11 Feb Rod’s Steakhouse, Williams, Arizona
Williams, Arizona is a charming, historic Route 66 town that has kept itself alive with a thriving tourist business and a great train ride to and from The Grand Canyon. We got out of the car and walked around town and I thrilled to many great old and new signs there, but the one that really gets top billing is Rod’s Steakhouse. It was sadly closed both times I’ve made this trip, which is sad considering it’s been in business since August 23, 1946.
Their website tells the story of Rodney and Helen Graves and their love for this part of Arizona. After running The Grand Canyon Tavern for seven years, Rod decided the town needed a good steakhouse, and the place was born. He raised his own Hereford cattle on a nearby ranch and organized the town’s first rodeo.
The current owner Lawrence Sachez worked at Rod’s as a dishwasher and busboy when he was a kid at Rod’s, and when he got a little older he worked as the manager and head chef for 13 years. In August 1985 he and his wife Stella bought the restaurant from Rodney and according to the site still operate it today.
It may have just been bad timing that we hit the place twice when it was closed, because we sure would have loved to eat one of their fine steaks!
Oil on canvas, 48×48″
Christina Messmer
Posted at 18:45h, 06 NovemberDoes anyone know what happened to the employees? The Manager ? They were all so kind. We truly miss this place. The pandemic stole so much from us all. This certainly was one of our favorite spots, while we were traveling through.
Mary Anne Erickson
Posted at 17:33h, 07 NovemberI wish I knew more. I’ve been through Williams twice and both times during the day, the place was closed. So I never had the joy of dining there. It really is such a special place and the signage alone is magnificent. Someone should take it on and reopen it. If I were younger I would do it!
Scott
Posted at 14:16h, 30 JanuarySadden to see it closed, my grandfather was best friends with Rod for many many many yrs. They would hunt and fish together. Rod helped my grandfather ( who was a Dr.) remodel a house in town to become the 1st ” hospital instead of just a Dr’s office. ( There is a plaque on the current hospital ( which also is on the same ground as the original.. commemorating Dr.Gordon Garnett) I was told ( by my grandfather) he kept Rod in plenty of fresh chicken as my grandfather would travel into the Grand Canyon to treat the local Native American and they would pay him with chickens 😂😂 back in the late 70s mom took granddad back to Williams to see Rod, it was great to listen to the 2 of them tell old stories like it was just yesterday 😊
Mary Anne Erickson
Posted at 15:12h, 30 JanuaryThat is the most heart-warming story. Thank you very much for sharing it.