Charlie’s Spic & Span – Las Vegas, New Mexico
Time–and the woke movement–haven’t left Las Vegas, New Mexico behind. It may seem that way when you hear locals–even Highlands University students–frequent usage of the term “the spic.” They’re not using the term in a derogatory manner to refer to someone of Hispanic descent. They’re using it as a term of endearment for Charlie’s Spic & Span, probably the most popular restaurant in Las Vegas. Everywhere else “the spic” may be a derogatory term, but not in Las Vegas–at least when talking about Charlie’s Spic & Span, one of New Mexico’s most beloved and venerable restaurants. If you’ve never visited Charlie’s Spic & Span, you’re undoubtedly curious as to why it acquired its unusual name. The “Charlie’s” name on the marquee is for owner Charlie Sandoval while “Spic & Span” refers to the fact that this building once housed a Laundromat. Though Charlie is peripatetic presence at his eponymous restaurant, should he be away during your visit you could once see a chalk drawing of his countenance behind the counter (our server told us Charlie had it taken down because “he’s vain.”) It’s just one of many intriguing points of interest in a restaurant frequented by every governor and…
