A Homecoming for Pappy + Harriet’s Harriet Allen and Family
By Lisa Lynn Morgan
Cover photo by Errol Colandro for Pappy + Harriet’s
Cover photo by Errol Colandro for Pappy + Harriet’s
“Walking through the past, the things that didn’t last, they don’t matter anymore. It’s the things you cannot see that are the parts of me, that bring me through the door” Harriet Allen
For the first time in years, Harriet Allen, Co-Founder of the legendary Pappy +Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, walked through the doors that had long ago been a second home to her, her family, and thousands of others who would come to enjoy her and Pappy’s hospitality. As she and her family members entered, you could practically feel the old adobe walls embracing them.
There in the foyer, Harriet was greeted by her own image – a bust that had been commissioned by the new proprietors, Lisa Elin and JB Moresco, two years prior. The beautiful basswood sculpture, fashioned by local artist, Cory Hamilton, bore braids and the same warm, steely eyed sparkle that is Harriet’s trademark to this day. Whether you’re looking at the carved image, or the living legend herself, you can feel the strength and integrity of the woman who at one time managed pretty much everything in that place, including her beloved Pappy.
Photo by: Errol Colandro for Pappy + Harriet’s
“Pappy tends to get the lion’s share of attention.” expressed Lisa. “With his larger-than-life personality and mystique, it felt like Harriet wasn’t getting her due as a woman, a business owner/operator, and musician. I’m quoting many locals and old timers that staunchly maintain, ‘Harriet is the one that did most of the work. She cooked, she sang, ran the place, and held it all together.’ I felt strongly, and JB agreed, that Harriet’s legacy needed to be honored in a solid and formidable fashion that would resonate for future generations.”
The gratitude for the heartfelt honor was evident, as was the tsunami of memories that washed over her. Stepping into the foyer, she pointed out her and Pappy’s initials still etched into the cement floor. Above the doorway, she drew everyone’s attention to a red heart shaped bottle nestled between the adobe bricks, a gift to her from Pappy.
Joining Harriet were her daughters, Cheryl Allen and Michelle Sanders, her grandkids Dustin Kronemeyer and Kristina Quigley, and her great granddaughter, Maddie Ban. One had to wonder what the experience was for Maddie, standing in the place where so many family stories were born and then carved into folklore.
Photo by: Errol Colandro for Pappy + Harriet’s
Photo by: Errol Colandro for Pappy + Harriet’s
Photo by: LLM
Lisa and JB gave her the warmth, time, attention, and excitement a rock star might hope for. JB took her by the arm and led her through the venue, pointing out the enhancements and repairs they made. Much time was spent, the two entrepreneurs, arm in arm, discussing code, safety, service, and construction. “Don’t get jealous now,” Harriet chirped to Lisa with a devilish yet classy grin. Stories behind the stories were shared. The history that was literally built into the walls was taught. Everyone present leaned in to hear every word.
Harriet looked at home behind the bar, especially when long-time bartender and friend, Stacy, greeted her. Pappy and Harriet hired her when they still owned the place, and Stacy still works there today. As Lisa puts it, “Stacy is truly our touchstone… our living history book.”
Harriet reminisced out loud, “I remember back in the day, saying, ‘I am so proud of Pappy. He hasn’t had a drink in days!’ and Stacy said to me, ‘You might want to check what’s in that coffee cup.’” The number of quality memories these two women shared all came to the surface amidst the laughter and a long, tearful embrace.
It was in the kitchen, however, where Harriet’s eyes and spirit notably lit up. She walked through the kitchen and out to the old fire pit, graciously acknowledging the staff and sharing stories like a veteran shares war stories. She held the staff in the palm of her hand. It was a Monday, mid-day. The venue wouldn’t be open until 4 pm. They had all come in early, just to meet her.
“Meeting Harriet felt as low key and familial as we always imagined and hoped it would be,” shared JB. “When ranking the anticipated milestones when Lisa and I took the reins as stewards, having Harriet and her family return was at the top. Her giving us history we had never heard before, her stories, and her perspective of what Pappy + Harriet’s was truly intended to be – ‘a place where the real stars are in the kitchen’, and ‘food was ALWAYS first’ – was everything we could hope for.
