Grand Opening

Red Feather Off-Road Market & Café

Story by Steve Caro

Photos by Kathryn Caro

OCOTILLO, CA, NOV. 16, 2013

London, England, has its historic Ace Café. Mulholland Drive in Santa Monica, California, has its Rock House Store. Both cater to the asphalt motorcyclists. Now, the tiny hamlet of Ocotillo, California, located roughly 80 miles east of San Diego, can lay claim to having the only local eatery catering to the off-road-vehicle community.

The Red Feather Café, owned and operated by the husband-and-wife team of Frank and Debbi Vrettas, staged its grand opening on a windy Saturday. In keeping with the theme of the business, Frank and Debbie invited racing legends and off-roaders alike to join in the grand opening. Past masters Marty Smith, Scott Burnworth and Tommy Croft, along with a host of others, joined in the celebration.

A large variety of vintage racing machines were on display throughout the day. A large crowd quickly gathered outside the building as visitors lined up to place their meal orders and to mingle with their fellow enthusiasts. In fact, several riders who had been riding in the surrounding areas around the town stopped by for a meal and supplies during the opening.

Inside the café, a visitor is greeted by a display of restored racing bikes and walls filled with autographed posters, vintage photographs, and other memorabilia.

The business serves two purposes, the first being a place where an off-roader can park and have a sit-down meal in a comfortable area. The second purpose is to be a venue where essential supplies such as oil, goggles, tubes, etc., can be accessed.

The Red Feather offers an excellent menu selection, with no item priced above $8. Patrons can choose between breakfast staples such as French toast, omelets and pancakes, as well as various burritos and burgers, just to cite a few examples. Many items sport OHV-themed names such as “3-Wheeler Pancakes” and “Desert Starter,” while other items are named for famous racers, such as the “Smitty Tri-Tip Deluxe Cheeseburger,” named for Marty Smith; the “Silverthorn Veggie Burger,” for early MX pioneer Bill Silverthorn; the “Broc-a-Saurus Burger,” for multitime champion Broc Glover; and the “Burner Burger,” for former Rookie of the Year and Vintage Racing king Scott Burnworth. All items are cooked to order using fresh ingredients (nothing is premade), and the portions are more than enough to fill a hungry off-roader.

The Red Feather Café is located at 1182 North Imperial Highway in the town of Ocotillo, directly off Interstate 8, in a hotbed of off-road vehicle activity. Numerous BLM and off-highway-vehicle designated areas are located near the café, along with the newly opened Imperial Valley Desert Museum, which is situated less than a mile away on the eastbound side of Interstate 8.

Based on the grand opening, the Red Feather appears poised to be the spot for off-roaders in need of food and supplies.

For further information on vintage motocross racing, see calvmx.net and ahrma.org.