By Natalia Lopera
Tara Walden makes a point of having lunch with her daughters at their school once a week.
"They love it. They're still into holding my hand and hugging me," she says of 8-year-old Caylee, and 11-year-old Ciara. "(But) in a year or a couple of years they're going to be like 'Mom.'"
Walden, 38, tends bar at the Red Garter Bar and Grill at night.
Family is also pretty important at the Garter, where Walden has worked for 19 years.
She was in college when she met her husband, Matt, and then started working there.
His dad, Eugene -known by everyone as Bud- has owned the bar since 1969 when it used to be at East Speedway and North Alvernon Way and called Gordo's. In 1980 the bar was renamed, and in 1993 it moved to its current location.
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Tara Walden and her husband pretty much run the place. But it's still Bud who calls all the shots.
Tara says the Red Garter is one of the oldest establishments on Speedway, and they may celebrate the 40th anniversary in the beginning of next year. Watch the Web site for updates.
Tara has always been into camping, fishing and hunting. And she's developed a taste for motorcycles and off-roading on quads, dirt bikes and sand rails since she and her husband married 15 years ago.
Where do you and your husband ride your motorcycles?
"We go out 83, Old Sonoita Highway. We've (also) ridden out to Tombstone or Bisbee and stayed the night and then come back the next day.
"My husband just actually got me a Softail. He has a Road King, and I would always ride with him on the back. And it's something I've always wanted to do - ride next to him."
Have you invented any drinks?
"I guess the Hawaiian Punch is probably the one that I've kinda invented. It is vodka, Amaretto, Southern Comfort, peach schnapps with orange juice, cranberry and grenadine.
What's your favorite dish here?
"I would say our burgers. We actually got voted the best burgers a couple of years ago by Caliente."
