22. Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In, Seligman, AZ

Just one block down from the Angel & Vilma’s Route 66 Visitors Center Gift Shop and Barber Shop in Seligman, Arizona, you can find the brightly colorful and wacky Route 66 historical landmark Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In, built by Angela’s older brother Juan in 1953.

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Juan, who passed away in 2004, was known as a prankster. He served up pranks right along with burgers, malts, tacos, burritos, and dead chicken. In my pre-trip research, I learned of the tricks. My fun come from my (situationally) clueless husband’s reaction. I don’t want to give everything away, but I made sure it was Bill who tried to open the door. (Look closely at the image below.)

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The man behind the counter sensed that I was in the know and my husband was not, so he played other tricks on my husband. When we received our order, I asked, “Are you part of the family.” “I’m the son,” he responded. “We try to keep the humor,” he added. He then picked up a “Look” candy bar in one hand and pointed it to a business card in the other hand. He gave me the card. I didn’t look at it closely at the time, but I expected it to have his name on it. Instead, written in the middle of the card were the words “My Card”; at the top, “Where We Get Our Kicks” (presumably from watching the reactions of clueless patrons); and toward the bottom, “Eat Here and Get Gas” and “Slightly Used Napkins and Straws.” [Later research revealed his name is John Michael Delgadillo.]

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In the end, a trick of sorts was played on me, though not intentionally. When we first drove into the historic district, I parked on the side street next to and behind the Snow Cap. So, on the way to the barber shop, we passed the Snow Cap and I shot a picture of the Snow Cap’s 1936 Chevy hardtop-turned-topless parade car with Santa driving and a Christmas tree in the back.

When I returned home and reviewed that image and compared it with those I made a bit later when we returned to the Snow Cap to eat, the car was facing toward the store! I just couldn’t imagine the car being turned around in that short time as it seems like a fixture….