If you’ve flipped through the January issue of 5280, you may already know that this month marks 100 years since the death of Buffalo Bill Cody. And if you’re as intrigued by this Colorado character’s past as we are, you won’t want to miss Lola Coastal Mexican’s second annual Buffalo Bill dinner taking place this Thursday, January 12.

While Cody’s remains reside in a tomb atop Lookout Mountain in Golden, his body was actually held in Olinger Mortuary—now the home of both Lola and Linger restaurants—for months after his passing. As such, Lola’s dinner will commence with a “wake” led by guest speaker Steve Friesen, director of the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave. The ceremony will include a coffin procession and candlelight vigil to honor the man behind the legendary 1800s Wild West show.

Friesen also advised Lola’s executive chef, Jamey Fader, on the evening’s menu, which is checkered with references to the “cowboy” or “Western” foods that Cody popularized via his traveling show. “Buffalo Bill tried to show these local ingredients to folks who weren’t used to them, and now I’m trying to do the same,” Fader says.

Diners will start with fried oysters (Fun fact: Denverites were as oyster-crazy during the late 19th century as they are today) before moving into braised bison cheeks with cornmeal porridge, huevos rancheros with rabbit chorizo and a poached duck egg, and roast bison with chile rojo and warm hominy salad. For dessert? Sugared doughnuts with 1921 Crema Tequila chantilly cream and a warm apple compote. We’re not sure if Denver diners ate this well a century ago, but we’re pretty sure Cody would have approved.

Bonus: Keep your eyes out for Buffalo Bill Cody lookalikes throughout the evening.

Tickets for the dinner are $50 per person and can be purchased in person or by phone from Lola.

1575 Boulder St., 720-570-8686

Callie Sumlin
Callie Sumlin
Callie Sumlin is a writer living in Westminster, and has been covering food and sustainability in the Centennial State for more than five years.