Welcome to Sweeney’s!

Sweeney’s is a composite of 36 years worth of work by the owner and staff. A labor of love for sure.

The beginning was a 3,000 sq. ft. house with a small shop in front that sold turquoise jewelry, antique bottles, et cetera. While gingerbread trim tap danced across the plywood exterior and green-tinged paneling accented the flagstone fireplace… just the kind of job for the Laurel and Hardy construction company.

Seven friends and Terry Sweeney moved in, ripped the place apart, and then discovered that the sum total of their building experience was that of having built a work bench with no drawers and a canoe during Boy Scouts. But it was magic. It worked, we learned how to plug in skill saws and use alien things like tape measures and hammers. We found that Gary Truax, besides taking the initiative to actually get a Uniform Building Code book, could understand it too.

By then the townspeople of Durango had discovered our ineptness and joined in with deals on building materials and hired work, much appreciated advice, and most of all, some credit. We wish to thank Hank Deaton for the cedar wood sold to us at cost after he hauled it all the way from Albuquerque; Merle Royce for the tile work traded for dinners; the Roseberrys for their endless explanations about plumbing; the folks that owned collapsing buildings veneered with the barn wood you see; the many tool owners that never saw them again… all you locals that made this place possible.

Sweeney’s Grubsteak officially opened on March 17th, 1973, St. Patrick’s day – most auspicious I’d say. At that time the restaurant was about half the size it is now, with a new project being completed every summer… each one adding more character to the place. All the plants were just little guys that March, and have grown along with the restaurant. The ivies were starts, the scheffelera was five inches tall, Murphy was an opening day present from Betty Sweeney (Mom) and was then, residing in a 6 inch Safeway plastic pot. Murphy is now residing in the stairwell.

The antique light fixtures, prints, paintings and stained-leaded glass came later, a little at a time. They were all hand collected by Terry Sweeney. So what you see is thirty-six years worth of improvements. And everytime you come back, we’ll be even better. Please tell your friends about us.

Our special thanks to: Bryan Raymond, Jamie Millican, Steve Choi, Mike Mullins, Georgia Riley, Gary Truax, Odie Lundt (Ravi Khalsa), Greg Shepard, Jeff Frankin, and The nine investors

The family wishes to also thank Joni and Stephen for carrying on the tradition, everyone else and especially, to magic.

In memory of Terry Sweeney, for all that he has left and everything he taught us, we will strive to provide you with a memorable dining experience.