Now that February 14 has arrived, Deanna Truelsen knows there are a few things that need to be done.
First off, Truelsen usually rolls out a batch of homemade cookies to celebrate the holiday, but she also celebrates the 30-year anniversary since she took over the Ponderosa Restaurant in Dolores.
When asked about the secret to their success, Val and Deanna Truelsen just shrug and smile.
For three decades they have been serving up a heap of helpings of home-town cooking.
They have seen people come and go, but mostly things have stayed the same at the Ponderosa.
“We've only added a few things to our menu over the years,” she said.
They know what works and they stick with it.
Chicken fried steak and pancakes have remained at the top of the list as the most popular items for Ponderosa regulars.
And the pancakes are famous around the area and beyond.
“One time a hunter came in and said, ‘I want a pancake. I heard about them on the Lone Cone,'” Val laughed.
The Lone Cone is a 12,000-foot mountain in the San Juan range.
The one thing that has changed for the Ponderosa is that over the years fewer wearing fluorescent orange have walked through the doors.
“We are seeing less hunters,” Val said. “The big change is there used to be one season, now it is split up in a bunch of different seasons.”
Deanna said another thing that makes the restaurant special is how long people have worked there. Waitresses and cooks can boast 20-plus years serving up good food and friendly conversations at the Ponderosa.
“We are very fortunate to have such great staff,” Deanna said. “Restaurants usually have such big turnover, we just don't have that.”
Stop by and tell the staff at the Ponderosa happy anniversary today; Deanna says there will be free cookies and coffee, and for dinner, don't miss the steak and lobster special.
But, be aware that Deanna and staff won't have a lot of time to celebrate. They will be busy catering the Dolores State Bank Stockholders meeting.
“It is gong to be a busy day,” she said.
After 30 years, some things never change at the Ponderosa.