Buckhorn Exchange in Denver

"Zietz Buckhorn Restaurant" since 1893

Don and I were curious about the Buckhorn Exchange, when we spotted it in an old cookbook. It had a different name in 1964, when the restaurant was run by the original owner's son.

Don and I tracked it down in Denver as soon as we arrived, this past June. At first we studied the area surrounding the corner restaurant and wondered how safe our suitcase loaded car would be. But there was a large fenced in parking lot and the awnings were bright and welcoming.  And we were hungry and excited enough to risk it. 

Image in My Cookbook

This is the book that lured us to the Buckhorn. We had spotted this write-up, with recipe, in our 1954 Ford Motor cookbook. We were excited to learn it was still open and going strong, since it was opened by Henry Zietz, 144 years ago! The recipe for Bean Soup sounded good and the illustration in the book promised an atmosphere filled with as many customers as stuffed critters!

Late Lunch

It was after the official "lunch hours", but Lynn greeted us with a smile and ushered us to a cute table with a checkered cloth.

This was the view I had from my comfy, wingback chair! Well worn wood floors, pressed tin ceiling and just a few of the 575 stuffed creatures, to help us feel less lonely!

Bread and Beer!

Don and I had been on the road a while, so we were happy to sit back and absorb our surroundings. Don sipped on a beer, while I devoured some pretty heavenly bread and butter. Lynn never made us feel like we'd come at an inconvenient time. She seemed delighted that we were so intrigued by the place.

Buckhorn Specialty

Don was very pleased with his salmon and baked beans. I chose Gramma Fannie's Pot Roast Sandwich on Pumpernickel. It's been a specialty since 1893.  The slow cooked Colorado beef brisket and pan gravy, was actually a lot yummier than "pot roast". I had a cup of the famous bean soup that was featured in the book. Very yummy!

Beasts and Critters

The whole downstairs was jammed with Mr. Zietz' collection of Taxidermy Friends. Hunting was obviously a passion of the original owner. But, long before opening the saloon, Mr. Zietz spent time as a member of Buffalo Bill's "hard-riding and straight-shooting band of Scouts". By the time Zietz opened his saloon, he was the perfect host to the cattlemen, miners, railroad workers, Indian chiefs, silver barons and gamblers!  

Lynn and the Book

I was glad we were dining at an off-time, since Lynn was free to laugh over the book with me. Lynn studied the featured page with a huge grin. Then she went directly to a painting on the wall. She recognized the watercolor illustration in the book. They had the original, framed on the wall. 

Lynn was happy to pose with the cookbook... which is always part of the cookbook adventure.  We posed in front of an elk that Henry Zietz shot years ago.

"He thought it was dead!" Lynn, laughed. "But it wasn't." Evidently, Henry moved in closer to get a better look and the angry beast kicked out some teeth!

Old Tables

Lynn said she had been working at the Buckhorn for 30 years and her husband, Bill, for 40. I was impressed with Lynn's enthusiasm after so many years. She clearly did not tire of sharing stories and information.  She pointed out the 160- year-old poker tables, that now serve as dining tables. I can't remember what the little nooks were for, but they were odd little spaces under the tablecloth.
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Were Ladies Allowed?

I kind of loved the Ladies Room upstairs, with the porcelain sinks and antique dresser.

I doubt they had bathrooms at all when the Buckhorn opened in 1893. There probably weren't any ladies either, unless they were the Ladies of the Night variety.  

Celebs Over the Years

On the wall spaces, which weren't covered in furry friends, there were photos of celebrity friends.  Long before the Hollywood stars came to call, there were the Western ones like Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull. Then Teddy Roosevelt stopped for a visit, in 1905. Since those early years, there have been 5 presidents and at least one princess... Princess Anne. There have been plenty of stars from Bob Hope to Garth Brooks. Lynn said she had lots of stories from her 30 years.  She thought Tommy Smothers was pretty amusing.

Upstairs

Lynn invited us to have a look upstairs. She pointed out the wedding dress that had belonged to Sitting Bull's niece. Sitting Bull was the one who nicknamed Henry Zietz, Shortie Scout.

The White Oak Bar

Lynn sent us upstairs to see the impressive front and back bar from 1857, that Zietz had shipped from Germany. She had to get back to work but made sure we stuck our heads in the office to show the cookbook to her husband, Bill. Bill was a tall friendly, character. Even though his clothes weren't western, he seemed to fit the atmosphere well. He took time to point out some of the second story highlights.  Like Lynn, he was full of information, but equally interested in us, asking questions about our travels.

The Roofgarten

Before taking off, Don and I took a peek at the latest room addition, with a couple of stuffed bears and an authentic covered wagon. I wish we could have come back to see what the evening atmosphere was like, with live music, a weekend crowd... and so many wild animals!

Off We Go

There was a little police action going on (with an intoxicated man) across the street, when we left. Let's just say, it added to the old west feel experience!

I'm just so pleased we were able to chat with Lynn and Bill. It must be an exhausting business, yet, both were generous with their time and sincerely proud of this unique, historic place!