The Famous Tee Pee

Monday, 08 February 2010 21:33

The Tee Pee Mexican Food restaurant, 4144 East Indian School Rd, was established in Phoenix in 1958 and has since been visited by such celebrities as Michelle Branch, former President George Bush and Charlie Sheen.

Originally built in the early 1900's, the building wasn't converted into "Tee Pee Mexican Food" until Tony Duran purchased the building and the connected house. A teepee-shaped roof connected the structures, hence the name.

 Today, the third generation of the family is training to own the business. Jefe Killeen, Duran's grandson, has been working and training at the Tee Pee for over 10 years while his sister, Julianna, manages administrative duties.

The Tee Pee fully embraces the definition of a "Ma and Pa" restaurant. The authentic Mexican recipes, along with the restaurant, have been passed down through the family. Bartender Ryan Shugrue is one of the Tee Pee's many employees related to the Durans. Shugrue has been working in the family business since he was 19 years old.

"I couldn't tell you how many customers we get a year," Killeen said, "It would be an enormous number."

This includes the dozens of celebrities who have visited the Tee Pee throughout the years; their pictures hang on the Wall of Fame in the restaurant's lobby.

The restaurant's décor still consists of the original stone walls, red vinyl booths and wood paneling. In the center of the restaurant is the Tee Pee Tap Room, a dimly lit bar area and about ten booths. Past the Tap Room is the main dining room, which contains about 25 more tables.

Killeen said his favorite thing about the restaurant is "the fact that we have fed generations of families through the years."

The customers of the Tee Pee have been dining at the hole-in-the-wall since it opened, and have taught their children to do the same.

Tony Duran, Killeen's grandfather, passed away about two years ago.

"If he was still alive he would be at the restaurant every morning," Killeen said. "The restaurant was his life."

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Written by Bridget Miller You are reading The Famous Tee Pee articles