The Beet Street Blog

Recently, Rachael Ray‘s magazine, as part of a feature they will be doing on the best places to eat in Fort Collins, contacted the The Silver Grill here in town. After conversations with writers and photographers, The Grill mailed the magazine folks in New York City a selection of their cinnamon rolls. 

That’s right! We’re talking about the (in)famous cinnamon rolls of The Silver Grill in Downtown Fort Collins, which is now 75 years old! As an avid supporter of Great Plates, long time Downtown Fort Collins resident and our very own slice of Americana, we thought it would be a good time to catch up with what exactly keeps the Silver Grill at the top of the list of places to eat when visiting Fort Collins. We contacted The Grill to learn a little more about what makes that place so special. Johnny Arnolfo the owner, describes the Grill as “…the Café that everyone remembers in their hometown where they grew up.  Our clientele runs the whole spectrum, from ‘Blue Collar’ to ‘White Collar’  to business people to students; but especially the locals and visitors to the area.” Here’s what else he shared…..

The Silver Grill was opened on October 28, 1933 by Flossie and Millie Widger. Johnny attended CSU in the early 70′s and would frequent the cafe. On February 14, 1979 he bought the cafe from Pete Widger, the son of the owner as he loved the history behind the Silver Grill, and it was small enough for a young man to learn the business. At that time, the Grill occupied 1 building, had 8 employees and sat 40 customers. 30 years later, the Grill spreads over 5 buildings, has 50 employees and seats more than 180 guests. It also has an outside patio!

Now Old Town hasn’t always been the way we know it today. When Johnny bought the Silver Grill, Old Town was “an area of transients, bad bars, and in poor disrepair…it was not a place where a person wanted to go.” But they persisted, enduring tough times and when Old Town Square was developed, people saw what the place could be. As Johnny puts it, “it was through the vision of a small few and perseverance by many that has made Old Town what it is today.”

So next time you have folks in town, take them for a stroll downtown to experience the art, energy, food and good times of Fort Collins. Remember those who weathered the storms of Old Town’s journey and continue to sustain our community and health….. and don’t forget that slice of Americana….

Viva Fort Collins!

Thanks for the great pictures from Novello Image Photgraphy, another local company in Old Town.

Kirsten Broadfoot