Friday, February 22, 2019

Exploring the Local in Denver-The Buckhorn Exchange

Yesterday my sister-in-law (John's brother's wife) flew into town for a few days. Her nephew is applying for one of those newfangled "Master's into Doctorate" all in one type programs that they have for much of the medical and psych field and he was interviewing today at the University of Denver. Since the family has mainly broken down into smaller individual groups for Christmas, the last time I had seen them was at the April (which dress shall I choose?) wedding.

They are great skiers, and had flown into the airport more than once, but always driven straight to the mountains-never into or around the city or suburbs. Add to that the fact that said nephew is vegan and has been taking her to vegan restaurants and I decided that I would give her the complete opposite of vegan-while taking her to an historical landmark in Denver. One, I might add, that I had only seen from the outside up to now. 




The Buckhorn Exchange opened in 1893 and is Colorado's most historic restaurant-and bar. In fact, it holds liquor license "No 1" for the state. Founded by "Shorty Scout" Zietz, a younger and very colorful member of the Buffalo Bill Cody gang, the restaurant catered to all kinds: gamblers, miners, cattle folks, and even Indian chiefs. The Chief Sitting bull gave Shorty sword taken from General Custer, and story has it that Teddy Roosevelt came and ate and then with hunting with Shorty.  A host of Presidents have visited, as well as tons of actors and stars including Bob Hope and Charlton Heston. More than one astronaut has visited, including Jack Swigert of Apollo 13 fame. 

Guns on the doors, photos of celebreties and animal heads-lots of animal heads! The place is purposefully (I'm sure) not well lit!


So cute!
My ever so poor attempt to photograph the eagle flying overhead!

The view from my seat!


The walls are the best reason to checkout the Buckhorn. There are buffalo and sheep, all kinds of birds including a golden eagle, deer, moose, and more-as well as pistols, rifles, repeating rifles and other weapons. The building is a designated historical landmark, there is a Victorian lounge upstairs with a white oak bar (which I unfortunately could not climb to see) and there is a roof garden as well.

Yes, they are what you think they are!


My Buffalo burger, part of which came home with me

Lavender seared duck breast with rasperry sauce


History and decor are the primary reason to see the Buckhorn, but the food isn't bad at all. And varied.  Since we were there at lunch we had buffalo burgers, steak, and a green chile buffalo burger respectively-with lavender grilled duck breast for an appetizer. And we left the beer options alone. 






The dinner offerings, however, include Rocky Mountain Oyster appetizers and fried alligator tail. They offer giant steaks to share (up to three and a half pounds), as well as Quail, Elk, Buffalo, and of course Colorado Lamb. Needless to say at some point I'll be heading back for dinner.

Post lunch, we gave Sharon a quick driving tour of Denver (a small town compared to her home of Houston) and made plans to get together tomorrow at some point. I don't know what she and her nephew are doing this evening, but at least she's had her share of meat-for a day or so anyway!

4 comments:

  1. I loved the restaurants and bars in Colorado back when we making an annual trips to the state. This place has so much history to absorb and that makes it fun to see and read about. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. So glad you got to spend time with family and show them the city.

    God bless.

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  3. I would like to visit that historic place, it looks like fun and the food looks good too.

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  4. Quite interesting decor and history. We never spent time in Denver the times we visited Colo — went mostly to surtoundig area, mountains and other communities.

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