New Chu Chu's opens in Zuni

Anders "Chu Chu" Quam, in chef's hat, prepares food for the grand opening of the new Chu Chu Pizza in Zuni on Friday. Good food and good times were had by all who attended. [Courtesy Photo]

By Ernie Bulow
For the Independent

ZUNI — Friday was Anders Quam Day at Zuni Pueblo. Quam, better known by his childhood nickname Chu Chu, finally unveiled his new restaurant, first of its kind for the village south of Gallup. For more than two years an impressive U-shaped building has been growing and changing, slowly taking final shape on the eastern edge of Zuni.

Well before the eleven o'clock start of festivities, people started gathering at the big white tent erected in the parking lot. Quam, dressed all in white with a huge soft chef's hat on his head, was everywhere, supervising last-minute details, especially the barbecue grills ready to sear hundreds of hot dogs and hamburger patties. Dozens of senior citizens from the nearby center were already seated in the main dining room, waiting to be served.

Inside and out, the business of the day was obviously food, seasoned with good cheer and the atmosphere of a tribal fair. Helpers passed out helium balloons to the kids, and the balls of color rose into the air in all directions as they lost grip on the strings. A whole row of cooks kept the hot dogs and hamburgers coming off the hot coals. At 2 p.m. the new restaurant had served 400 of each along with free pop and all the fixings. There was still a line waiting for the grill, so the cooks brought out another box of meat.

After three hours of entertainment by a disc jockey, the Zuni Tribal Band, and various dignitaries, the party was still going strong. It seemed like half the village had shown up.

"They stole the architecture from us originally, I'm just taking it back," Quam said of the Santa Fe styling of his new place Chu Chu's.

Chu Chu has been a presence in the village since he opened his first pizza parlor in the early 1980s. But the new restaurant, the first of its kind in Zuni, was accomplished without outside financing. The crew worked as material and money were available, teasing passers-by with the size and construction of the new building. Constructed completely of adobe, stone and pine logs, the restaurant was a labor of love for all concerned.