FROM THE HEART WITH GINI RIFKIN: March 2025

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Denver's Oldest Restaurant, The Buckhorn Exchange

Located at 1000 Osage Street in Denver the restaurant opened its doors on November 1893 as a saloon called "The Rio Grande Exchange"

Now a National Historic Landmark, it had Colorado's first liquor license. The founder, Henry Zietz, was a colorful figure of the Old West, and in his younger years, was a scout with Buffalo Bill Cody. During those years, the great Indian leader, Chief Sitting Bull, dubbed Zietz "Shorty Scout," in reference to his diminutive stature.

The restaurant was located directly across Osage street from the Rio Grande Railroad yards. The second-story of the building was the Buckhorn Lodge which house railroaders for the night.

Each Friday, the railroaders scrambled across Osage Street to exchange their paychecks for gold. In return, Zietz also handed each man a token good for free lunch and a beer figuring a railroad man wouldn't stop at just one beer.

President Theodore Roosevelt visited in 1905, and purportedly asked Shorty Scout to hunt big game with him after dinner. Other presidents who dined there were Dwight Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter and

Ronald Reagan.

Other visitors or diners included Bob Hope, Jimmy Cagney, astronauts Scott Carpenter, Jack Swigert, Royals Princess Anne, Garth Brooks, Von Miller: Wayne Gretzky, and Dana White.

Not for the faint of heart, Buckhorn Exchange now is home to loads of historical artifacts and over 500 mounted animals.

Traveling Ken

The menu reflects the original offerings of long ago. Appetizers include: Rocky Mountain Oyster, Smoke Buffalo sausage, Grilled Duck breast, Fried alligator tail, boneless rattlesnake marinated in red chili and lime.

Colorado Springs Gazette

Dinner includes beef, of course. The famous Big Steak, anywhere from 1 1/2 pounds to 3 1/2 pounds, will serve 2 to 5 guests. Buffalo served several ways is available, as is wild game including elk, Cornish game hen, quail, duck and salmon. There are combo platters for the adventurous.

Buckhorn Exchange in Denver. Photo: Shelby L. Bell

Deserts are pretty basic with rocky road brownies, cheesecake, ice cream and sorbet, and Dutch Apple Pie.

Deserts are pretty basic with rocky road brownies, cheesecake, ice cream and sorbet, and Dutch Apple Pie. So if you are looking for something different food-wise, with great historical ambiance, try the Buckhorn Exchange 303-534-9505