A recent “06880” post on once-upon-a-time Westport stores and restaurants sent readers racing down memory lane.
One of those memories: the Bonanza Sirloin Pit.
It stood where Goodwill is now, near Stop & Shop. Earlier, it was Westport’s Greyhound bus depot; after, it became the very popular Peppermill restaurant.
I’ve always had a memory of seeing Dan Blocker — “Hoss,” from the “Bonanza” TV show — making a personal appearance there.
But I was never sure how accurate that memory was. A posting by Paul Ehrismann on Facebook the other day assured me I was right.
There’s a bit more to the Bonanza story.
According to Wikipedia, the Westport steakhouse was the very first, in a chain that grew to 600 restaurants by 1989.
There was also a Bonanza a mile west, on the Post Road. Today we know it as Sakura.
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I didn’t know that the Bonanza chain had started in Westport with “Hoss.” Thanks for the Friday Flashbacks. I consulted for the Wyly’s Sterling Software company from 1982 until 2000. They were my biggest and best client. Sam Wyly was always proud that he and his brother bought the small Bonanza chain because someone he knew felt he could grow it into a very large business. After Sam bought it, he kept his hands off and let the friend run the company until it was sold around 15 years later.
Sam Wyly has run into serious problems with the IRS in the 21st century, but his accomplishments in the 20th century were substantial with a number of other companies that he bought and let the managers manage while he supplied the money that they needed to grow. Examples include Michael’s art supply stores; an oil and gas company, a green power supply company and a number of others. He also tried to build the first digital phone/data network in the early 1970s but was blocked by AT&T which by federal law controlled all long distance communication at that time (except for Western Union). He was a very active Republican political donor to Ross Perot and to the Bushes. He was a Louisiana boy whose parents ran a Louisiana prison, where he grew up.
I have fond memories of the Bonanza at the Sakura location, specifically, fond memories of the garlic bread. For my family, it was an easy choice and a good alternative to Beefsteak Charlie’s, where my siblings and I would get sick after chugging their bottomless pitchers of root beer.
I remember the bus station and its dusty floor. I was really young so maybe we’re talking 1953. I also remember the CR&L bus that I took from Beardsley Park to the Maple Avenue stop in Westport. I was ten years old and had to change buses in downtown Bridgeport to take the bus going to Norwalk. How things have changed since 1957! I took that trip a few times with no adult with me.
Jack Backiel: 1957, I took that CR&L bus every morning from Maple North (Max’s Meat Market) to Post Road @ Burr for 4th grade at Assumption School. In the afternoon, I was dropped off at the Maple South Country Store run by Betty & Adolph Backiel.
Ann was Adolph’s wife, but maybe there was a Betty there. You’re the one who reminded me that Backiel’s Roadside Stand had gas pumps.
We moved to Westport in 1973 and we used to alternate going out with the kids to Bonanza (steaks), BigTop (hot dogs, burgers and clam strips) or the Athena Diner (pasta and dinner specials).
It is getting hard to recall but I don’t think we ever had a complaint about the steaks or price at Bonanza (always the Rib Steak)!!
Allen’s, Porky Manero and Le Chambord were date night.
On a side note, a steak went for $6.96 at Porky’s on this day 50 years ago and the price of gas was .52 cents a gallon, $3,10 in today’s buck. Colonial houses in Green Farms went for112$K.
Great memories, All!
My contribution goes back to the late 50’s or a bit later, after the Bonanza opened on what is now Sakura. My siblings and I were fascinated by the red saw dust strewn on the floor. My uber fastidious mother — not so much.
She was appalled by what she perceived as the lack of sanitation (the sawdust) serving as proof of other health code violations. Although her non-stop protestations failed to convince my steak-loving father that we should leave without eating, she swore ever after that she (and we) would never return. And we did not.
I hate to be the wet blanket on a glorious Friday (Trump got a hefty judgement jammed up his a— today) but I really don’t see Hoss (Dan Blocker) as being the quintessential Wetspot kinda guy. Personally, he was always one of my favorites but he just doesn’t have that Westport savois faire that comes from being a product of Westport’s Uber alles school system.
stormy Daniels is the only contractor Trump paid
Eric, Let me set you straight. Trump said he could pay one million a day for ten years and still have plenty of money! 83.3 million is like $5,00 dollars to you and me. Now next week he could be hit for $370,000,000.00. Again, this is pocket change.
Jack, as long as we’re on the subject, what do you think Jen, Foti, Bill Harmer and the omniscient owners of the Westport Museum of History and Culture ought to do with the Baron’s South property? They’re the ones making all the decisions about the town’s resources.
Eric, With all due respect, before I attempt to answer your very good questions, I want to hit the pause button until I discuss all this with Alina Habba!
What would Habba Habba do? Don’t ask Jack. Ask Fred Flintstone. But more importantly than what would Habba do is what has tRump done?
Eric, Alina got paid 3.5 million to defend Trump and it ended with Trump losing and will need to pay 83.3 million. I know this looks bad, but Habba is probably the greatest attorney in the history of mankind! I really need to speak to her, and I only get 5 posts and then I’m cut off! As you know, I never exaggerate!! I’ll get back to you.
Art of the Deal- Turn a 5 million dollar loss into an 83 million dollar loss. I told Alina that I’m sick of winning so much! This is my 5th comment. I plead the 5th.
Jack, Eric: to make all of us democratic republic minded Americans happy, Trump will have to post the entire $83.5 mil in bond as well as the $370 mil if he loses that case. Both posts will bear interest he could be earning as the cases goes through multiple appeals, AND, he will need to liquidate assets to post the total bond, even if he has the 400 mil in cash about which he brags. The ruling hurt him.
maybe Trump can find another group of supporters to send him charity
Dan has lost total control of his blog thanks to commentators like you and two other individuals in this post.
Patrick. you selected to reply under my name. I am responding to the others that introduced the subject. I did not change the subject. others did
Patrick, it’s Westport 06880. Rules are for Republicans. Republicans rule. Democrats drool.
Unlike you, I did not see Dan Blocker make a personal appearance at the Bonanza Sirloin Pit—in fact, I’m pretty sure I never ate there. But, as a fan of the TV show “Bonanza,” I do know I bought Lorne Greene’s 45, “Ringo” (very possibly at Klein’s although, if so, I have no recollection of Sally recommending it to me). I still think this might qualify as one of the earliest rap songs.🤨. https://youtu.be/Q-rsTAD0B78?feature=shared