{{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox restaurant | name = Buckhorn Exchange | also known as = | image = File:Buckhorn Exchange, Denver, Colorado (2025).jpg | image_caption = The restaurant's exterior, 2025 | slogan = | logo = | logo_width = | established = {{Start date and age|1893|11|17}} | current_owner = Buckhorn Associates | head_chef = | food_type = Steakhouse | dress_code = | rating = | street_address = 1000 Osage St. | county = City and County of Denver | city = Denver | state = Colorado | postcode = 80204 | country = United States | website = {{URL|http://www.buckhorn.com/}} }} {{Infobox NRHP | name = Zeitz Buckhorn Exchange | nrhp_type = | image = | caption = <!---| location= 1000 Osage St., Denver, Colorado ---> | coordinates = {{coord|39|43|56|N|105|00|58|W|source:NRIS2013a|display=inline,title}} | locmapin = Colorado | built = 1886 | architect OR builder = | added = April 21, 1983 | area = {{convert|0.3|acre|ha}} | refnum = 83001292<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2013a}}</ref> }}
The '''Buckhorn Exchange''' is a historic landmark restaurant and American frontier museum located in Lincoln Park, Denver, Colorado. The restaurant opened in 1893 and is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Denver.<ref name="thed_Icon">{{Cite web| title = Iconic Buckhorn Exchange Steakhouse holds onto history amid building boom| last = Wist | first = Connor| work = 7NEWS| date = 2018-12-05| access-date = 8 December 2018| url = https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/iconic-buckhorn-exchange-steakhouse-holds-onto-history-amid-building-boom}}</ref><ref name="LanierHembree2013">{{cite book|author1=Clint Lanier|author2=Derek Hembree|title=Bucket List Bars: Historic Saloons, Pubs, and Dives of America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=83NiBiMCZNMC&pg=PA232|date=14 May 2013|publisher=Emerald Book Company|isbn=978-1-937110-44-4|pages=232–}}</ref>
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 as the '''Zeitz Buckhorn Exchange'''.<ref name=nris/><ref name="nrhpdoc">{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=83001292}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Zeitz Buckhorn Exchange / Buckhorn Exchange; 5DV1365 |publisher=National Park Service|author=Kathleen Snyder |date=July 28, 1982 |accessdate=May 16, 2019}} With {{NRHP url|id=83001292|photos=y|title=accompanying seven photos from 1982}}</ref>
==History== thumb|Plaque outside of Buckhorn Exchange Buckhorn Exchange was established on November 17, 1893, as a saloon called "The Rio Grande Exchange" by American scout, Henry H. "Shorty Scout" Zietz. Around 1886, the building was constructed by Neef Brothers Brewing Company. Zietz was friends with Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull who called him "Shorty Scout" due to his small physique. Zietz was considered a lifelong friend to the Indians. The saloon catered toward railroaders, cattlemen, miners, gamblers, businessmen and Indian chiefs.<ref name="JohnsonsJohnsons2004">{{cite book|author1=Chuck Johnsons|author2=Blanche Johnsons|title=Savor Denver and the Front Range Cookbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oAinC2h7bZUC&pg=PA30|year=2004|publisher=Wilderness Adventures Press|isbn=978-1-932098-09-9|pages=30–}}</ref>
Theodore Roosevelt dined at the restaurant in 1905 after his Presidential Express train arrived at the Rio Grande rail yards. Roosevelt and Zietz went big-game hunting on Colorado's western slope. The restaurant contains over "500 mounted animals and trophy heads of every description", including an "African Cape Buffalo shot by President Teddy Roosevelt".<ref name="usat_Rock">{{Cite web| title = Rocky Mountain oysters are real – and delicious| author = Olmsted, Larry| work = USA TODAY| date = 2015-03-19| access-date = 8 December 2018| url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/greatamericanbites/2015/03/19/buckhorn-exchange-denver/24967419/}}</ref> As of 2018, five presidents have dined at Buckhorn Exchange.<ref name="9new_Theu">{{Cite web| title = The unique history of the Buckhorn Exchange| author = KUSA Staff| work = KUSA| date = 15 November 2016| access-date = 8 December 2018| url = https://www.9news.com/article/life/style/colorado-guide/the-unique-history-of-the-buckhorn-exchange/352337979}}</ref>
The Daily Meal on Fox News ranked Buckhorn Exchange as one of the oldest operating restaurants in the United States, stating the restaurant received the first liquor license in the state of Colorado.<ref name="foxn_Top1">{{Cite web| title = Top 10 oldest restaurants in America| author = The Daily Meal| work = Fox News| date = 2012-05-22| access-date = 8 December 2018| url = https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/top-10-oldest-restaurants-in-america}}</ref>
Buckhorn's is currently owned by Bill Dutton.<ref name="thed_Icon"/>
==Menu== Buckhorn Exchange is a steakhouse and is known for its Rocky Mountain oysters.<ref name="denv_Wher">{{Cite web| title = Where to Eat Rocky Mountain Oysters, a Classic Denver Dish| author = Hughes, Ashley| work = Eater Denver| date = 2015-01-29| access-date = 8 December 2018| url = https://denver.eater.com/2015/1/29/7932621/taking-a-look-at-the-mighty-rocky-mountain-oyster-a-classic-denver-dish}}</ref>
==See also== * List of the oldest restaurants in the United States * National Register of Historic Places * National Register of Historic Places listings in Denver * List of restaurants in Denver * List of steakhouses
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Buckhorn Exchange}} *{{Official website|http://www.buckhorn.com/}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Buckhorn Exchange}} Category:Restaurants established in 1893 Category:Restaurants in Denver Category:Buildings and structures in Denver Category:National Register of Historic Places in Denver Category:Restaurants on the National Register of Historic Places Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1886 Category:Steakhouses in the United States
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