Last spring, you may have watched a reality show on CMT called “Popularity Contest.” In it, 10 contestants from the big city were plopped down in the Route 66 town of Vega, Texas, to win over residents and vie for a $100,000 prize they would split with one Vega citizen.
The Chicago baseball scout, Alex Slattery, earned the most votes from Vega to become the town’s “newest resident” and take home $50,000. The New Jersey chef and restaurateur, Rory Schepisi, finished second and didn’t win anything.
But in the months since the so-called “reality” series, it’s fascinating to see how real life
turns out. Slattery has made few visits to Vega since winning the grand prize. But the runner-up, Schepisi, sold her New Jersey restaurant, moved to Vega in January, has fallen in love with a local, and is building a new restaurant on Route 66.
“Even though I didn’t win the money, I kept my promise” to return to Vega, Rory Schepisi said from Vega in a phone interview. “I speak with a lot of people who would change their votes now.”
Schepisi is building her Boot Hill Saloon & Grill at the southeast corner of Route 66 and U.S. 385 in Vega. The building will have a restaurant on one side and an Old West-style tavern on the other.
She said Boot Hill will serve “American comfort food,” with 16-18 appetizers and entrees such as steak, chicken, pizza, seafood and vegetarian options. There will be a porch on three sides of the building for outdoor dining, and a fireplace. Schepisi said she hopes to open Boot Hill for a New Year’s Eve party, then have the business fully operational in February.
The saloon’s decor will be based on the long-defunct Wild West town of Tascosa, Texas, where Boys Ranch is now. Dot Leavitt of Dot’s Mini-Museum, which is on an old Route 66 alignment in Vega, is helping her decorate the saloon. Schepisi said it will feature live entertainment most Fridays.
Schepisi is friends with the Hickory Inn’s owners. To keep from competing with that longtime Route 66 restaurant, Schepisi said Boot Hill won’t open until 2 p.m. on weekdays, after the Hickory Inn’s regular hours. On weekends, Boot Hill will open at 10 a.m., including Sunday brunch. Boot Hill will be open until at least 10 p.m. seven days a week.
Schepisi once owned and operated the Bourbon Street restaurant in New Jersey, which now is the Cornerstone. “My family thinks I’ve lost my mind” for moving to Vega, she said.
So what attracted her to become a full-time Vega resident?
Schepisi said she enjoys the circle of friends she cultivated during “Popularity Contest” tapings. Having lived the rat race on both coasts, she also said her new friends’ lifestyles struck her as refreshing.
“It’s such a simple way of life,” Schepisi said. “It’s just a breath of fresh air.”
She also acknowledged she’s fallen in love with one of those Vega friends, Klay Waters, who trains quarterhorses and cutting horses.
Schepisi said one other thing attracted her to Vega.
“The skies out here are unbelievable,” she said. “The sunsets out here are to die for. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
I’ve been told that Vega residents are thrilled that a nighttime restaurant is coming. The other eateries in Vega close early, are open sporadically, or are fast-food chains near the interstate.
I also think the restaurant, coupled with Schepisi’s energy, ambition and experience, will help Vega become more of a destination and give the town a shot in the arm. A good example of this is Dawn Welch and her successful Rock Cafe in Stroud, Okla.
I know where Rory can get free photographs of Route 66 icons — and perhaps something a bit more luminous and a bit more significant — to display in her restaurant if she would like them.
‘Twould be exceedingly cool if we could get Tresa reopened (and better still, relit!) in time to put up some of those New Year’s Eve revelers.
Barring any unexpected ice storms, count me in for the grand opening.
This is about the best darn news of the week!.
I guess I better pencil in the big New Years Eve Bash now.
I am glad someone else’s family thinks they are crazy for packing up and moving to where the stars can be seen most nights.
Good reporting and news as always, Mr Warnick.
Thank you, Mr. Willman.
I, for one, am looking forward to having a nice meal at Boot Hill when it opens.
