Route 66: Where the trip is the destination

 

"A poet could write volumes about diners, because they're so beautiful. They're brightly lit, with chrome and booths and Naugahyde and great waitresses. Now, it might not be so great in the health department, but I think diner food is really worth experiencing periodically."  - David Lynch

We totally agree with the quote above... and one of the iconic stops along Route 66 that exemplifies those sentiments is the 66 Diner in Albuquerque. Originally a Phillips 66 gas station going back to 1945, it was converted into a diner in 1987.  

Jer defines a true diner as akin to a corner bar without the booze... it's cozy, friendly, a place where the locals hang out. And yet, it still welcomes travelers.  We knew we were in the right place when we spotted a local fire captain's pickup truck and Margie's 56 convertible T-bird in the lot; about as local as you're gonna get!

We were greeted with a whirling and smiling waitress who instructed us to "sit where ya want hun, and I'll be right with ya!"  We originally sat at the end of the counter, but one of the soda jerks advised to take a booth as we were right next to the "work zone" for an endless lineup of handmade shakes and malts being blended in old-school metal (loud) canisters. 

We moved to a corner table and ogled the menu, so many choices. We knew immediately that this was not gonna be one of those meals that our doc would have recommended - it was going to be a comfort food meal!  Phyl has spotted the homemade pies in the case when we walked in and had already decided to have dessert first - a generous slice of warm pecan pie with a dollop of whip cream and a large scoop of vanilla ice cream that was already beginning to melt into the pie when it was served.  Jer opted for the chicken fried steak with mash potatoes, covered in a creamy gravy with a side of fried okra and a homemade roll. No calorie countin' on rode trips!

The poet Maya Angelou says it best in her poem "The Health-Food Diner"...

No sprouted wheat and soya shoots

And Brussels in a cake,

Carrot straw and spinach raw,

(Today, I need a steak).

Not thick brown rice and rice pilaw

Or mushrooms creamed on toast,

Turnips mashed and parsnips hashed,

(I'm dreaming of a roast).

Health-food folks around the world

Are thinned by anxious zeal,

They look for help in seafood kelp

(I count on breaded veal).

No smoking signs, raw mustard greens,

Zucchini by the ton,

Uncooked kale and bodies frail

Are sure to make me run to

Loins of pork and chicken thighs

And standing rib, so prime,

Pork chops brown and fresh ground round

(I crave them all the time).

Irish stews and boiled corned beef

and hot dogs by the scores,

or any place that saves a space

For smoking carnivores.