PARK CITY — Dozens of people gathered together Sunday in a rustic and run-down restaurant, where a rootin', tootin' good time was being had by customers and employees who were bidding happy trails to a departing old friend.
And parting, in this case, wasn't just sweet sorrow. It was also spicy, smokey, even sour for some.
Yup, Texas Red's farewell moment — and meal — were ones to savor.
Texas Red isn't a heel-stompin', gun-totin', bushy- bearded, cowboy-hat sportin' li'l yokel as he's portrayed on the menu that bears his name. He is the restaurant — or was, until Sunday night. Marking the end of a legendary era, the final orders were taken at Texas Red's Pit Barbecue for the good ol' fashioned grub that's been chowed on at this Park City eatery icon for 24 years.
A fact that's hard to swallow for many.
"It's a real popular place," said Jodi Gaylord, who's worked off and on at Texas Red's for 10 years, making her the longest-tenured employee. "The locals have been threatening to picket, to riot, to sign petitions. They are not happy about this. They are very upset."
Many well-wishers dropped by for souvenirs (the menus went faster than Wild Wings) and to enjoy one last bite of the famous ribs, pulled pork, slaw and beans.
"It's been pretty busy," said Stacy Gerber, who's worked there for two years.
She was talking about last-minute brisk brisket-buying business at the diner, but she could've easily been referring to her impromptu side job. She emptied the Texas Red's T-shirts out of her closet and sold them all.
"Anything with Texas Red's that people could get their hands on, they've taken," she said.
New owners will get rid of what's left. They are going to gut the old restaurant — the building's been around since 1898 — spiffy it up and present Park City with a new BBQ joint called Bandits. Remodeling will begin on May 1 and could be completed as soon as Aug. 1.
Texas Red's has been one of the most popular restaurants for locals and out-of-towners since it opened. That was in 1979, when Ron "Waterbed" Purdom, a red-headed Stetson-wearing businessman from Fort Worth who played the part of Texas Red for nearly 20 years, partnered with Johnny Newman and Cathy Kahn.
Purdom had the secret sauce recipe from Texas, and they got the name from the Marty Robbin's song, "Big Iron." Texas Red was an outlaw who was hunted and shot down by the sheriff.
Seeing Texas Red's shut down isn't easy for Purdom, who sold his share several years ago. "I was really connected with it for 20 years," he told the Park Record. "I hate to see it go."
Berdene Dennison, Shirley Carlson and Betty Briggs drove from Duchesne and Salt Lake City to Park City and were licking their chops to eat there Sunday. They were shocked by the sign saying that Texas Red's was "closing the doors forever April 13."
"My heart hurts," Dennison said.
They loved Texas Red's atmosphere — the buffalo and moose heads, the Western art, the Texas signs, the long horns over the bar, the pinto beans, the cranked-up music, the strange and twisted Elvis doll that is missing a hand. Robert Clark likes it so much he came Saturday night, and then again on Sunday with his mom. They came too late Sunday; Texas Red's ran out of food about 6 o'clock and closed early.
"Bum deal," said Pam Clark. "We're going to miss it."
The Clarks snapped a couple of photos standing in front of Texas Red's and asked for a momento.
As for Gaylord, she might try to get a job at the new place, but she'll miss Texas Red's and the memorable moments that seemed to always happen.
Like the pepper-eating contests (bitter memory). Like the time a man asked for a divorce in front of his two children (bad memory). Or the time a different man asked a woman to marry him at that same table (good memory). And the time Roseanne Barr got in a belching contest (repressed memory).
E-MAIL: jody@desnews.com