Although I’ve never actually seen Disney’s Cars or any of its sequels – I'm more of a Death Race 2000 guy – my wife is a huge fan. It’s one of her favorite animated movies, especially because of Sally — the spunky little blue Porsche 911 Carrera who somehow manages to have more personality than most people.
So when our latest road trip brought us to Stroud and the Rock Café — a classic Route 66 stop whose owner, Dawn Welch, inspired the character of Sally — it felt like our two worlds had collided.
We went last weekend, driving 55 down Route 66 until we arrived. Even though it was a soggy-enough drive, it was also good-enough, with roadside fireworks stands lined up and down the road, their wares waiting to be shot off as the sun went down.
When we got to the city of Stroud, however, the whole town came out for the July Fourth celebrations. Kids in the streets were popping those span-poppers, and the skies were getting smokier as we neared Rock Café, located at 114 W. Main St.
As soon as we got out of the car, some older boys were setting off firecrackers in the gravel parking lot. The sickly white smoke of the small explosions slowly cleared, and out of the mire peeked the classic Disney-style grin of Sally.
Of course, my wife had to have a picture for her personal collection.
Picture taken, we went through the side door and into the dining room. More rustic than I imagined, the stone building gave off honeycomb vibes as a country-ish waitperson sat us down and gave us a couple of comically oversized menus.
With a cup of black coffee in my hand, we ordered our meals. As I took a look around, it was a pretty small dining area with plenty of Cars swag on the walls, but plenty of Route 66 memorabilia as well.
My wife chatted to me about Cars, her fandom, and the possibility of seeing Dawn at the restaurant, which patrons say happens often.
As I entertained her notions, our food was brought out to us in no time.
It was the German-based classic Jägerschnitzel ($13.73) for my wife. A true Bavarian staple with an Okie flair, it was a breaded and fried pork cutlet topped with a creamy bacon, onion, and mushroom sauce served with späetzle, or German-style noodles.
The chicken-fried pork cutlet was truly exceptional, with a bacon-heavy sauce giving a real oom-papa. Combined with the traditional German noodles, Rock Café’s version was finished with onions and peppers on their 75-year-old black top grill, “Betsy.” It was a wholly unexpected treat!
But, because I am an Oklahoman with real Oklahoman values, I had to get the Buffalo Burger ($15.62) with the fried okra. With all the burger-based accoutrements, such as melted cheese, grilled onions, and fat tomatoes, the meat was 100 percent locally-farmed buffalo.
Though it might look like a typical hamburger, it is anything but, starting with the buffalo. With a far gamier taste, it was a lean and mean protein, tasting the way a burger should. Even the produce on the burger tasted fresher.
This, I surmised as I took the last bite, is the way real meat should taste.
Wanting a sweet treat to cap off our visit, we opted for one of Rock Café’s most enduring recipes, Dawn’s Great Grandma’s Peach Cobbler ($6.23) with a slab of vanilla ice cream ($0.75).
Even though the burger was a true religious experience, the cobber ran a close second. This immaculate taste was more than impressive, as the warm cobbler and the ice cream smashed together in the middle in the best way possible.
But, as I was finishing the ice cream, my wife was already off to the Cars-based gift shop next door. As soon as I sauntered over, she had her arms full with a commemorative Sally t-shirt, some stickers, and a magnet for the refrigerator.
As we packed up and headed out, my wife still buzzing about Sally and me hoping my buffalo burger wasn't the one that killed the guy in Jones – different type of buffalo I guess – I realized that Oklahoma roadtripping with her has been my favorite thing this summer. The stop at Rock Café alone made this one well worth the amble.
Feeling full, a little cobbler-drunk, and mildly sentimental, I told my wife that maybe, when we get home, we can watch Cars together.
Cómpralo ya!
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Follow Louis Fowler on Instagram at @louisfowler78.