G’day,
This story would make a good background and plot for a movie. đ
Has Rory seen CARS?
I love it. I shall be stopping there on my trip next summer.
The Wombat
I watched “Popularity Contest” and I thought that It was
a pretty good show. It did a lot for Route 66 and the people living in Vega. If at all possible I will try to make it to the grand opening since I have a tattoo of “Dots Mini Museum” sigh on my right arm.
Rory, good luck with the restaurant.
I know Rory’s Family and they’re the last one’s that should be accusing anyone else of being crazy! LOL (sorry Schepisi’s, I couldn’t resist.) I think it’s the best move of her life, and I’m just jealous I’m not out there with her. Good Luck Rory.
Rory used to run a kitchen and restaurant for me… The good people of Vega are in for a real treat!
Hopefully she”ll be bringing you her Famous Spinach Dip.
David Dick
Rory, my friend Good luck to you, I know it will be a success and I am still waiting for you to wake up Florida.
As a Vega resident and one of the families that housed the contestants on Popularity Contest, I am absolutely thrilled about Rory opening her restaurant here in Vega. This will be a big boost for us here in Vega and anyone who eats there is in for a big treat. Thanks Rory for being true to your word!
as a former boyfriend and coworker I know Rory will have a sucess shes derserves it.
As one of Rory’s crazy relitives I would Like to say Good Luck Rory. After Bourbon Street, it should be interesting to see the end results with Boot Hill. For those of you that never saw Bourbon Street in New Jersey, it was a down to earth New Orleans restaurant, with the decor, food and music When Rory get’s an idea in her head, she goes all the way with it so get excited it should be great!!
Rory,
I had the pleasure of meeting you this past weekend at the OCCC. I got to go on the pheasant hunt with Vega’s one and only “Professional Golf-Courser” Dave Taylor. I saw the Club and thought it was a great idea for the town. If you’re ever in the need for a good band to play there, look in to the Bart Crow Band. He is my little brother-in-law and we are from a town called Maypearl Tx, it’s even smaller than Vega! They are pretty good so check em out at http://www.bartcrow.com
GOOD LUCK.
Brent
Rory Schepisi
I am your second cousin once removed from Boston, Massachusetts. I would like to contact you by email, so if possible and interested to get in touch let me know. I keep in touch with your sister Holly and occasionally with tour Dad John.
Congratulations on your new enterprise
Your cousin
Joe Felix
I’ve liked Rory since I watched her in ‘Popularity Contest’. Now I’m watching her on the Food Network. Rory, I rooting for you to win!
When I saw you on the Food Network show, I didn’t realize you had moved to Vega and I was so happy to hear that you and Klay are a couple!
Go Rory!
So if Rory wins the Food Network Star Challenge will she tape the show in Vega TX or will someone else be running the Boot Hill?
i knew rory for a short time while working w/ her at a restaurant, about 10 years ago, in ridgewood, nj. (remember the lions & the monkeys, rory?) didn’t take long to realize she’s gutsy, tough, and ambitious. some things never change! guess you’re one of the lions, now. good for you.
dyan
Way to go for your Win on the “Food NetWork” and the oping of your Restauant, I live in Fort Worth, Texas. But I’m from small town Sweetwater, Texas and I think you will do great with your Restaurant !! Cant wait for that drive to try your place. I know the drive will be worth it!! Way to go… Keep up the great work !!
Thom Davis Dallas Texas, we saw Rory on the food network. We were so disappointed she didn’t win. I hope Rory has other plans in getting on the TV. Paula Deen wrote a cookbook to get attention, I hope Rory has the same plans. I’d love to have some of her recipes and still have hope on seeing her someday on the FoodNetwork. GoodLuck Rory.
Rory, I still liked you the best! I was really upset that you didn’t win. I followed the challange of the Next Food Network Star from the beginning and I loved your food ideas. Wish there was such a thing as tasteavision and smellavision. I hope good things happen and someday you will be on TV, maybe your own program. I just hope that I will be able to watch. How about a cookbook as someone else suggested. Keep Coooking and God Bless!
