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La Cita

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La Cita is a Mexican and New Mexican restaurant in Tucumcari, NM, on the corner of 1st Street and Tucumcari Boulevard, the old Route 66. Its story goes back to 1940, and it has been in its present building since 1961. Travelers know it by the huge painted sombrero over the entrance and the revolving neon sombrero sign out by the street.

What is La Cita?

The present building dates from about 1960–61. A painted stucco sombrero, roughly 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide, sits over the front entrance, and its crown has been repainted in different colors over the years. By the road, a neon sign shaped like a sombrero turns and glows after dark.

History of La Cita

La Cita dates to 1940. It moved to the present site in 1961, and New Mexico's Route 66 neon sign program helped restore its sign in the early 2000s.

The restaurant closed in 2004, then reopened under new operators by about 2006. In 2024 it won a $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express for exterior repairs.

Visiting La Cita: tips

No detour is needed: La Cita stands right on Tucumcari Boulevard, the old Route 66. For photos, arrive around dusk, when the neon sombrero is lit and the big sombrero over the door is still easy to see.

Updated · Written by Route 66 Trip Guide

Practical info

Address
820 S 1st St, Tucumcari, NM 88401
Website
lacitanm.com
Hours
We have no opening hours for this stop yet — check the official site.
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

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La Cita with the 6 closest stops and another place to eat (fork and knife). Tap a marker for details.

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Stops near La Cita

All of New Mexico
Arch Hurley Conservancy District Office Building in Tucumcari, NM

Arch Hurley Conservancy District Office Building

Tucumcari, New Mexico · 0.3 mi from Route 66

A 1940 Pueblo Revival government office in Tucumcari, with peeled-log posts holding up its front porch.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

0.3 mi from La Cita

Baca-Goodman House in Tucumcari, NM

Baca-Goodman House

Tucumcari, New Mexico · 0.4 mi from Route 66

An early 1900s Tucumcari merchant's house that held a place on the National Register for just four years.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

0.4 mi from La Cita

Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, NM

Blue Swallow Motel

Tucumcari, New Mexico · on Route 66

A 1940s Tucumcari motor court with a glowing neon swallow and garages tucked between its rooms.

Retro roadsidePhoto credit

0.5 mi from La Cita

Odeon Theatre in Tucumcari, NM

Odeon Theatre

Tucumcari, New Mexico · 0.6 mi from Route 66

An Art Deco movie house in Tucumcari, just off the old road and listed on the National Register.

Historic theaterPhoto credit

0.6 mi from La Cita

Tucumcari station, New Mexico

Tucumcari station

Tucumcari, New Mexico · 0.6 mi from Route 66

Tucumcari's 1926 railroad depot, now home to the Tucumcari Railroad Museum, close to the old Route 66 road.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

0.6 mi from La Cita

Roadrunner Lodge in Tucumcari, NM

Roadrunner Lodge

Tucumcari, New Mexico · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A 1940s motor court and a 1960s motel joined into one restored Route 66 stay on Tucumcari's main drag.

Retro roadsidePhoto credit

0.6 mi from La Cita

More places to eat nearby

All diners on Route 66 →
  • Del's Restaurant in Tucumcari, NM
    Restaurant

    Del's Restaurant

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    A Tucumcari restaurant since 1956, known for the Hereford bull standing on top of its neon sign.

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