The Original Ponderosa (Dolores, Colorado)
Our Free Dinner for Cancer tonight was at the Ponderosa Restaurant in Dolores, Colorado. This Ponderosa is a down-to-earth family affair complete with great people, food and small town atmosphere. We were seated in a booth by the window. Almost immediately the owner Val came by to meet us and discuss Martin's Ride. Val strode over wearing a strapping flannel shirt and put out a big hand for a firm shake. Val talked to us like we were old friends.
Val and his wife Deana owned and operated the Ponderosa for an astounding twenty-eight years. They were doing the best business in town on this Sunday night. We asked him about how the mega-chainPonderosa Steakhouses felt about him using the name. He let out a belly laugh. "They took a run at us," Val said, "but we laughed." Val'sPonderosa has been around long before the chain becoming grandfathered. Score one for the little guy.
Dolores is a popular for cross-country biker stop. Tourism accounted for 40% of the restaurant’s business during summer months. I marveled at the sizable small mouth bass and rainbow trout hanging on the wall undoubtedly homage to legendary fishing holes nearby. We opted for thePonderosa salad bar over the soup, a great call considering the myriad choices at the bar. My salad featured a healthy helping of romaine lettuce, authentic French dressing, assorted nuts, carrots and croutons. Val told us the house special was, “Chicken Fried Steak”. Being a Yankee, I was confused. The dish was familiar to people below the Mason-Dixie line where there is a propensity to fry just about anything. Martin and I both decided we had to try thePonderosa's Chicken Fried Steak. Jeremy, having eaten chicken fried steak many times, chose Liver & Onions. My meal was very flavorful. I savored the chicken fried steak's crunchy exterior and good old-fashioned French fries. Jeremy enjoyed his liver and onions (after all they are chock full of vitamin B!). Martin was glad to eat anything after his
longest, hardest day. After the meal, we met Val’s sweet wife Deana and got of photo of Martin with the couple in front of Ponderosa’s sleek green and red retro sign. So come on down to Ponderosa to fill up on great conversations and vittles!
Contact
Ponderosa Restaurant
108 South 8th Street, Dolores, Colorado
970.882.7910