didn't want to trouble our new bar buddy. He had just gotten his collapsable cane (with fancy spotlight) tucked away. I headed back to my stool and admired the spotlight on his cane. He shared a story about how that cane got stuck in an elevator door once. "I was just trying to hold the elevator! Those doors close way too fast! Someone had to come pry the doors open."

One More Friend
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Don and I were honestly touched by the sincere pride these folks revealed, when they talked 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."  Then before leaving the lounge, we were introduced to one more important bar regular. Actually I'm not sure if the mechanical lizard had a name. The jazzy lizard with tie, shades and tattoo, came to life with the push of a hidden button!

What a memorable visit!

Del's
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Don and I had a lot of fun over 1 drink, but figured we should move on, to experience one more Route 66 joint. We had spotted Del's earlier.

 

It was dark by the time we arrived, but the neon was all aglow.  

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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