I got an email this week from a person with the unlikely name of Ruchelle. First of all, what's that about? But more on point she was writing because she had overheard me saying in conversation that one of my favorite things about the four hour road trip from the Bad Place to Las Vegas, Nevada is the opportunity to stop at the Dairy Queen in Barstow for a Blizzard. 
I've made that drive dozens of times over the years and it's just the perfect halfway stop to get out, stretch your legs, buy gas, get your delicious ice cream treat on, and shop for deals at the attached Pilot truck stop. You can buy everything from CB radios, to country music cassettes, to "Trucker By Choice, American By Birth" T-shirts there. Plus they have bathrooms (and showers!), a Western Union office, and plenty of parking with easy on and off access from Interstate 10.
Or do they? Ruchelle writes, "We came back from Vegas and we were going to stop there like we always do and we saw that it was gone!!!!! We are outraged! We loved stopping by that Dairy Queen."
I replied, "What?? Are you sure? In Barstow attached to the Pilot station?"
Ruchelle (if that even is her name), "Yes!! Now it is just an empty lot. I am hoping they will bring it back. Here is the address. I tried to Google it but they have a old picture still on there.
DAIRY QUEEN BRAZIER / FUEL CENTER
2591 Commerce Pkwy
Barstow, CA 92311-9568"
Look, I know I could look up the number and just call the truck stop to confirm this awful news but it's too painful a thing to learn over the phone. I still haven't fully stopped mourning the loss of the famous Bun Boy restaurant down the Interstate in Baker, California.
So I am throwing it open to you readers who have passed through Barstow more recently than I have. Is Ruchelle on the dope? Does she sit on a Throne of Lies? Or is it all true? Dairy Queen R.I.P.?
WAHT?????? The Bun
Boy is gone?? oh maaaaaaan....
Posted by: cathy | March 02, 2008 at 07:14 AM
What's next? Taking down the World's Tallest Thermometer?
Posted by: Diane | March 02, 2008 at 07:22 AM
OK, so if it is really gone. Go to the Mad Greek in Baker. They have the best shakes I have ever had and I have a lot.
Baker is the halfway mark for me because I am in the 951 area.
-Dave
Posted by: Dave | March 02, 2008 at 08:20 AM
There was a fire and it burned down. Here's an article: http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/fire_742___article.html/barstow_corrao.html
I do agree with the poster about the shakes at the Mad Greek. They are phenomenal! And it was newly remodeled when I went thru six months ago.
Posted by: Nicole | March 02, 2008 at 08:57 AM
The Bun Boy name is gone, it's now turned into a Bob's Big Boy, but the World's Tallest Thermometer is still there! I just went to Vegas a couple of weekends ago and saw it - my companions were not as impressed.
If I stop in Barstow, I always go to the McDonald's there - it's shaped like a train station!
Posted by: Susan | March 03, 2008 at 09:10 AM
It is gone, just came from Vegas this weekend.
Posted by: Dave | March 04, 2008 at 02:22 PM
We Always stop at the Del Taco in Lenwood, just before barstow. They still serve thier food exactly the same as the original Del Taco used too. You can actually make a meal out of just 2 regular tacos! Remember the slice of tomato on top? excellent!
Posted by: Don | March 04, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Umm.... when has Barstow been just off the 10? Never took the 10 to Vegas. Is there some sort of mysterious road that I am not privy to?
Posted by: RaySan | March 06, 2008 at 02:15 PM
Concur with the Del Taco comment - order two tostadas for a dee-licious meal. Word is the founder still owns the three Del Taco's in Barstow/Lenwood and cooks using the original recipes.
Posted by: Blkjkrabbit66 | March 10, 2008 at 01:16 AM