The new Antlers Café and Bar owner, Chris Braden, is serving up his signature chicken fried steak for customers returning to the historic spot in Yampa following a fire that closed the business for 14 months.

“It’s still the same Antlers with the nostalgic taxidermy and the historical bars, but we have refreshed the entire dining room, refinished the hardwood floors and we have a completely new kitchen facility,” Braden said this week.

The business has transitioned to a new owner, with Braden taking over the helm, for a business established around 1904 that was constructed as a stagecoach stop and saloon.

For Braden, the Antlers offers an opportunity to bring his experience and understanding of the culinary world in the town of Yampa, 39 miles south of Steamboat Springs on Colorado 131.

“A friend of mine knew the owner (of the building), and I was pretty much selected as the person that would be best suited to come over here,” Braden said. “I was the head chef over at Mazzolas Italian Restaurant for several years and then bounced around, working at The Laundry Kitchen & Cocktails and Mahogany Ridge Brewery & Grill. After COVID, I kind of stopped, but the opportunity to come out here and open this facility with its charm and history was something I really couldn’t pass up, and we’re just trying to give the community back something for them.”

His plans are to open the restaurant, located at 40 Moffat Ave., in Yampa, at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for dinner. On Saturday, the Antlers will open at 10:30 a.m. for lunch and will remain open until 9 p.m. for dinner. Sunday service will start at 9 a.m. and transition to a dinner menu that will be served until 8 p.m. The Antlers also features a full-service bar offering everything from cocktails to Coors Light beers.

The dinner menu features a signature chicken fried steak and offers cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches and grilled steak sandwich options. Those looking for more can find seared trout and a bistro steak dinner option. The menu also included appetizers, sides, soups and salads and a desert selection to top off the meal.

“For brunch we’re doing the full gambit — eggs benedict, specialty waffles and a chimichanga and a breakfast burrito. There will also be all the classic egg plates including huevos rancheros and the whole nine yards.”

He said most of the Antlers menu is relatively gluten free and the kitchen will offer vegetarian green chili.

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“We’re trying to hit the mark by trying to minimize the amount of gluten that we’re using in a lot of our items, that way everybody can come in and enjoy the food, and have a good time,” Braden said.

He added that in the three weeks since reopening, the restaurant has seen a good response from the community.

“Just come on down and check out the new Antlers. It’s Antlers 2026” Braden said. “We’re trying to keep this a community spot that welcomes to everybody. It’s not going to be fine dining, and we’re keeping our prices reasonable with the market we have right now.”