In the Western US, diners are few and far between. Despite
their rarity, they have a habit of finding a home in the
most unlikely places like Truckee, California, a somewhat
toursity town in the Sierras that capitalizes on its
frontier atmosphere. A 1951 Kullman Diner moved here from
West Chester, PA, certainly breaks the theme.
Unfortunately, Andy's Truckee Diner was closed when I
passed through. It had just been taken over by its third
owner in about 5 years and was in the process of being
restaffed.
I drive west about 20 miles to Reno, Nevada, a more
suitable place for a diner, I thought. On Virginia Avenue,
the main drag, about a mile or so south of the "Biggest
Little City in the World" arch and more lighting wattage
than I would care to estimate, lies the Chili Cheez Cafe.
I could have easily missed this tiny 1947 10 stool
Valentine. The Casinos have certainly done all in their
power to get all of my attention, but someone else can hit
the jackpot today. I am content with the anticipation that
the only big payoff I will get while in Reno is a good
breakfast, and hopefully some interesting converstation.
It's about 30 degrees, an unusually cold day for
late-October in Reno. Helen Lewis wasn't too happy about
the ice on her car today. She left suburban Chicago 20
years ago after it hit 20 below. Normally, Reno is a much
warmer place. At the time Helen was a manager working for
the now defunct restaurant chain Sambos which sent her at
her request to "a warmer place." When Sambos closed, she
found empolyment at Landrums Cafe at 1300 Virginia Avenue.
Not long after she bought the place and renamed it "Chili
Cheez Cafe." I suppose the name has something to do with
one of the omlettes served here which is filled with a
generous ammount of chili con carne and, you guessed it,
cheese. It also comes with a dish of fresh, homemade
salsa.
As I wait for my breakfast, I chat with a retired fellow
who remembers the day they brought the diner here in 1947.
Apparently he has been comming here ever since then. Talk
about customer loyalty...
Update 3/27/01: The Chili Cheez has closed and is now a
real-estate office!
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