 | Disappearing PlacesAn archive and collective map of places that no longer exist, at least not as they once did. |
Tuba City Truck Stop
Posted On Sunday April 29, 2007 By Paul V.
Tuba City is in northern Arizona, on the Navajo reservation, not far from the Grand Canyon, although most visitors to the Grand Canyon have probably never been there.
I probably wouldn’t have sought it out every time I was within a hundred miles, either, if not for the Tuba City Truck Stop, more like an old diner with a big parking lot, gas stations across the highway and the main street of Tuba City cutting across the other way. Truly the crossroads of Navajo and Hopi territory.
You could always find an interesting mix of people inside although, for the most part, it was Native Americans – or “First People,” as some of them now call themselves. “Indians” was what we called them when I was a kid, and the further back you go, the more derogatory the labels get. That’s not why I’m posting here, though.
I’m posting here because I miss the Tuba City Truck stop. One time, only a few years ago, I was heading down from Utah and on my way to Southern New Mexico. For about three hours, my mouth was watering over the thought of the Navajo Taco I was going to eat. The Truck Stop made a ton of great and unique dishes, but this was their most famous: real fry bread topped with beans – in the vegetarian version – lettuce, tomatoes, onions and cheese. Not comlex-sounding, but exquisite when done right, and they always did it right.
I would always get that and an iced tea. If I was feeling particularly gluttonous, I would get some jalapeno poppers, as well, then settle back in the seat of my truck, loosen my belt a little, and dazedly drive in whatever direction I was heading.
After I turned into the parking lot, I was horrified to see the whole structure gone. I went into the mini mart across the street and asked about it. They were a bit disinterested, but told me some story – not sure it was true or not, as is so often the case on the rez – about them not paying Hopi taxes or some such nonsense. They also told me that the same people were making the tacos at the trading post down the road in Cameron. I actually headed there, but my heart was broken. The Truck Stop had been perfect – it was small; it was a real social hub; it had a little outdoor desert garden with tables to eat at, shaded by canopies. It was old, but lovingly maintained.
When I got to Cameron, I just could not handle the tourist scene. I left.
One of the most treasured things I own is a t-shirt from the Tuba City Truck Stop.
Tags: american, arizona, hopi, native, stop, tacos, truck
This Location: Tuba City, Arizona
The red thumb tack marks the location of this disappearing place. Other places are marked with a blue thumb tack. You can scroll the map by dragging on it. Double click an area to center the map there. Use the tools on the map to scroll, zoom, and change it's appearance. Click on a thumb tack to see a preview of that disappearing place.Comments
I live in Tuba City and loved the Navajo Tacos from the Truck Stop. My best friend’s parents owned the truck stop.
The truth behind its closing is that the Hopi tribe held a counsel meeting and just decided that it needed to be ran by Hopi not Anglos. So they were told to close. The Hopi tribe kept it as a resturant but a fire broke out about a year and a half ago so the whole thing was torn down.
Hope this helps.
— LiAnne M. Sunday July 29, 2007 #
Tuba City Truck Stop served the best Navajo Taco on the planet. For me, it was THE reason to visit Tuba City.
— MikeB Monday January 14, 2008 #
When I was a kid (in the 60s and early 70s), my family stopped at Tuba City every year, even if it was out of our way, just to get those Navajo tacos. Then, Tuba City was a cafe, maybe a gift shop, and a gas station. A crossroads in the middle of nowhere. Blue linoleum tabletops. Clean, though.
The aroma was what got you first. You couldn’t smell a Navajo taco without wanting one. What’s trippy, though, is that it’s mostly beans and fry bread. Such a simple meal.
At one point, though, everything started tasting different. The beans were canned, not home-baked. The fry bread became tough, rather than flaky. We stopped coming to Tuba City.
I’ll never forget how good it was, though.
I should mention that the Snoqualmie Tribe here in Washington State do some damn good fry bread. Oh dear, it’s ALMOST as good as the Navajo style. They just haven’t figured out what to do with the spices, maybe.
And if anybody has a cool recipe for fry bread, please let me know.
— Darcy Saturday April 12, 2008 #
Hi – saddened to hear it gone! I’m a photographer about to do a little exhibit in NY on cafes and diners that have disappeared or are disappearing across the country – I’ve got a shot of a sign outside it from May, 1990 – I loved the Navaho tacos there – but also at the place in Mexican hat down by the river. the pic is on my page on smugmug
— Ann Monday July 28, 2008 #
I spent 3 weeks backpacking and some driving acrost the West about 10 years ago. I remember sleeping at in my car at the Tuba City truck stop. I agree this was a quaint -quirky and icon of the area.
— Kurt Tuesday December 2, 2008 #
We too had a great experience at the Tuba City truck stop. (See http://www.cross-country-trips.com/tuba-city for details)
Thanks for letting us know that it’s no longer in business.
— Herb Monday March 30, 2009 #
The Hopi tribe opened the “Tuuvi Travel Center” on six acres of land where the truck stop once stood. It opened in March of 2008. It is now a convience store with a mini strip mall of two restraunts, and small businesses (mostly selling hopi arts, and crafts. On the right side, construction is currently underway of a new 100 room motel, and conference center, which will have a swimming pool. It is expected to open to the public in the winter. The Local Moencopi Government is developing 72 acres of land across from Tuba City for well over 100 million dollars thats expected to create 400 jobs. I believe the TTC is already making a profit.
— Tuba Navajo Friday April 3, 2009 #
My father Walter Reid was the manager there for a long time. That was home to me. I remember alot of truck drivers even some famous people passing through there. Even a movie scene by Lou Diamond Phillips was shot there. Not one day goes by I don’t think about that place. My father sure made alot of friends there!
— Jerome Reid Saturday April 4, 2009 #
A friend of mine referred me to this site. I thought I would make a small comment. It nice to see how so many differnt people have fond memories of the Tuba City Truck Stop Cafe. I know I did. You see, it was my parents that had the restaurant. And the truth is… The Hopi Tribe & the Upper Village of Moencopi made the decision not to renew the lease. They did, in fact, see great business opportunities for them. There were eons of stars that passed thru to fill their tummies. But I always felt that it was the local people who made it what it was. And it was the employees that made the food so great. My family and I will always have fond memories. And have nothing but gratitude for the community and it’s many employees. My family n I all felt great sadness when the building demolished, as it was a landmark for Tuba City. The positive side to this story that the world changes, but we all still have our memories of a little diner called… Tuba City Truck Stop Cafe.
— Shannon Sunday April 26, 2009 #