Where Ya Gonna Eat: Parker

Not far north up Highway 95 from Quartzsite lies the county seat: Parker. A wee bit bigger than Quartzsite --depending on how you look at it, Parker does boast two big grocery stores (Bashas and Safeway) and a casino. Parker also has one of the few affordable chiropractors in the area--those down in Blythe are priced for rich Californians. Some folks trundle there way up there from QZ to take advantage of these outfits, but where to eat?

First, let us strongly recommend avoiding the food at the casino. Yes, we know there'll be a few boos and hisses at our "non-endorsement." We've tried eating at the Blue Water several times, and sad to say, it ain't getting any better. In one humble opinion, the quality of the food is rated as "good" only by those who have lost their sense of taste. Into Chinese? OK, lots of folks swear by Parker's one Chinese joint, and while it did beat the Chinese food served in Quartzsite, it's still way less than stellar. Call it, "No amount of MSG will make the flavor reveal itself."

Having kicked up as much dirt as we can, the flesh-eater of the family can make one endorsement for a Parker purveyor of palatable provisions: Ruperto's Mexican Restaurant on Highway 95.

Ruperto's isn't long on ambiance, but simply food: The food's durn good. The combo plates offered here run the usual Mexican fare that could be found in any mexi-joint. But when you notice the huge packs of construction crew trucks and RVs piled up outside Ruperto's the question is: What are they eating? The specialty must be the special burritos and tortas.

This carnivore highly recommends the Arizona Burrito: A big old humongous giant sized tortilla, rolled up and stuffed with carne asada, spuds, and cheese. Or try the Texano: Pollo (translates "chicken" to the uninitiated), sour cream, cheese, and potatoes. How about the "Veggie" (Am I really talking about this?) Rice, beans, guacamole, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, salsa....oh my! It's almost enough to make even me think twice about my meat-eatin' ways.

And the prices? Hey, the exchange rate is good! Combos start at less than $5, the special burritos run from $2.75 to $3.15. Wash it all down with your favorite Norte Americano soda pop, or go native and buy a true Mexican fountain drink. Ruperto's is even worth making a special trip just for lunch.

Ruperto's is on Riverside Drive and Hopi Street.

Quartzsite: Recalled to Life

While the town council tries to make Quartzsite a "year around town," RVing is what brings life to this big little town each winter. And like the old gold rush days, there are plenty of vendors to supply the every need of those who come to this little town in the West. If the Old Prospector were to poke his head out the window and look down into LaPaz Valley, he'd see that things are coming back to life.

While there aren't "scads" of RVers yet, the support groups are getting plenty ready for them. Restaurants who hang out the "closed for the season sign" are cleaning the silverware: The Quail Cafe up on Moon Mountain is already dishing up food, as is the Palo Verde and La Casa Mi Rancho on Highway 95. Year-around outfits like Taco Mio and Janet's Kitchen are now serving their Friday fish specials. Noticeably absent from the line up? Sweet Darlene's is still closed up tight, but the rumor mill has it they're planning a new facade for their store.

Down at the other end of town, the future of the Stagecoach is questionable--at least in our opinion. "No Trespassing" and "Not for Lease" signs blanket the windows. What's the deal? One local source tells us that the outfit that owns the place isn't willing to offer up anything more to potential restaurateurs other than a month-to-month rental on the feed lot. With that kind of an offer, who really wants to invest the time and energy into opening the place up with the potential of getting skidded out the door on your fryer grease? Since the location is the weekly meeting place of the Escapees RV club, who knows what the future holds for coffee and gab for SKPs.

Other popular RV haunts are reviving: K&B Tools has the tent up and running. The Gambler appears to be dusting off his stock. The produce palace across the street from the post office began moving in last week, and the local "dent tents" for low priced groceries are geared up. Of course, the RV Pit Stop has been open all year, and Charlie is looking forward to seeing to it his customers have plenty of LP, fresh R.O. water, and ice at a buck a bag.

Come on down!

Purveyor Pokes Pinholes in Pizza Paucity

What many RVers have missed in Quartzsite might well be taken care of: Good pizza--delivered.

A little electric car is now flitting about Quartzsite, delivering those Italian wheels, gooey with cheese, and flowing with fragrance. Did you meet Otis last year, when he was down by the Quartzsite Yacht Club? Don't look for him there this year: Pizza Wheel has moved location and spiffed up in the Quartzsite General Store parking lot. Here's a spot where you can cruise in, bring your own soda (or buy one of his) and sit under the shade of a new pizza tent. Or, for some, even better, pick up that cell phone and dial in for delivery: Yep, Otis will now bring your pizza to you for just a buck additional.

If you're not familiar with the Pizza Wheel's offerings think of "The Fifty Pounder." Yeah, 50 pounds would be a lot of pizza, but we'll reveal the "secret:" 50 slices of pepperoni plus a full pound of cheese. A 20 incher that will feed 5 or 10 folks. I dunno, my taste buds turn over just dreaming of the Supreme: sausage, sweet peppers, onions--and I'll add a bit of those optional pineapple bits. Could I mow my way through 14" of Supreme for $11.99? Time will tell.

Otis' Pizza Wheel offers four varieties of pizza in three different sizes--it's his specialty. But don't let your guard down: Already the pizza is proving priceless--two times already (before the season is rolling) Otis has run out of dough: "When it's gone, it's gone," Otis shrugs. There's only so much room in the pizzeria.

Pizza Wheel at 410 East Main Street--the Old B-10--open 11AM to 7PM, but closed Tuesdays. Give 'em a call for in-town delivery at (928) 927-5339.

And beware: It's presumed prodigal pepperoni purchases will propagate your paunch.