Pioneer Saloon
| Pioneer Saloon | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Pioneer Saloon | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Owner(s) | Duffy and Sheila Whitmore |
| Food type | Steakhouse and seafood |
| Location | Ketchum, Idaho, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°40′51″N 114°21′51″W / 43.6808°N 114.3643°W |
Pioneer Saloon is a restaurant in Ketchum, Idaho, United States. It is nicknamed "the Pio" by locals.[1]
History
The restaurant was originally a gambling hall called the Commercial Club built in the 1940s. It closed a few years later, and was used as an American Legion meeting hall and dry goods store before becoming a casino again in 1950.[2] It was then renamed the "Pioneer Saloon". In 1953, efforts to end illegal gambling in Idaho forced the establishment to become a bar and restaurant.[3]
The Pioneer Saloon was renovated into its current form in 1972. In 1986, it was bought by Sheila and Duffy Whitmore, who run the restaurant with their children and grandchildren.[4] Its interior is decorated with Western and Native American memorabilia and art, including sculptures and taxidermied animals.[5] In his later years, Ernest Hemingway was a customer.[6] Some memorabilia from Hemingway's home in Ketchum decorate the restaurant.[5]
It was named one of "Americas's Classics" by the James Beard Foundation in 2025.[1]
Description
Its menu includes items like steak, prime rib, beef ribs, burgers, kebobs,[3] smoked trout, and shrimp cocktail.[5] The restaurant serves both beef and bison meat. Its signature dish is the "Jim Spud", a baked potato topped with teriyaki beef, cheese, caramelized onions and chives. The dish was named after Jim Freeman, former chef and general manager of the Pioneer Saloon.[3]
References
- ^ a b Stewart, Kayla (February 26, 2025). "These 6 Restaurants Just Won the 2025 James Beard America's Classics Award". Eater. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ Press, By Hayden Seder For the Idaho (November 17, 2019). "Are you hungry? Dine on history in Ketchum: Cristina's, The Pioneer Saloon, and Grumpy's". Idaho Press. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
- ^ a b c Olmsted, Larry. "An Old West saloon with spuds worth seeking out". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
- ^ Writer, ALAYLIA WILSON Express Staff (February 28, 2025). "Pioneer Saloon named an American classic". Idaho Mountain Express Newspaper. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
- ^ a b c Deeds, Michael (February 27, 2025). "Idaho restaurant wins James Beard Award — one of six in U.S. It's not in Boise". Idaho Statesman.
- ^ "Pioneer Saloon". Accidentally Wes Anderson. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2025.