Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café

The Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café in Shamrock, Texas, was built in 1936 at the intersection of U.S. Route 66 and Highway 83. Often called the “Taj Mahal of Texas,” the art deco building is constructed from concrete, stucco, glazed brick, and green and gold terra-cotta tiles. Despite being built during the Great Depression, it was designed with striking architectural flair, including a 100-foot obelisk topped with a metal tulip and large “CONOCO” letters on the tower. The concept came from landowner John Nunn, who reportedly sketched the layout by sticking a nail in the dirt. Architect Joseph Berry developed the final plans, and builders J.M. Tindall and R.C. Lewis brought it to life.

Originally, the building housed a Conoco gas station and a café named the “U-Drop Inn,” a name submitted by an 8-year-old boy who won a local contest. A third space, intended as a retail store, was eventually absorbed into the restaurant. Over the decades, ownership and use changed hands multiple times. By 1997, the building had fallen into disrepair but was added to the National Register of Historic Places that same year. The First National Bank of Shamrock purchased the property and donated it to the city. Restoration began soon after, and by 2003, the building had been returned to its original appearance.

The site became widely recognized again after it inspired “Ramone’s Body Shop” in the 2006 Pixar film Cars. After being closed for more than 25 years, the U-Drop Inn Café reopened in 2021, and in February 2025, it relaunched under new owners Lianne and Aldo Halpern, who signed a multiyear lease with the Shamrock Economic Development Corporation. Today, the U-Drop Inn Café is open Monday through Saturday from March through October, serving scratch-made Americana classics like smoked brisket, pulled pork, meatloaf, salads, yogurt parfaits, baked goods, and ice cream sundaes. Inside, the original booths and counter stools remain—Elvis Presley is rumored to have sat there during a stop between Memphis and Hollywood.

While the vintage gas pumps are still out front, the building no longer functions as a service station. Instead, it now operates as a visitor center, museum, restaurant, and the office of the Shamrock Chamber of Commerce. A Tesla supercharger was added in 2014, bringing a modern touch to this historic Route 66 stop.