CALF_News_August_September_2019

50 CALF News • August | September 2019 • www.calfnews.net By James Coope Contributing Editor  CALF BEEF REVIEW Duke's Steakhouse Castle Pines, Colo. Where’s the Really Exceptional I f you travel along Colorado’s Front Range between Denver and Colorado Springs today, you may be hard pressed to rec- ognize the area’s rich ranching history. There are, however, some remnants of the area’sWestern heritage that still exist – and thrive – and one of those places is Duke’s Steakhouse. a few miles north of Castle Rock to their current location off Exit 188 in Castle Pines. The new location is a favorite com- munity gathering spot for all kinds of people, where cowboys and cowgirls mingle with golfers who are enjoying a round or two after playing at one of the area’s famous golf courses. If you pull up to Duke’s on any given night, you will find families reuniting, business deals going down and often a lively late- night crowd. There is a large tavern area that offers a more casual dining experience, as well as a more formal seating area for those who prefer an intimate dining experience. Duke’s was founded on the principle of bringing superior beef to the Castle Rock area and, almost 25 years later, they still offer an incredible value and delicious food. According to Breeding, the top beef dish is the prime rib, which is a limited- edition menu item only available Thursday through Sunday after 4 p.m. Take your pick between the 12-oz. Sheepherder, the 16-oz. Ranchhand or the 20-oz. Bullshipper, depending on how hungry you are. If you happen to dine at Duke’s on a day the prime rib isn’t offered, the ribeye is a close second. Duke’s serves only locally sourced, Choice beef, and they handcut each steak to ensure the highest quality, which rivals the high-end steakhouses a few miles north in Denver. For those in the know, Duke’s is the gathering spot of choice, and is well worth the drive. Duke’s is also no longer as much of a secret kept by the locals in Castle Rock, having been named “Best of the Best” in the Steak House category by Colorado Community Newspapers. If you find yourself driving south of Denver on I-25, looking for a reprieve from the big city, the Duke’s experience is an easy detour. For those of us already here, please at least warn us if you intend to ride your horse into the bar!  Duke’s Steakhouse was founded in 1996 by the Breeding and Minarick families. They had been active in food service, distribution, as well as restaurant management, and recognized the growing need for a good steakhouse in the area. In fact, Duke’s was named after a grand champion bull that the family owned. Unfortunately for Duke, the bull was struck by light- ning in his pasture and passed away years before the restaurant opened, but his legacy lives on as the restaurant’s namesake. The Castle Rock area has a rich history of ranching and a rural lifestyle, so Duke’s was a great fit for the community. The original location was actually the old bowling alley that had gone out of business a couple of miles south of the Castle Rock town center. That didn’t stop people from driving down from Castle Rock to visit, and Duke’s became a destination for great food and a good time. Not everyone, however, decided to drive to Duke’s. Brenda Breeding, a Duke’s partner, recalls the most memorable night at Duke’s was when a cowboy decided to ride his horse into the bar, got out of control, and made a mess of the dining area. “We bought quite a few tables that night,” Breeding recalls. After 14 years at the bowling alley location, Duke’s moved