HISTORY
The Ore House first opened its doors in 1972. The original owners Bill “Beatle” Abshagen and Jim Arias fell in love with Durango, and decided this was the place to call home. Located in a former Chrysler dealership, Abshagen and Arias opened their restaurant in what was, at the time, considered “the bad part of town.”
The original concept for the Ore House was modeled after the Chart House restaurants on the West coast, the idea was to take the seafood and salad bar concept and make a mountain version of it, steak replacing seafood and Ore replacing Chart. The restaurant quickly became a go-to place for quality food and inviting service you couldn’t find elsewhere. The atmosphere of the restaurant, with walls covered in museum-quality Western art, artifacts, and memorabilia, added to that experience, highlighting the spirit of the West and the history of the area.
In 2011 it became apparent that the restaurant was in need of an overhaul, most significantly, a conceptual change to refine and localize the quality of the food. The Ore House underwent a substantial kitchen renovation, which began the evolution of what the menu represents today. Crafting a high quality steakhouse experience, and furthering the Ore House as a pillar of the community, was left in the hands of now owner Ryan Lowe.
Lowe first started at the Ore House in 2005 as a dishwasher, working his way up through every back-of-the-house position, including Executive Chef, before taking over as General Manager in 2010, then ultimately buying the restaurant entirely in 2021. While staying dedicated to the Ore House’s roots as a traditional steakhouse of the mountains, over the last decade Lowe has worked diligently to foster a team of restaurant professionals who are dedicated to their craft and do everything with the utmost care and intention. The Ore House is often described with juxtapositions, such as rustic yet modern, and sophisticated yet charming. This intentional focus towards balance is another component of what makes the experience of dining at the Ore House so memorable.
While today’s menu is still focused around quality steak, and other proteins there is additional emphasis on sustainable, locally-sourced ingredients. The restaurants culinary team continues to stay curious by exploring daily what it means to be a steakhouse. Guests are treated to hand-cut steaks from local and world-renowned ranches, sustainable wild-caught seafood, and seasonal local produce, all paired with an extensive wine and whiskey collection and seasonally driven craft cocktail menu. All this is still experienced in the original location of the restaurant. Although some housekeeping has occured over the years, guests will still find themselves surrounded by the incredible collection of historic artwork that has called the Ore House home for decades.
Lowe and the current leadership team are committed to continuing the Ore House’s legacy as a pillar of the Durango community. Over the last 52 years, while the world around it has grown and changed, the Ore House has evolved yet stood fast in the things that really matter. While it has undergone numerous changes itself, what has remained constant in half a century is the commitment to crafting an excellent dining experience, one that is intentional, memorable, and timeless.
The Ore House is currently led by Owner Ryan Lowe, General Manager Regan Briggs, Hospitality Director Kara Fertello, and Head Chef Sam Krajnak.