On the west side of Interstate 19 in the town of Amado, located about half way between Tucson and Nogales, you will come across a pair of enormous longhorns towering above the cactus and sagebrush. Don't worry, it's not a mirage or an experiment to solve world hunger with super-sized bovines. It's the entrance to the Longhorn Grill, a long time Southern Arizona watering hole and occasional cinematic backdrop.
Perhaps you recognize the Longhorn Grill. It was featured in the movies, "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," directed by Martin Scorcese and "Boys On The Side," staring Whoopi Goldberg and Drew Barrymore. Despite the fame, the Longhorn never let it go to its head -- pun intended. It's still a neighborhood bar, filled with its share of regular customers.
One loyal customer, Oscar, has been coming to the Longhorn for 30 years. He told me that in the early days there was a bakery next to the bar and a lake out back where children would fish and enjoy paddle boats. Both are gone. The only evidence of the truth to his story is a large impression in the dirt where the lake once was.
Today, a family-style restaurant has been added next door, featuring a wide selection of Italian, Mexican and America food. But the true flavor of the Longhorn is in the bar. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by for a burger and beer and tell Oscar I said, "Hi!"
No comments:
Post a Comment