Much has been said of the giant dinosaurs in Cabazon, California, as well as the outlet malls and the casino
but the legendary Wheel Inn has gone unnoticed for many years now. Once a beacon to travelers and truckers alike with its giant EAT sign, The Wheel Inn is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year just as it always has since opening in 1960.
A couple of decades ago, The Wheel Inn and gas station next door where the only attractions except for the dinosaurs. These days though with the influx of Indian gaming, Cabazon is very different. On a recent stop for lunch, The Wheel Inn was pretty empty of diners but I was happily surprised that little had changed inside since my first visit back in 1986. The façade and exterior have been updated through the years but thankfully no interior renovations have been done. In addition to the restaurant there is also a gift shop with an array of old postcards, t-shirts and toys for the kids.
There are three distinct desert cases - one when you walk in and two behind the counter and all are filled with cream pies, cobblers and cakes. The booths and counter stools are covered in a dark red naugahyde and the women working there are still called waitresses and not food servers. Keeping with tradition at such truck stop diners, I ordered the burger and fries and of course they were delicious and greasy.
The waitress called me honey and all seemed right with the world.... for at least an hour.
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