Seligman, Arizona: Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In

Route 66's prime purveyors of food gags, carried on by a second generation of the prankster Delgadillo family.

Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In

I truly love the Delgadillo family. These people have the time to give you the time. The Snow Cap is a family affair. I like the 1936 Chevy that they drive. Juan was like no other, but a second Dad to me. Joe and Angel, Juan's brothers, are making a music C.D. as I speak in memory of the family's big band music. It was a moving event to hear them all play at the 50th anniversary of the Snow Cap being open against all odds.

Everyone is right, Juan is still doing his tricks only on son John. This lets us all know it is O.K. and John is making Papa PROUD. I have the pleasure of taking care of the neon on the store to make it so bright Juan can see. We love and miss you Juan! You made the best food on the planet!

[Jeff Register, 05/07/2008]

Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In

During a recent trip to Flagstaff, I decided to take my family the extra 70 miles west to see Seligman and stop in at the world famous Sno Cap.

It was around 1 pm and the place was busy. We overheard some new jokes while standing in line. Funny how the jokes John-Michael and Robert tell take a minute to sort of "sink in" ...making them even funnier. It was a very cool day and a young and very attractive woman ahead of us ordered a hot tea. When it was ready, Robert handed it to her and said "a hot tea for the hot-ty". It took about 3 seconds for everyone to get the joke...the laughter erupted and could be heard outside.

The Delgadillos are truly committed to carrying out their father's legacy...and are doing a masterful job. Keep up the great work. The Cheeseburgers with cheese and the malts are the best! I'll be back every chance I get.

[Vic Gutierrez, 10/13/2007]

Delgadillo's Snow Cap

My uncle was the clown prince of Route 66, in Seligman, Arizona. As a boy growing up there I watched Juan, my grandfather, uncles, and my dad help build the Snow Cap.

From the start, Juan pulled his tricks on all who came in; as the years went by, things were added to the Snow Cap. Each time we went to visit there was always something new, whether it was a trick or the outside decor.

My cousins are taking up where my uncle left off. It is great fun and good food, even if you are served dead chicken sandwiches or cheese burgers with cheese.

We all miss Juan, we know he watches over the place at all times.

[Ted Moore (Phoenix, Arizona), 12/18/2006]

Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In

I was saddened to hear about Juan's death on the radio back in June of 2004. We had been planning a Route 66 trip for several years, and meeting Juan was one of the "musts." We thought when we made our trip in 2006 that the Sno Cap might not be the same, and may not even be open for business. Imagine our great surprise when we not only found the Sno Cap alive and well, but Juan's clone as well! I got "squirted" with the yellow mustard, and was offered real sucky, sucky straws! I purchased a print of the Sno Cap and had Juan's son ship it to me (we were on motorcycles) and to my delight, the postage was all Jim Hensen's Muppet stamps. He made me laugh 1,000 miles away! Thanks Delgadillo's! Juan would be proud!

[Becky Collins, 11/23/2006]

Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In

I convinced my girlfriend to stop by Seligman with me on our way back from the Grand Canyon, after reading about the Snow Cap on this site.

I had a good laugh though when we walked up and my girlfriend saw the "Closed" sign to which her first reaction was "Wait, is this place open?" despite the people we saw eating when we pulled up. Fortunately, I had heard about some of the jokes before going, so I did not fall for the fake doorknob. My girlfriend, however, did.

We got inside, and we realized we only had about 13 bucks cash on us. She asked Juan's son if they take credit card (Juan's son is a spitting image of his father). In true friendly fashion, he said "what do you want, we'll make it work." I, of course, responded, "Ok, then we'll take one of everything...", to which he squirt the mustard at us. I'll admit that even though I had read about it, I was still caught by surprise. Juan's son laughed and we agreed that it was an "oldie but a goodie."

I knew the place was historic, but I was surprised to see a famous Route 66 painting and realize that it was the Snow Cap pictured in the painting. It was also a bit surprising when a bus full of British tourists pulled up, but I'm glad because I'm sure it helps keep the business going. The food was great, and we had a good time. Man, those cheesebrugers with cheese sure are fantastic!

[James C, 09/10/2006]