Big Chicks Stand Guard at Arizona Restaurants
Big chicken outside Hitching Post Pizza and Pub in Apache Junction. Photo Credit: Sam Lowe
Arizona seems to attract giant roosters the way Hollywood attracts killer frogs and giant spiders. Nobody’s sure why they flock here, but the big bad-boy chickens have clucked their way into such high profile positions as signage for restaurants, roadside attractions and front yard decor.
Among the more notorious is the one that stands in front of the Wisdom Cafe, a longtime Santa Cruz County dining establishment located two miles south of Tubac. It has antlers sticking from its head. Another is the one that caused Apache Junction officials to cry “Fowl” because it was perched on the roof of the Hitching Post Pizza and Pub. The city fathers ordered it to fly the coop, so the owners grounded it and the monster bird now sits in front of the building.
There are also mega-roosters standing guard at Son Silver West Gallery in Sedona, Route 66 Visitor Center in Seligman, River Island Market in Parker, and Hickman’s Family Farms in Buckeye.
********* Update, June 15, 2012***********
Photo Credit: Linda Schallan
Thank you to Arizona Oddities reader Joe Schallan for sharing this photo his wife Linda captured of the big chick outside of Wisdom Cafe in Santa Cruz County.
Your photo is of the one in front of the Hitching Post Pizza Pub (note sign, not “Pizza and Pub”). No antlers. The one in front of Wisdom’s does indeed have antlers, making it a chickalope. I have a photo of it if you need it.
Just a mistake on the caption Joe. Thanks for checking. We’ll fix it. If you have another chicken picture, please email to info@arizonaoddities.com. I’d love to include it!
Will do!
Arizona does seem to have more than its share of giant chickens.
Maybe it is all the sun that makes them grow so large lol