“Her warmth and humor infused everything,” added Lisa. “Harriet and her family coming back is bigger to us than any musical artist by a landslide. We’ve wanted to meet her and thank her for all she’s created for so long. We let her and the family know the door was open, that we’d roll our red carpet, anything she needed, we’d do it to ensure she felt comfortable. Her laughter and hugs from the start … the Palace finally felt like home.”
Photo by: Errol Colandro for Pappy + Harriet’s
When asked what their favorite part of Harriet’s visit was, JB shared, “You know a true restaurant person by seeing the ease with which they move through the back of house. Harriet said, ‘There are so many guys back here! I only had three!’ And ‘The food was always first.’ That is the ethos we strive to continue.”
“I loved watching her as she held JB’s arm as he tenderly escorted her around the property to show her the improvements and additions. But I loved the way she lit up in the kitchen more than anything. All of the kitchen was glowing getting to meet THE Harriet. She regaled them with how she used to run the kitchen, so clearly in her element. Breaking bread with her, and her joy at eating the food, especially the cheese fries she created was right up there. She was very pleased we still use ranch, not sour cream.”
“But my biggest, personal thrill,” Lisa added, “was when she sat under the picture of her and Pappy singing. She began to sing directly to me everything finally coalesced. I got it, completely. Why she was and is, such a beloved force. It felt as if the building was going up around me as she sang, a million ghosts swirling around us: her parents, John and Francis Aleba, Pappy, patrons, Hells Angels, Gene Autry, and all the good people that built Pioneertown…her voice made the dream real.”
“We just hope she knows that the door is open,” JB expressed. “Her money is no good, and she can pop in announced or unannounced and enjoy the fruits of her legacy.”
“We certainly want her to come in more, eat, drink, dance… and of course, SING,” added Lisa in full agreement. “All we’ve ever wanted was Harriet and her family to enjoy the institution they created… to feel welcome and cared for. We have massive respect for what she and Pappy forged together, and we want her to know that Harriet’s legacy will be honored equally alongside Pappy’s.”
“Walking back inside Pappy and Harriet’s, alongside my Gramma, aunts, daughter, and cousin, was the most beautiful experience for me,” shared granddaughter, Kristina Quigley. Seeing my Gramma honored by JB and Lisa so lovingly was very emotional for me. It was simply amazing! We felt so much love from everyone, and it felt so incredibly good to come back home with open loving arms. I can’t wait to perform there again on the stage I was raised on.”
The forever, reigning Queen of the Pioneertown Palace had much to say about the day:
Photo by: LLM
“I am deeply thankful to JB and Lisa for the loving and respectful way my family and I were welcomed to meet them and their staff. Honoring me with the beautiful sculpture that Cory Hamilton so loving made of me means so much to me. It stands in the bottled wall Pappy made for me for Valentines Day… where Jann Browne made her Mexican Wind music video…the patio where Rolling Stones honored Cracker for their Desert Life music and video… where friends like Jim Lauderdale showed so much love and support.”
“Pappy and Harriet’s stood for heart, music, food, family, and togetherness from all walks of life. There are so many wonderful memories of our lives, I had to write it into a song:
“Walking through the past, the things that didn’t last, they don’t matter anymore. It’s the things you cannot see that are the parts of me, that bring me through the door.”
“The swinging Chandeliers, the wine barrels Pappy got me from Brookside Winery… we are so proud to see them still standing. Pappy’s sculpture sitting right there in the middle says it all.”
“It meant a lot to me that they asked me so many questions related to our history here at Pappy and Harriet’s, and it felt so good to reminisce and relive some of our past.”
Photo by: Errol Colandro for Pappy + Harriet’s
“To meet their hardworking kitchen crew, the heart of their hard work, was so much more than I could have ever imagined.”
“Pappy and Harriet’s has and will always evolve, as all things old and new are destined to have a life of their own. From the bottom of my and my family’s hearts, we are so touched, so honored, and very thankful for the love and respect JB and Lisa show for the past, present, and future of Pappy and Harriet’s.”
