Buckhorn Exchange in Denver Colorado

Buckhorn Exchange

Address: 1000 Osage St.

Cross Streets: 10 & Osage

Phone: 303-534-9505

Price: $$$$

Reservations: Yes

Hours: L-D:Mon-Fri, D:Sat-Sun

This is Denver’s oldest restaurant—where the train stopped and hungry cowboys, tycoons, rogues and even President Teddy Roosevelt stepped in for a steak and a beer. The certificate stating Colorado Liquor License No. 1 sits proudly on the wall, right alongside autographs of actors, presidents and Buffalo Bill Cody. The hunted trophies of original owner “Shorty Scout” Zietz stare glassily from the walls next to antique guns and other paraphernalia. Don’t miss the annual Buffalo Bill birthday celebration, where old timers and youngsters get rowdy and shout praises to this Wild West legend. Weekends feature cowboy songs, harmonica jams and knee-slapping good tunes. Steak dinners have always been Buckhorn’s specialty, but you might prefer to indulge in a wide variety of game: elk, pheasant, quail, duck or buffalo. Appetizers include a few exotic possibilities: rattlesnake marinated in red chili and lime, spicy buffalo sausage, and Rocky Mountain oysters. At lunch, grab barbecued baby-back pork ribs, a buffalo Reuben sandwich or the buffalo Philly. In winter months, start with a cup of Buckhorn’s hearty bean soup. Finish with hot Dutch apple pie steeped in cinnamon-rum sauce.