11th Street Station in Durango

July Evening 2022

Don and I had one night in Durango. We chose to eat dinner at a gas station.

We had wandered by many restaurants, but none lured us the way this festive corner did.  

11th & Main

The Conoco truck was the first thing that caught my eye, on the corner of 11th and Main. Then I spotted food trucks and all kinds of outdoor seating. 

There were tiny tables and long picnic tables to share. There were Adirondack chairs for sitting a spell and tables under umbrellas.

There was an interesting raised area, under a glass roof, with couches and curtains and twinkly lights.

The Old Station

I was most intrigued by the old gas station, sitting towards the back of the property. This old photo shows Ernie's Conoco Triangle, In the 1950's. 

The station opened in 1953, but it wasn't the first. The Spanish Trails Filling Station sat along Main Avenue, long before. It opened in the 1920's.

​Ernie's Bar

​Today, Ernie's name is still connected to the filling station. But it's a bar.

I love a good theme and this Gas Station Bar was done well. We chose to sit right outside the bar. You can see Don behind the Dino pump.

Inside Ernie's

I peeked inside and it was a pretty fun space, with a '57 Chevy poking out of the wall.

I'm guessing that was Ernie in the portrait, high on the wall.

Service

The Service Station area had lots of open seating. The garage doors were open and I could imagine mechanics years ago, working away with a breeze blowing through.

There were old hub cabs on the walls and lots of framed photos of cars. I should have sat for a pose, on the fine cushioned seat, between the taillights.

Bathroom!

The restroom was pretty amusing! I don't know enough to tell you what that sink was made of. But I recognize the gas nozzle!

And of course the trash can was a Pennzoil can!

Food

​There were good food options. Although not all the trucks were open.

The red truck named The Box, served wood-fired pizzas.

Avalanche Bowl Company served up rice bowls with different themes. Hawaiian, Mexican, Poke, Tree Hugger...

The Backwater Gourmet truck, served gourmet sliders! This was our Truck Stop Choice!

Cheers!

Nothing like sipping an Old Fashioned, sitting next the fuel pumps!

I enjoyed a glass of wine and then we dug into our sliders!

Sliders & Slaw!

We shared 3 sliders and  all were delicious. The BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger was my favorite! It came with a huge crispy onion ring.

Actually the Apple Jicama Slaw was my all time favorite! The wet pile of goodie was slapped onto a sheet of waxy paper, with a plate underneath. That sounds horrible, but I loved the sweet and soupy concoction! Our little table of food and drink was just the right amount.

We enjoyed a nice evening, but next time maybe we'll enjoy the day. I see on the website it opens at 7 am!  We can start with coffee and pastry. Then every couple of hours, we can try a new food and eat in a new spot. Can't wait!