One in a collection by Allen Bachoroski,
Local Historical Writer,
Tales Along the
Highway of Legends
Note: This
is one in a series of historical stories about local families
in the Trinidad region.
Click here to find out more
about how these stories were collected.
Lee's
Bar-B-Q, Inc. has been in operation since, May 1938, when
Ray lee hitched to Pueblo and borrowed $500.00 from a
family friend, Yousich (now deceased) to open the first
Drive-Inn Restaurant in Trinidad, at the corner of San
Pedro and Kansas. He leased the property and converted
the castle shaped service station into a Drive-Inn Restaurant.
Ray and his sister, Helen Weeded ran it first until Ray
joined the Air Force in 1942. While Ray served in the
service his family including his mother, Mary, kept the
business going. Ray was discharged in 1946, and he and
his brother, Bob, went into business together.
This was mainly a car-hop service as there were only six
stools at the counter. Today there are ten stools and
twelve booths due to several remodeling jobs done through
the years, and a carport was added for all weather service.
Ray expired in 1981 and Bob retired, but the Bar-B-Q still
is in operation. A dream realized for Ray as he hoped
his children would some day continue on with the business.
Robby, Ray's son, continued after Bob retired and Earl
Hurley, a new partner, joined the business. Robby and
he worked well together till 1985, when Earl left for
another job.
The Bar-B-Q has always served Bracco pure beef and the
best quality products, even real potatoes. Robby's sister,
Barbara, is now his partner and they are doing a great
job. They try, as in the past, to give their customers
the best service possible. Down through the years, they
have had some great employees, not to mention some great
customers.
(Note:
if you have Photos of this family or know of anyone that
does, please have them get in touch with us so that we
might share some photos of the family here)