MySpace - Rock Springs Cafe - 91 - Male - Rock Springs, Arizona

Rock Springs, for hundreds of years, has been variously an Indian Encampment, a bivouac, and the watering stop for miners, cattle drovers, and sheepherders during the western expansion of the U.S., as well as a watering stop for the Black Canyon Stage from 1884 until 1917.
The first commercial use of the property was made in 1920 by the young (18) Ben Warner, who built a canvas-covered store while making the adobe blocks for the Hotel and General Store, which opened in 1924.

The Hotel housed many notables, including early Hollywood Stars Tom Mix & Jean Harlow. The journey in or out of Phoenix to the gold and silver mines of the Bradshaws — when an auto trip of 60—70 miles generally engendered 10 or 12 flat tires and numerous overheated vehicles was arduous. The Goldwater family, who were early Arizona pioneers, were frequent visitors stopping to rest and enjoy some of Rock Springs’ justly famous blackberry pie; more recently were Waylon Jennings and Marty Robins.

Back when the West was wild, eatin’ wasn't nearly as civilized as it is now. With hardly any womenfolk around, it was up to the men to rustle up the grub at mealtime (they didn't exactly call them chefs). On the trail, a cowboy’s dinner was most likely an old biscuit and a plateful of “Prairie Strawberries” (that’s what they called those red beans they ate day after day). We at Rock Springs decided to change all that; we brought in Midwestern beef (not Longhorn) and a man from Kansas who knows how to cut and cook them the way you like. Our line of cooks make the best Mexican vittles you’ve eaten in a long time. Our Bar-B-Q is a direct result of four generations of Tennessee “Smokers”. The “Simple Country Cookin’” portion of this menu is a collection of favorites prepared by our staff.

For private parties from 20 –1500 people, Rock Springs is the perfect celebration headquarters. Reserve the outdoor Rock Springs Patio for your corporate outing, recognition dinner, birthday party, rehearsal dinner or family reunion. Enjoy music, mesquite-grilled steaks & BBQ, all under a starlit sky. Rent our private dinning room for a special evening in a warm, rustic setting with a menu perfectly planned for your group. Or enjoy a semi-private party in a reserved section of the restaurant.

World-Famous Rock Springs Pies are created in our very own bakery using decades of old recipes. Baked fresh daily,these delightful sweets are not to be missed. Enjoy a warm slice in our Café and make sure to take a whole pie home for your family and friends.

Rock Springs saloon started in a tent here in 1920 by “Old (young then) Ben Warner”. When the General Store opened in 1924, the bar moved in with it and stayed there until the Café was built. During prohibition, business slowed to a trickle as evidenced by the still above the door in the present bar. In the 1950s the saloon moved to an addition built on the north end of the building. We opened the present bar on Jan. 1, 1988. Now, as always, it is a meeting place that caters to all. Check out our 1856 Brunswick front and back bar.

Starting as one of the first 100 general stores in Arizona, it is among the only 10 still in existence today. The soda fountain was purchased from Lutes Drug Store in Scottsdale. Browse at relics from much of Arizona’s past and pick up a pie or a T-shirt to take home.

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