This is one desert hallucination that doesn't evaporate as you approach. The giant longhorn skull entrance at the Longhorn Bar & Grill is a real eyecatcher, appearing as the occasional cinematic backdrop.
It was built in the 1970s by "a fellah from California." according to "Al" at the restaurant. Lots of people around Amado incorrectly take credit "for building the skull." Al didn't want to say any more. "It's a political thing."
But business must be good -- the Longhorn Grill has recently renovated and expanded to include a spaghetti restaurant. The skull remains unblemished, but we can't help imagining: long fake pasta strands wrapped between the two horns, giant meatballs in the eyeholes? Maybe better left alone...
The Longhorn Grill is across the street from the Cow Palace Restaurant, a renowned steakhouse and watering hole for meandering Hollywood stars in the 1930s. Framed on the walls are photos of the likes of John Wayne, Douglas Fairbanks, and Mae West, alongside mounted heads of wildlife.
