Bongo
Billy's: Serving It All Up for Southern Colorado
By Juan Morales
At about two o'clock in the afternoon and after getting lost in town, my friend Luke, my girlfriend, Lauren, and I find Bongo Billy's Salida Café. Once we find the café, we have to make a few u-turns in order to find parking. We got out of the car, and a police officer and two other people stop their conversation and look at us, as it we did something wrong. This bothers me, but I say nothing. Luke gives them a friendly "howdy" and we enter the café.
We pause at the doorway before walking toward the counter and stop in front of a glass case full of various cakes, pies, and desserts. We stare at the columns and categories on the menu: baked goods, salads, soups, sandwiches, desserts, teas, juices, micro-brew beers, wines, and Bongo Billy's Coffee.
Located in downtown Salida on Sackett Street next to a bike shop and a small sculpture garden, Bongo Billy's has been serving in its casual, slow-paced environment for almost four years. The café also provides outdoor patio seating, which allows its customers to enjoy warmer days and a view of the Arkansas River.
I am surprised to see that they not only have vegetarian-friendly meals like salads and cheese quesadillas, but they also have a few vegan dishes, like a black-pea soup. For any carnivores, the menu includes sandwiches, gyros, chicken quesadillas and more. Some time passes before we all come to a consensus, and we decide to live dangerously: three Greek gyros and three waters.
We sit down near the center of the café at one of the many lightly varnished tables and wait. I take a moment to scan the restaurant. Its brick walls are lined with paintings of landscapes, people, and animals by local artist Bailey Escapule, and other decorations including two sets of wooden African masks.
The café is relatively busy with people drinking coffee, playing chess, and eating lunch. Behind us in one of the corners are a small stage and a set of speakers. Our food is served to us quickly—three gyros, blue and green tortilla chips and freshly made salsa, all garnished with a pickle. The delicious meal is followed by a shared marshmallow brownie.
After our meal, Lauren and Luke wander outside to take a walk and explore the town while I sit down to talk with Katie Stucko, manager of Bongo Billy's. Not only is the café a place to get a light meal, cup of coffee, or beer, it has also been a source of community.
According to Kathie, "The coffee and the food and
all of that is here to help build community and give people a place to hang
out and not worry if they are here for three hours drinking one cup of coffee."
Kathie
lists the community activities Bongo Billy's hosts: arts and crafts,
music, films, poetry. When it comes to music, everything, anything and everything
is included: country, bluegrass, jazz, and rock on Fridays and Saturdays.
There's an open mike night for local musicians once a week and open
mike poetry every second week of the month hosted by the local owner of a
pottery studio.
There are three Bongo Billy's locations in Southern Colorado--Buena Vista, Salida and Copper Mountain--but they are owned by different people, and the name and the coffee are their only connection. According to their website, Bongo Billy "is a scientist turned roaster," who gave up corporate life to live in the high country. "And it's the best coffee," Kathie quickly adds.
In the future, Kathie said, "I would like to get this place to the point where everybody comes here to get the best of everything in one package. The best coffee, best food, best atmosphere and the best service while keeping it local." Bongo Billy's Salida Café won Best Coffee Shop in Mountain Living Magazine for 2002. I think Kathie and the staff are on the right track.
I leave the café and join Lauren and Luke at the car. I back out of the parking spot and make another u-turn. They both start laughing.
"What's so funny?" I ask.
"We figured out why the cop was looking at us so funny" Lauren replies.
Luke then points at the "no u-turn sign" in front of Bongo Billy's and continues
laughing.
Southern Colorado Magazine -- Summer 2003