Restraurants ..Railroaders..etc in Tales of the Jointed Track

I don’t know why this hit me, this idea. There were places that the old heads frequented. I mean that it was like a shrine. Just a place that’s where, we’re eating. Your with them, either by choice, or asked, or on the way for your call. If you were called, or maybe not, when the meal came, there was no talking. Period. The plates came, set down and there was nothing but knives, forks, elbows, and chowing down. We ate like this was the last meal we were going to get.

When I hired out, in ‘73, you got an hour and a half call. At the home terminal ( Denver ) and at the away terminal ( Pueblo, CO). So you inhaled your meal. So here are a few places I remember.

Patti’s: This was an old bastion. A Pueblo tradition and still operated by the family.
There was a lounge and the main restaurant. Steaks, Seafood and Drinks, so the neon sign said. A place where they basically knew the railroaders. If we came in, we were always asked? Are ya called ? If we were they expedited the order. I never had a bad meal there.

City Diner: When the railroad, had us in downtown Pueblo. 500 AM to 600PM. period. A hash house, diner. A good place to eat. I remember working with the late Gordon Euwell, as a fireman in the ‘70’s . There was a waitress Lucille, who worked the morning shift. She was in her 60’s or later. Gordon says to me, “See that waitress?” ” Yes”. ” That’s Lucille, Bradford, Pennington,and McDaniel, they’re sniff’in her!” Gulp!, really. “I can laugh about it now. “Wow, what ya found out, and not that it mattered. Yeah Gordon,he was pretty blunt.

The China Lantern: Yep it was Chinese food, how did ya guess? They also had the “American” menu. So a lot of these old heads liked to eat there as well. I had some of the Chinese fare and it was good. It wasn’t exceptional, but they did a damn good business. The best meal on the menu, Roast Pork and dressing. Funny thing, I like to cook, and I still haven’t figured out how they did it. Possible, it was how they cooked the pork, not only for this, but the other dishes.

La Tronica’s: This was Italian period. It was in the Bessemer/Minnequa area of Pueblo, where the steel mill was. This was a time when CF&I smelted ore and made steel in blast furnaces. Those have since been cooled and torn down.

The menu was classic, Pueblo Italian, and very very good. They handmade all their pasta, and all the dishes were from scratch. My favorite Chicken and Spaghetti. The homemade sausages, well you know these were handed down old world recipes. I grew up in a German household, so you know from scratch vs mass produced. I read about a year ago, it had closed, due to the children not wanting to take over the business.

FURR’S Cafeteria: This was a staple of our Railroad diet. Yep get what ya want, eat and see ya later. The FURR’s, off of Highway 50 and North Hudson Avenue was always busy. It was a good place, especially since the Ramada Inn, the railroad put us up at, was within walking distance. There also was a retirement hi-rise in the area, so as, Jimmy Cross, our Georgia Philosopher would state. “Ya all want to go to FURR’s to eat? We gotta get going so we ain’t stuck behind them ole people!!”.

The women, who worked there knew us pretty well. Hey we were like a bad relative, we kept showing up. Us younger kids, we were like their other children, so they always loaded up our plates . God Bless ‘em. Makes me sad thinking about them, because I am 61 now and they have passed. We’d tell the crew caller, such n such etc., we’re heading to FURR’s, get us there. The speaker would come on..”If there is a Terry on the Santa Fe here come up to the cashier you’re called”…CLICK… Grab the call..ask if anyone else was needed, even if they were C&S. “Yep I’ll let em know and they can follow up, you need them to verify “? “Nope”. Won’t happen in today’s railroading, all computer calling…gag.

Burl Tree: This was close to FURR’s, by a block or two. They were a Steak, semi Italian, place. I mean there was a variety, but I can’t explain it. There was an item on the menu, Spaghetti Aglio e olio. It was a traditional southern Italian dish. Sauteed Onions, Garlic, Peppers, with Olive oil, then tossed into the pasta. I still laugh, the disclaimer was, ” This is not in a traditional “red” sauce you may not like it”.

The Three Thieves: This too was in the Minnequa area, but a little further north of the main district. This was the “Upscale Steakhouse”, during this time in Pueblo. If we went, we had to make sure, we had time to eat there, because it was always packed. Good Steaks, a good meal. I always enjoyed when we could make it, enjoy a meal, without the threat of being called. I don’t know if it exists any more.

Mozart’s: This was a Bar..period, but they served Dinners as well. No not the typical bar food, the owner was a Chef, and a drunk, and well yeah, let’s leave it there.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Roasted Prime Rib, salad, baked potato, and a vegetable ( green beans or broccoli ). It was very well roasted.. Rare to Well Done. He made three, and when it was gone, sorry. The salad, well was at that time a typical Iceberg lettuce, with the cast of the regular dressings, lol. And Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls!, you got this meal for a WHOPPING .... wait for it…cymbal clash… $8.00. The cut was a basic 12 oz, and add a dollar for every ounce you wanted after that. Was a deal, and they sold out every night.

The Fireside: This was the typical…50’s, 60’s style fine dining restaurant. Was mostly meat, with a few chicken and fish items. I went there a few times and really it was good. I usually would go with John Kostur, either I was his fireman, or was in town, either ahead or behind him by one turn. One night, John says “Hey ya God dammed Scissorbill, ya want to go eat?” “Sure John”. “I’m going to the Fireside, gotta eat and watch Lawrence Welk, before I get called”. EHHHH..Hawwwwww, another wild weekend in Pueblo..lol

Soon’s Chinese: If ya wanted Chinese, this was the place to go. It was an old style Diner. I mean it was old school Diner. They did it well.

The China: This was north of town off of Highway 50, when we were moved to the Rodeway Inn. Was with in walking distance. Every bit as good as Soon’s if not a tad better. This has since closed and went out of business.

The Grand Prix: This was an old school bar in the Bessemer/Minnequa district. It served Mexican food. They had a good menu and was cheap. A Beef Enchilada dinner, 3 of ‘em, with beans and rice, with a beer…$6.50. It was smothered in green or red Chili for an extra .50 cents!

Magdelena’s Black Swan Cafe: Wow, how can I explain this one? This was a dive, and a bar. Open from 630 am ( no booze sold, till after 800 am ) till 230 am. Was dreary dark, and filthy. Like the old song “looked like half past midnight in the afternoon”. If you went to the bathroom, the only thing you touched was yourself.
But that was Mexican food that was to die for. No I never got sick. They made everything from scratch. Menudo was a staple, and it was awesome. Green Chili that was hot and flavorful. I mean, it bit back, but didn’t numb your mouth, so you could continue to enjoy.

Well I am sure there are many others, that I can’t think of at this time …

Bon Appitite

Last updated May 26, 2024