After leaving family in the Denver area, we set out on our Route 66 Adventure. Sigrid thought it would be fun to follow Route 66 back as we headed for home since I will be 66 on September 25. One our way to Tucumcari, we passed through Santa Rosa, NM where we first picked up Old Route 66.
There are lots of iconic places along Route 66 and one of them is the Comet II Restaurant. Johnny Martinez owns and still runs the restaurant at age 81 (I hope I remembered his age accurately). The restaurant has been in the family since 1927 and the family has roots that go way back to the beginnings of Santa Rosa. Johnny is part Indian and part Mexican and he is a great guy to talk to as you enjoy his food.
Johnny's wall near the entrance is covered with all kinds of awards and articles about the restaurant and Santa Rosa.
Sigrid and I both had to try the Mexican special of the day.
Johnny came out to greet us and explain the menu.
Since it wasn't busy in the restaurant, he actually joined us and gave the complete history of the restaurant and Santa Rosa.....very fun. By the way, the reason this is the Comet II is that Comet I burned down a few years back. We even got to see newspaper clippings about the big hail storm that they had a few months back. We were sure glad we stopped to eat here. These are the kinds of experiences that we love so much as we travel.
I had to post this since it was on Johnny's wall and it made me laugh.
The first photo of me with a "66" sign at Johnny's.
Bellies full, we are on our way towards Tucumcari.
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