Kelly's

One more story about Kelly's Cafe and Vera. Back in the 1950's I was out chasing trains with Bob Richardson. Bob, who really loved Mexican food, took me to Kelly's and introduced me to Vera. I was still a college student from "Back East" and really knew nothing about Mexican cusine. So Bob ordered for me. Vera asked if I wanted RED or GREEN Chili. Hell, I knew that Red Chili was hot, so I asked for green. Bob just sat there with a strange smile on his face. It took a couple of Coor's and two glases of water (mine and Bob's) before I stopped crying. Bob, who always had a wonderful sense of humor, broke-out in laughter. He had taught the "Kid from Virginia" a good lesson, one he has never forgotten. Many years later, I pulled the same trick on photographer Tal Carey, from Virginia, at Viva Vera's Restaurant with similar results. Tal was not a drinker, but he drank his water and my beer in an attempt to put-out the fire. That time I got the last laugh.