Rory, my husband and I followed you al the way through the Next Food Network show. We were really rooting for you. We live in Amarillo and plan to come to Vega to your restaurant and meet you. Best of luck to you. You are “real”.
Rory,
I have perfect decor for your restaurant!
Check out the Bronze Sculpture at http://www.iomet.com/sculptures
The sculpture named “Range Doctors”
A couple of Cowboys ‘doctoring cattle’ out on the range! It is perfect for your new place and for sure great for Vegas or Texas and every Cowboys idea of fabulous art work and the work is created with such great realism.
Check it out!
I demand a re-count!!! Rory you deserved to
win! The winner should have been you after
the JAG thing.
Rory.. we are coming from Dallas to Vega for August 11th ROUND UP! Last time we were there I got to meet you at the street dance and it was a pleasure, Hope I get to see you a again, we plan on going to Boot Hll on Friday night fo dinner. Since my husband is fom Vega and his parents still live there maybe you know them The Cassetty’s we are visiting them too of course, they said they have been to your restaurant already and loved it.. so.. please be cooking on Friday nite the 10th!!! hee hee
Rory…We are NJ Transplants living in Big Spring, TX. What an adjustment! I watched Food Network Star faithfully and can not figure out how a person who was voted off by the judges ended up being the winner. When I tried to vote online, I immediately got the message “thanks for voting” but never knew who I voted for.
On July 28th we stopped by the Boot Hill around three PM and was dissapointed to find the restaurant closed. We didn’t see any hours of operation posted. We will return but will have to find out the hours.
You are the winner in our book,
Don and Ellen Austin
Congrats on opening the restaurant. I was raised in Vega and the location you have was once a cafe where my grandmother work many years. I think it was operated by the Taylors. My grandmother Lillie Jackson and my grandad Oren (Slim) Jackson resided in Vega for many years. If all plans work out I should be visiting Vega in October 2007, for the first time since 1978. If I do get there I will stop and visit a while.
Wow, to see all this stuff and these people wanting to visit little old Vega, As most people have staed either live there now, grew up there I find it a little exciting to read. I also grew up in Vega right on old 66, next to the old BAR O. My parents still live there, but reside in San Diego, Ca. I know round up is this weekend and I am sure Rory will be busy, but Rory maybe you can get Clay Watters, you cowboy, to help out in the kitchen. I hope the resturant does well and the next time I vist will enjoy eating there. In closing all I can say is WOW
hi Rory,
It is good to see another yet another Schepisi being a success. I am trying to extend our family tree and would appreciate if you could contact me
Frances Schepisi
No matter what, I am penciling in all of my plans until the saloon and grill open. I have told everyone that their plans are tentative until i know when it will open because if it opens on a night that i already have plans, guess what gets erased and written in marker….. Boot Hill Here I come!!!!!!!!!!
It’s been open for a few months, Wil.
We went there a few weeks after it opened. Read here:
https://www.route66news.com/2007/10/03/an-evening-at-boot-hill-saloon-and-grill/
WE VISITED BOOT HILL SALOON AND WERE SORELY DISAPPOINTED IN THE FOOD. BUT EVEN MORE CONCERNING WAS THE FACT THAT THE WOMEN’S RESTROOM IS NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR THE HANDICAPPED. A PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR COULD NOT REACH THE FAUCET, SOAP DISPENSER OR PAPER TOWELS WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. I BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE RESTAURANT BY WRITING TO THEIR WEBSITE AND RECEIVED THIS REPLY WHICH I ALSO RESPONDED TO AFTER I HAD CONTACTED THE ADA TO MAKE A COMPLAINT. THIS IS WHAT WAS WRITTEN:
To: mr791497@hotmail.com
Subject:
Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:30:36 -0400
From: rory
I’m sorry that you are upset but both bathrooms passed inspection for disabled guest. I find it kinda rude that you have to go through so much trouble to prove instead of just calling me. Thanks contacting ADA, That rocks
BootHill Saloon & Grill
909 Vega Blvd
Po Box 70, Vega Texas
806-267-2904
806-267-2926 fax
201-xxx-xxxx cell
Rory,
I consider your reply shocking, extremely rude, and heartless for someone who owns a restaurant and depends on the customers who frequent it. The women’s restroom can NOT accommodate a person in a wheelchair whether you passed inspection or not. I did not enter the men’s room, so I don’t know about it. I just pray you never have a loved one who becomes handicapped for whatever reason and has to live in a world that is so self-concerning that their life is limited unnecessarily.
