EL PASO, Texas — Out in the west Texas town of El Paso you’ll find a car wash, doing it’s best to keep the dust of the desert at bay. Owner Maynard Haddad is a local legend. The H&H Car wash has a squeaky-clean reputation when it comes to washing cars, Maynard on the other hand is about is about as colorful as they come.
“I grew up on this block,” Maynard said. “I was born right over there. In those days they didn’t go to the hospital, they just dropped your ass and kept going.”
Since 1934, Maynard has been a part of the Sun City and he pretty much tells it like it is.
“It’s the only place in town where the customer is always wrong,” Meyer said.
The oldest of 6 children, Maynard’s Father came to the states from Syria and in October 1958, he opened the H&H. Maynard may not move as fast as he once did but he still runs the place and provides the entertainment by just being himself. But the food that you’ll find while waiting for your wheels is what’s really the main attraction. The huevos rancheros, chilli rellenos, and tacos are the talk of the town.
“If you ask me what my favorite place in the world is it’s H&H car wash,” Shelly said.
Since 77, Tonya (tone-ya) Carado has been in charge of the comida that brings in the crowds.
“Everybody stops by and gets there car washed and eats,” Hector said. “By 11 it’s standing room only.”
To say it’s old school at this classic car wash might not be an accurate enough description. In a world were political correctness reigns supreme, Maynard has no interest in sugar coating the way he feels or the way he does business.
Despite his demeanor, it’s Maynard’s passion that pulls through.
“I love working and I get to experience with people like y’all plus you met those folks in there,” Maynard said. “What in the hell do I wanna do.”
So Maynard sits sprouting off, endearing himself to some while others aren’t sure how to react to his random rants. In the end, if you can cut through to the core of this sometimes crotchety but cared for man you’ll find a very spirited Texan who simply takes life, one car at a time.
“It is part of the culture of El Paso,” Shelly said. “It makes me feel so warm and fuzzy inside. Just the whole El Paso experience when I get here.”