Spinning yarns about Oklahoma Joe’s October 28, 2007
Posted by Ron in Businesses, History.trackback
Johnny Mango at Duke City Fix shows a postcard of one of Albuquerque’s first barbecue joints, Oklahoma Joe’s, on Central Avenue (aka Route 66) near the University of New Mexico campus.
Mango said Okie Joe’s, later known as Okie’s, was known for 10-cent beer nights, with the brew served in paper cups. It was a popular imbibing spot for many years.
Okie’s is not there anymore; a convenience store took its place. But Duke City Fix wants to hear stories about it.
I spent alot of time in okie joe’s in the 70’s. Wildest most fun bar I have ever been in,or heard about.It was pure fun for a long while..I meet many people there who became life long friends.Ten cent beer and wine coolers. Everbody had a joint it seemed. Just stand at the bar and someone would pass you one. Hope to hear from some of you old dopers. Pepper Lewis
Was a customer–then a bartender–at Okies during the 1970’s. Probably shared a few j’s with Pepper along with some shots of tequila. Favorite bar band was Cadillac Bob. Like me, most of the workers were Vietnam vets, so we all had something in common even if it was just our PTSD. Fun place that closed when it should have! How about a reunion?
Did you know Red ,Albert,Russell,Stretch,or Hap?
Oh yea How about Jimmy schultz? Pepper
Winter here.
Pepper, I remember having breakfast with you and Peggy Aguilar after Okie’s closed on more than one occasion. In later years I worked behind the bar myself, and at the door. Besides Jimmy Schultz, Red (Steve) Atkinson, and Albert there were Mike Murphy, Walt Nygard, Dave Case, Kevin Simons, Dick Tassett, Fuzzy, John Fowler, John Ice, and a host of others in attendance.
If I recall correctly, Quentin Tarantino used to come in there when he was younger. I’d be interested to know if anyone else can confirm that.
Like many of us, I have Okie’s tales that will never see print (Fifth Amendment). Here’s one that’s safe to tell:
On a Friday night Fuzzy and I were swabbing out the back room, a fearsome task–like cleaning the Augean stables, only not as sanitary and not as much fun. As we were mopping near the emergency exit on the west side of the building a group of loaded customers tried to break the door down. They didn’t know it was unlocked, but Fuzzy and I figured they’d find out soon enough. Okie’s bartenders were always prepared–Fuzzy and I grabbed a table, held it in front of us like a shield, and when the drunks finally burst through the door we charged, knocking them all back out the door on their keesters. Locking the door seemed prudent …there came more banging and some quite inventive invective, but they couldn’t get back in. Fuzzy and I finished mopping and went to join the rest of the crew in raiding the beer cooler.
All the best,
Winter