Pioneer Saloon old west meets new
paulette phlipot
no visit to ketchum is complete without
a stop at the steakhouse affectionately known as “the Pio.” Owner Duffy Witmer has been working door to floor for 30 years to make sure everyone who comes into his saloon has a memorable meal. Prime rib, steaks, fresh seafood, ribs—you won’t leave unsatisfied. The Pio is typical of an earlier Idaho when ore wagons rattled down Main Street and business was done with a handshake over a beer. An interior décor of natural woods, mounted game and period firearms helps create an authentic saloon atmosphere. You can stop in for a drink at the cowboy bar any night and choose from a wide variety of beers, wines and liquors. Mosey on in to the dining room where most seats give you a view of a busy kitchen cranking out delicious, tender beef, grilled trout and overstuffed Idaho bakers. The Pioneer Saloon sits in the heart of Ketchum, the gateway to the Sawtooths and a mile from Sun Valley, the oldest and most elegant ski resort in America. The surrounding area is a recreation-lover’s paradise year-round and, since 1950, The Pioneer has become a traditional stop. This is the place for tourists, locals and anyone with a big appetite for history and great food. “If you haven’t been to the Pio,” says Duffy, “you haven’t been to Ketchum.”
a bit of history
contact
Phone: 208.726.3139 Location: 320 N. Main St., Ketchum Hours: 5:30 pm nightly Outdoor dining: No Beverages: Beer, wine, full bar Reservations: Not accepted Type of cuisine: American steakhouse Service: Dine in Website: www.pioneersaloon.com
The Pioneer Saloon. . . or the Commercial Club, as it was called originally, was opened in the 1940’s as a gambling casino operated by Otis Hobbs. A few years later the casino closed and the American Legion took it over and it was used as a meeting hall. For a short time, the building was converted into a dry goods store. Around 1950, the building was reopened as a gambling casino by Whitey Hirschman, who named it Pioneer Saloon. Although never legal in Idaho, gambling flourished in Ketchum until 1953 when the law intervened. Whitey operated the Pioneer as a bar and a colorful antique store until the spring of 1965. In the mid ‘60’s, the Pioneer was redesigned as a restaurant. The present version of the Pioneer Saloon dates back from 1972—hence, the phrase “Where were you in ‘72”, the theme of our annual Pio Days celebration held each November. Duffy and Sheila Witmer have been the sole owners of the Pioneer Saloon since 1986.
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