| (Aug. 19, 1955–Present) BACKSTORY: Guests loved this “Mexican” restaurant that served favorites such as the Frito Chile Pie: a bag of corn chips sliced open and topped with chile and melted cheese. The “Ta-cup” mentioned on the poster below was ground beef, cheese, lettuce, and sauce in a fried corn dough cup. While there, you could also visit the Frito Kid, a large vending machine that gave you a bag of Fritos Corn Chips for only a nickel. The Frito Kid stood just inside the door as you walked to the counter. Guest would put a nickel in the cash box on the fence and the Frito Kid came to life. While rolling his eyes, licking his lips, and turning his head, his recorded voice would holler back to his unseen partner Klondike inside the mountain to send down some more of those “golden chips of corn,” and then a wax-paper bag of Fritos Corn Chips would slide down the chute.
Originally located in the corridor known as “New Orleans Street,” this restaurant favorite soon outgrew its space, was replaced by Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo BBQ, and moved next to the Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland attraction on July 1, 1957. The Frito Kid also went to the new location, but was moved from the right to the left of the chute, minus the booth with the racks of potato chips, etc. The mountain mine set was also redesigned to accommodate the different angle of the chute.
The next incarnation of this location was Casa Mexicana, hosted by Lawry’s Foods, which lasted from 1982 until 2000. Today, this restaurant is known as Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante.
Original Attraction Poster
Most photos available for purchase as enlargements; email your request. To view photos, allow popups in your web browser & click thumbnails below. |
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