Mike & Annie's McKittrick Hotel, Penny Bar & Cafe

The Penny Bar is a class all its own. It's one of a kind, and you'll never find another place like it. If you're in the area, you must stop in and at least check out the Penny Bar.

McKittrick is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it town. It's an oil community, and comes to life during weekday work hours. Weekends and evenings can be ghostly. The only life in the town comes from this Bar & Cafe.

The Penny Bar is known for their Rib-Eye steaks. And while they aren't the best in the world, they are something special when you get to eat them in a place like this. The Chile size is also pretty tasty. It's diner style food, so nothing fancy. If you come between 11 and 12 during the week, you may find yourself waiting for a sit. It's usually packed with local oil-field workers. And if those burly men enjoy this place, I'm sure you will too.

Service is super. It's down-home, country friendly. If you didn't know the server before, you'll be best friends by the time you're done with lunch. It's like Cheers, everyone knows your name! And while the food isn't extraordinary, the service is. Sometimes you just can't put a price on great service.

Check out their Facebook page for weekly specials. They update almost every Sunday. Here's a sampling of one of their past weeks menu specials:

MONDAY: CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN STEAK
TUESDAY: MEATLOAF
WEDNESDAY: JAMBALAYA
THURSDAY: SMALL RIBEYE STEAK
FRIDAY: FISH DAY
SATURDAY: COOK'S CHOICE
SUNDAY: OPEN 10 - 3 PRINTED MENU ITEMS

You have to love a place that is a hotel-slash-dive bar-slash-diner.

Though I can't (& hopefully won't ever be able to) attest for the quality of the hotel, the bar & cafe were great.

Food was hot & fast & tasty. They have sack lunches to go. Watched a waitress fight a fly. Had a drink at the penny-coated bar with a couple guys taking a break from the oil fields. Got back on the road.

Perfect side trip if you're tired of barreling up the 5.

Nice little place in the middle of no where. Everyone there is so nice and friendly and the food is good.