Before even considering contacting the ADA, I spoke to the hostess at the restaurant who should have offered your name or number if I had a concern, but instead shrugged her shoulders. (By the way, “kinda” is not a word.) Maybe you should hire someone to answer your email that is literate and polite and your business might do better.
Just so you know, I, myself, am not disabled, but have friends and loved ones who are and find it disturbing that your attitude is such that you would write back the response that you did. Obviously, you are in it for your own personal gain and not to take care of customers. It is a serious matter in our country to discriminate against the handicapped no matter who you are, even if you have been on television.
I contacted the ADA because it is the right thing to do and not because it “rocks.” It is sad that you are not aware of others needs and run a place supposedly open to the general public.
Good Luck with your business. I doubt it will make it simply because of your careless approach to the people who you serve. In the Panhandle, it is word of mouth that either makes you or breaks you. I am betting on the latter.
Michele Reed
“What lies behind us and lies before us are tiny matters in comparison to what lies within us.”
Saturday night we happened upon this place purely by accident. Our family of four were on our way back to Dallas area from Colorado and were looking for a hotel and dinner. It was the only place open late and we were blown away by how good it was.
Not being that hungry we stuck to appetizers but the nachos were good, the spinach dip was great, the chili was amazing and mini-burgers were perfect.
We have already told several friends about the place and will make this a regular stop from here on out on trips that go through Amarillo.
Our waitress told us the owner had been on reality shows and after seeing the pic on this website we realize she was tending bar that night.
Great story, great food – go by and check it out.
P.S. I work in healthcare and the men’s restroom seemed ADA appropriate…..
It just goes to show that you can fall in love with a place and it can really grab you, even if you don’t think it would.
This whole piece actually reminded me of the film ‘Cars’. Remember how the race car in that hated the little town (on route 66) that he ended up in, only to fall in love with it at the end.
I, for one, wish Rory Schepisi the best of luck with the business.
Ate here tonight for the first time. We traveled the 66 on our honeymoon TX to Cali and were heading back. Didn’t want to stay in Amarillo and opted for the Best Western in Vega. Went to the Boot Hill Saloon, and was SO PLEASED!! The food was incredibly delicious. The server, Kaitlyn was training a new girl (Britney?)… both of them were very attentive and polite. I asked many questions about the building and they were nice enough to entertain me with stories of how it was built. My compliments also to Rory, the chef, incredible, I can’t say enough. You MUST visit Boot Hill, you will not be disappointed.
My wife and I are heading back home from our over 2 week getting married in Vegas and honeymoon trip. We’re going back to Wichita Falls, TX. and just happened to end up staying at a motel in Vega, TX. for the night. We tried your Boothill Saloon and loved the atmosphere of the place. The saloon truly looked like it really was back from the old west times. We also loved the service. The service was friendly and attentive and some of the best service we’ve gotten from any restaurant in a long time. It’s obvious that you take pride in the food you make and take pride in good customer service. For the few people that had negative things to say, of course unfortunately no matter how hard you try, you can’t please everyone and some people were just put on this Earth to be negative it seems. Word of mouth is a big deal in Texas for sure and that’s why you’ll be around for years to come. Texas is lucky to have you and I’m glad you found your true love in Texas and also are fulfilling your dream. Best of luck to you. We definitely plan to make return trips to your restaurant. 5 hours isn’t too much to drive for the experience.