You Won’t Believe The Prices From When This Beloved Colorado Steakhouse First Opened

While it's not the oldest restaurant in Colorado, it is the oldest restaurant in Loveland: The Black Steer in Downtown. The steakhouse/restaurant first opened back in 1966, and has become legendary in not just The Sweetheart City, but across Northern Colorado.

Technically, The Black Steer dates back to 1957, as that's when The Charco Broiler in Fort Collins opened. Lee Stark, owner of The Charco Broiler, opened a sister restaurant, The Black Steer almost 10 years later. When you visit both, you can definitely see/feel the similarities. They both have that "old school cocktail bar" vibe, that many enjoy.

Being open over 50 years in Downtown Loveland, The Black Steer has employed tens of thousands of people, and served 100s of thousands of hungry/thirsty customers. The place has been a part of generation after generation of Lovelanders' lives. I remember my uncle using his Diner's Club card to pay for dinner when he took us out for dinner, back in the 80s; I remember thinking he was so cool.

READ MORE: The Black Steer's Mascot Has a Great Name

Over the years, though they've updated the menu and remodeled "here and there," The Steer hasn't changed very much since 1966. The restaurant area is still to the west, and The Rear of the Steer (bar) is to the east, with a little bit of seating between the two sections. Along the wall between the bar and restaurant, you'll find a wall hanging of their original menu from 1966. It's fun to look at what they had on the menu then, and the prices.

Some Items on the 1966 Black Steer Menu:

• "He-Man Size" 20 oz. Club Steak ($4.50.)
• Their "Famous Club Steak Sandwich" ($1.50.)
• Charco-Burgers (about $.50.)
• Char-Ka-Bob (still on the menu, still delicious) ($2.25.)

Take a close look: