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Diverse Dining List

Pantry Restaurant in Santa Fe

9/20/2022

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One Hour in Santa Fe

​In June, (2022) Don and I spent about an hour in Santa Fe.
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We spent it, dining in The Pantry Restaurant on Cerrillos Road.

Road Closures

We were headed to Colorado and had hoped to stop for a leisurely lunch in the beautiful town of Santa Fe.
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But there were fires and those fires changed our route. This photo was taken before we were in the midst of a huge traffic jam.

​Views From the Car

We were rerouted on a strange drive, that seemed sort of curious and entertaining.
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But our snaking route ate up time. There wasn't time for a proper visit to Santa Fe.

​On Route 66

But we still needed lunch. I Googled and found a place that was actually in Santa Fe, but far from Old Town. This little stucco building was once on the outskirts of town, on the old Mother Road.
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That was intriguing enough. But the restaurant had great reviews and they offered easy free parking in the lot.
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Since 1948

We entered through a door that looked like it could have been original. George Myers opened The Pantry in 1948.
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The stools looked like they could have been original also. I love dining at a counter!

In the Corner
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​But we took a corner table in the front room, where we had a good view of the guests coming and going. There was lots of activity.
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We were seated by friendly staff and given menus right away.

Nearby Tables

​I tired to study the menu, but my eyes were drawn to the tables around me. I liked the quilted art piece above the table behind Don. Below the framed piece, a fireplace was hidden. Did that warm the restaurant in 1948?
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I studied the old casement windows nearby. The ladies sitting next to them had a nice view of the old Rt 66. However they seemed unaware of the world outside their table. One of the two was a talker. She hardly paused to taste her food. I was amused.

​Busy-Happy Place

Don and I placed our order and enjoyed the upbeat atmosphere. There must have been 20 employees, wearing colorful Pantry t-shirts.  
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There was a cooperative, pitch in feel to the place. Lots of staff moving about, serving, clearing, chatting, joking. No one stood still for more than a moment and no one seemed stressed. My favorite kind of place.

Food!

Our meals arrived on colorful southwestern plates. Don ordered 2 fish tacos, well-stuffed with fish and fresh avocado. No complaints!
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I'm not sure what possessed me to order a Greek Salad. But I'm glad that I did. 
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My hefty salad with crispy cucumbers, Kawamata olives, feta cheese and fresh greens, would have been much more than $10.75, if we'd been dining in the touristy part of Santa Fe.

A Lull

​It was 2:30 by the time we finished up. Most of the tables had cleared and some of the staff was freed up for a bit.
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I chatted with this friendly bunch for a few minutes. They saw me taking photos and figured I was curious about the place.

​Money 

​One pointed out a silver dollar embedded in the counter. I was confused about her story. I'm thinking there was once another coin, in the nearby hole. It looks like someone needed more money to cover the bill and grabbed a dinner knife...  
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Another one of the girls took me over to the little open nook, with the cash register. She pointed to a display of origami dollars on the wall. Her favorite was the elephant. Cute!

Then and Now

We left full and happy. I wish we'd learned more about this wonderful 74 year old business. George Myers obviously did something right, when he started up, 74 years ago.
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I read that George's son Max, has partnered with the current owners of The Pantry, to open up a new location. I love that. 

Old Signs

We pulled out of the lot and I took one last look at the blue and yellow sign. I pictured a 1950 Chevy traveling on Route 66, slowing down to take a look at the neon letters.
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As we continued down Cerrillos Road, I spotted more signs. I was reminded of a time when travelers in New Mexico stayed in motor courts, not boutique hotels and Airbnbs. I hope to  someday and spend a night in one. In the morning, we can head over to The Pantry for breakfast!
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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.


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    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!
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  • Homepage
  • Little Bear's Adventures
  • Diverse Dining List
  • 90 Notable Nights
  • Happy List
  • Quilt Adventure Blog
  • Not So Happy List
  • The Texas Twenty List
  • Mom's Picnic List
  • 18+ Dance Adventures
  • 55 Strangers
  • The Barbie Bucket List
  • 60 Celebrations
  • 57 Celebrations of the Fifties!