How do you remember Phoenix? Stories from long time residents... (Mesa: sales tax, listings)

[Dave Bob]

I wonder if anyone knows something about Ed Tovrea, of the Tovrea meat packing family. He was shot down in WWII and sent to the German POW camp that was the basis for the "Great Escape" movie.

He didn't take part in the actual escape (luckily, since most of the escapees were shot).

In the 60's when the movie came out, I think there was a Phoenix newspaper article about him, but I can't recall any details.

I'm curious what became of him after the war. Did he come back to Arizona and work for the family business?

[dgsaz1950]

Originally Posted by Dave Bob

I wonder if anyone knows something about Ed Tovrea, of the Tovrea meat packing family. He was shot down in WWII and sent to the German POW camp that was the basis for the "Great Escape" movie.

He didn't take part in the actual escape (luckily, since most of the escapees were shot).

In the 60's when the movie came out, I think there was a Phoenix newspaper article about him, but I can't recall any details.

I'm curious what became of him after the war. Did he come back to Arizona and work for the family business?

Lots of Tovrea information can be found here: TOVREA HOME PAGE

dgsaz1950

[roosevelt]

Something to comment on.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Dave Bob

I wonder if anyone knows something about Ed Tovrea, of the Tovrea meat packing family. He was shot down in WWII and sent to the German POW camp that was the basis for the "Great Escape" movie.

He didn't take part in the actual escape (luckily, since most of the escapees were shot).

In the 60's when the movie came out, I think there was a Phoenix newspaper article about him, but I can't recall any details.

I'm curious what became of him after the war. Did he come back to Arizona and work for the family business?

Yes, he did. His family lived in the Arcadia section of Phoenix. One of his sons was a friend/classmate of my brother's in elementary and high school (the same son that was/is suspected in the unsolved murder of his stepmother Blood and Money - Page 1 - News - Phoenix - Phoenix New Times ).

[jukebox47]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

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Something to comment on.

I remember the names. Today some of the old locks I need keys made for are difficult to find a company to make them.

Day's Key Shop might have had another location or moved because it seems like I had keys made there but the location seemed different.

I sure remember Macayo's. We used to go to one or the other all the time. I don't know how many locations they have including several in Las Vegas. I have never seen a Maycayo's box of matches before (neat) but for sure later the book matches I remember.

[azdr0710]

please tell me if I'm wrong about this....

Macayo's always seemed very gringo to me...before Garcia's (as a chain) and Chi Chi's existed, it seems like it was the very first nicer "Mexican" restaurant chain that was OK/"safe" for non-adventurous gringos to go to and feel like they were dining in Mexico....if nobody wanted to venture down to the authentic dive somewhere south of downtown, Macayo's was where you could take your relatives visiting from Peoria so they could claim they had Mexican food in Arizona...it wasn't even owned by Hispanics, was it?...so was Macayo's really the first "gringo" Mexican chain that was a step above Taco Bell, etc.?....thanks for any history on the subject

EDIT: found some history at the website, but still wondering about the above...

Tradition has it...

Woody and Victoria Johnson began Macayo's in 1946 when they opened their first restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona. That day, they established the commitment to quality ingredients served with a warm and friendly touch that continues today as Macayo's celebrates its 65th anniversary!

The Johnson family has 14 Arizona locations and four in Las Vegas. Still family-owned and locally-operated, the company is now run by the Johnson's daughter, Sharisse, and two sons, Gary and Stephen.

[FLIP66]

Question about Mesa if any of you out there might remember..on West Main st was Sun Pontiac..I remember it going back as far as early 60's but I was told prioe to it being called Sun Pontiac the dealership was Wootenburg..or wardenberg or something along those lines..can anyone comment on this if it is true or not and give some dates if true
Also looking for any pictures of Mesa any years would be great..Thank You

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

please tell me if I'm wrong about this....

Macayo's always seemed very gringo to me...before Garcia's (as a chain) and Chi Chi's existed, it seems like it was the very first nicer "Mexican" restaurant chain that was OK/"safe" for non-adventurous gringos to go to and feel like they were dining in Mexico....if nobody wanted to venture down to the authentic dive somewhere south of downtown, Macayo's was where you could take your relatives visiting from Peoria so they could claim they had Mexican food in Arizona...it wasn't even owned by Hispanics, was it?...so was Macayo's really the first "gringo" Mexican chain that was a step above Taco Bell, etc.?....thanks for any history on the subject

EDIT: found some history at the website, but still wondering about the above...

Tradition has it...

Woody and Victoria Johnson began Macayo's in 1946 when they opened their first restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona. That day, they established the commitment to quality ingredients served with a warm and friendly touch that continues today as Macayo's celebrates its 65th anniversary!

The Johnson family has 14 Arizona locations and four in Las Vegas. Still family-owned and locally-operated, the company is now run by the Johnson's daughter, Sharisse, and two sons, Gary and Stephen.

Woody's El Nido was a small place on McDowell, attached to the restaurant was the New Yorker bar. This is probably the first location in 1946. The best Mexican food in the 40's was the Mexico Cafe on Van Buren about 17th Street.

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by FLIP66

Question about Mesa if any of you out there might remember..on West Main st was Sun Pontiac..I remember it going back as far as early 60's but I was told prioe to it being called Sun Pontiac the dealership was Wootenburg..or wardenberg or something along those lines..can anyone comment on this if it is true or not and give some dates if true
Also looking for any pictures of Mesa any years would be great..Thank You

Sun Pontiac was at 1600 West Main in 1969, that's all I have on it.

Here is 1958

[FLIP66]

Thanks Roosevelt..exactly what I was looking for