Pappy & Harriet's

Pappy & Harriet's looks like it should be in a Western movie, and in a sense it was: the building stands in Pioneertown, a 1940s town built as a movie set where many Westerns were filmed in the 1950s. Today it is a roadhouse at 53688 Pioneertown Road, a short drive from Joshua Tree, and it is as well known for its stage as for its barbecue.

How it started

The structure began as a gas station and became a bar called The Cantina in 1972. Harriet Allen and her husband Claude, known as Pappy, took it over, expanded it, added a kitchen and began booking live music, opening under their own names in 1982. Pappy, Harriet and their granddaughter played on the stage in the early days, and the place quickly became a local favorite.

Food over mesquite

The kitchen cooks Santa Maria-style over mesquite wood and serves BBQ, burgers and Tex-Mex dishes. The tri-tip sandwich is the one people talk about, served with BBQ sauce for dipping and onions on top. It is simple desert roadhouse food, generous and made for sharing before a show.

The stage

Live music is the other main attraction, and the list of performers who have played here is long, from Robert Plant to Paul McCartney, Patti Smith and indie bands such as Vampire Weekend. The room is rustic, with Western decor.

Common Questions

What are the hours?
Hours vary by season. Typical hours have been 11 AM to 2 AM Thursday to Sunday and 5 PM to 2 AM Monday, with Tuesday and Wednesday closed. Call (760) 365-5956 before you make the drive.

What is the food like?
BBQ, burgers and Tex-Mex, with mesquite-grilled meats and a popular tri-tip sandwich.

When did it open?
1982, in a building that was once a gas station and then a bar.

Where is it?
In Pioneertown, a short drive from Joshua Tree, California.

Is there live music?
Yes. Live music is a major reason people come.