On the edge of an old western movie set in Pioneertown, CA sits an old biker roadhouse called Pappy & Harriet’s. It was originally founded by Harriet’s mom in 1972 as an outlaw biker bar called The Cantina, which she operated for 10 good years. When Mom decided to sell, Harriet and her husband (affectionately known as Pappy) decided to step in. While not shunning the bikers, Pappy & Harriet managed to create a friendlier atmosphere in the place by bringing in live music and family style BBQ dinners.
In 1994 Pappy died and it changed hands several more times. In danger of closing down and becoming a forgotten piece of history, it was purchased by two New Yorkers who had fallen in love with the place. They bought it in 2003 and while keeping the original integrity, charm and grit, turned it into a “must play” on the indie music circuit. Big names like Robert Plant and Sean Lennon have played there, as well as Sonic Youth, Calexico and The Donnas who seem to love the down-home unpretentiousness and genuine enthusiasm of the desert crowd.
The dining hall and bar walls are covered from floor to ceiling with band flyers, old license plates, photos and taxidermy, giving the venue a timeless quality. Their menu is the antithesis of the now popular raw, vegan and micro-brew scene as the kitchen serves up hefty portions of roadhouse classics like ribs, top sirloin, and Santa Maria tri-tip—all grilled outdoor over a mesquite fire on the back patio. Of course, all this is to be washed down with an icy cold Bud or PBR from the bar.
While the desert can seem like a vast sweltering wasteland, Pappy & Harriet’s is truly an oasis where road-trippers and desert rats alike can share good music, good food and friendly small-town vibes.
×Stephen Zeigler
Started goin there in the early '70's while stationed at MCAS El Toro CA, became good friends with John and Francis...spent MANY a night/weekend there...in early days, it was pretty much anything goes, we wore firearms whilst playin pool, and John would close down and alet us who were friends stay in and we'd all stay up till dawn sometimes having a brew and talking motorcycles and good times. In those days we parked out scooters just outside the Cantina and slept just about where ever we chose...we even had a favorite place down in the wash past the Cantina....lots of parties there in the day. The transition to Pappy and Harriet's was not a bad thing. Times changed a bit and P&H carried on the tradition. I slept many a night out behind P&H's place there in Pi-Town....Their door was always open to us and we got hot meal any time...Have not been in many a moon now....fond thoughts of the times spent there flood back every time I think of Pioneer Town, Cantina, Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley... I truly LOVED John and Francis, I loved Pappy and Harriet and will always rember the days as some of the best days. I moved to Tennessee in 1999, still ride Harley Davidson but the "roudy" days are done, for one I'm older and mellower, 2 I now wear a badge/gun for work as i am sworn peace officer, but I'll always have a little "outlaw" in me and I'll always remember with the greatest love for Pioneer Town ,,, the Cantina (John and Fraqncis), Pappy and Harriets Place and the Fantastic people who owned and operated them.
Visit me on Facebook page, where I'll be posting or have already posted some old photos of the early days of the Cantina...
Posted by: Constable Tom Dallas, Macon County Tennessee | September 12, 2011 at 11:53 PM
I'd love to see some pics from the "good ol' days". Can't find you on FB!??
Posted by: Sheryl | September 13, 2011 at 07:31 AM
Never mind, I found you :)
Posted by: Sheryl | September 13, 2011 at 07:32 AM
Remember those days (70's) well. Use to get Tattooed in the kitchen too.
Posted by: Too Tall | October 23, 2011 at 10:13 AM
I just love the micro scooters. This blog is really pretty about the return of the micro scooters. Have a wonderful day!
Posted by: micro scooters | April 10, 2012 at 08:10 PM
You're a hoot. Loved seeing the dreset--haven't been to the dreset since I was a kid. It has an odd appeal, almost cosmic and I've been wanting to return. Our son and dil moved to TX not long ago so next visit we may just go further west. And sitting on a boulder under the stars on New Years Eve--awesome way to celebrate. A starry night sky is sort of like the ocean--both are awesome and full of wonder.I was a teen in the late 60's, and familiar with the Byrds and the Rolling Stones, but never heard of Gram. His music is more country than rock to my ear (I watched the video).The motel reminds me of the ones we--me, mom and dad and sibling-- stayed in when we travelled out west...a neat retro experinece I bet.Though I think I'd prefer a room where no one had expired, LOL. I think the spirit world is as real as this physical world. If we could see the unseen beings, including the heavenly host, we'd be dumbfounded I think.Thanks for sharing your experience. Now I want a burrito.
Posted by: Chuck | May 28, 2012 at 10:58 PM
Thoroughly enjoyed your show on Thursday in Oakland. You have a cugoaniots smile and really look like your enjoying yourself. Looking forward to seeing you guys again in SF next month hope to make it to Big Sur!! I'm a huge CR fan and love, love, love the CRB vibe and music.
Posted by: Ashley | May 28, 2012 at 11:40 PM