Last Call at The Heatwave Cafe

 November 4, 2025

   My neighbor and good friend. Bob White has a new book out on the posters of the 101 Ranch. And the guys who ran the ranch and the Wild West Shows they put on, were these three cats.

All Hat, Some Cattle

The Miller Brothers of Bliss, Oklahoma

(from the book)

   Here's the cover of Bob White and Dale Williams' new book featuring 101 Ranch Wild West Posters: 

   And this is one of my favorite posters and I have never seen it before.

Warning: Not that it matters, but most of what follows is true.

Last Fandango at The Heatwave Cafe

   Some of you know that I had an erratic, sordid career of being a drummer in honkytonk bands back in the day. They all seemed to have one thing in common: one guy thought he was the reason the band was any good and everyone else in the band hated that guy. I'm not saying every band had one—or, that I was never that guy—but I am saying petty hatred is a basic component of every band I encountered in the continental United States, post Buddy Holly.

   I've actually witnessed a steel guitar player pulling a pistol on a guitar player for being out of tune—in the middle of a song!—at the Moose Club on east Wilmot Road in Tucson. I've seen scores of X-rated makeout sessions on the dancefloor and, of course, I have been stiffed by club owners because I had the temerity to want to be paid.

   But, the wildest and craziest place I ever played was The Heatwave Cafe out on the Apache Trail.   It's been there forever, but imagine my surprise when I saw this notice in the paper.

Last Call

   The historic Heatwave Cafe is closing its doors Sunday before it undergoes a change in ownership, though plans for the dance hall-eatery remain unclear.

   According to longtime waitress, Patricia Veritehas, who said she has been working at the cafe for 18 years, employees were told that is was closing a few days ago, but weren’t give much information about why.

The Heatwave Cafe, 1973

   A sign on the front door warns of shorter hours because of staffing issues.

   It has been rumored that the original Queen of Country Swing will make an appearance on the last night of operation, but she could not be reached for comment.

"Don't hold your breath."

   Talk to any old-timers around the Valley and you will hear wild stories about what went on behind those classic wagon wheel windows.

Assorted Heatwave Mayhem

1953-2025

   The house band featured Jay Bob & The Ramrods, from about 1957 to 1983, but according to old-timers, they split up in the middle of a Hoyt Axton song and have never returned. Although there is a rumor they may play the last gig if two restraining orders can be lifted.

   From the beginning, the rowdy honkytonk featured performers from both sides of the border.

Tinker Fiero de Opodepe 

Billed as "The Mexican Muddy Waters"

   All the waiters wore big beach sombreros and played the part of what the owners called, "energetic pendejos."

Head Pendejo, Ernesto Casadueno

circa 1997

   This may seem hard for Millennials to believe, but sometimes dramatic plays were featured on Sunday. This is a promotional photo of the cast of "Hedda Gabler" a play by Henrik Ibsen at the Heatwave, circa, 1959.

"I S'pose!"

   Hailing from Bavispe, Mexico, the Chatahones clan, who originally owned the Heatwave Cafe, inter-married and divorced often, with horrific fist fights common between shifts.

   And, of course, it was at the Heatwave I encountered the prettiest, funniest and wildest "cowgirl" I have ever laid eyes on.

A Total Dream Girl at The Heatwave

   If you show up at the last fandango at the Heatwave Cafe this weekend, you can expect to see a lot of walkers and IV tubes, but you can bet your bottom dollar on one thing: there will be plenty of scores to settle.

   Boy Howdy!

—The Cattletrack Times

“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.”

—Louis L’Amour