The landmark Teofilo’s Restaurante in Los Lunas, New Mexico, recently added a neon sign that pays tribute to its Route 66 location and heritage.
According to the Valencia County News-Bulletin, restaurant owner Johnnah Torres wanted something more eye-catching and durable than the previous wooden sign.
When thinking about what to do, Torres said it dawned on her that this would be a great opportunity to make a new sign that gives homage to the original Route 66, which includes Main Street in Los Lunas where Teofilo’s resides.
“We are always trying to make our place more welcoming and thought we could really bring some light to this street,” said Torres.
Longtime neon artist Robert Randazzo, owner of Absolutely Neon along Route 66 in Albuquerque, fashioned the neon sign and installed it in March.
Randazzo said he hopes the new sign does what neon does best and attracts customers “because that’s what a good sign does; it makes people want to stop and in (Teofilo’s) case, have something to eat.”
“It’s a nice addition, not only for us, but the whole street,” said Torres. “I think it will be iconic for decades to come and will add to our legacy, so we’re excited.”
Teofilo’s posted a few photos of Randazzo installing the neon sign:
Teofilo’s has operated in that location for almost 40 years, which is substantial on its own merits. But the house it occupies dates to 1913, built by Dr. W.F. Wittmer.
Pete Torres Jr. and his wife Hortencia debuted Teofilo’s there in 1985.
Los Lunas was part of Route 66 from 1926 to 1937, when the highway was realigned in a straighter direction from east to west.
(Image of Teofilo’s new neon sign via the restaurant’s Facebook page)