 | 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
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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 #