BY MIKE PUCKETT

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Big Nose Kate’s Saloon is a must while visiting Tombstone. Not only do they have wonderful food, but the drinks, staff and atmosphere are exactly what you would expect and desire Tombstone to represent.  Don’t be nervous about setting yourself up at the bar and taking a shot of straight whiskey like they would have back in the day … it will take you right back to the 1800’s in a flash.

Big Nose Kate’s is located in the middle of town. The building was once the Grand Hotel, originally built in 1881. As the story goes, the night before the Gunfight at the OK Corral, the Clantons and the McLaurys were guests of the Grand Hotel.

The famous Big Nose Kate’s Saloon has wonderful food to go along with a wide variety of craft beers and liquor. But, there’s a lot to do at Big Nose Kate’s besides grabbing a great meal and a drink. During the day, the place has more of a family atmosphere. You can take pictures of your party living it up with people dressed up in vintage clothing. On some days, you can sit back and listen to the live music coming from the stage. At night, things get a lot livelier.  It’s a great spot to hang out and enjoy Tombstone’s night life with friends and locals alike. We did a little of both!

After we had finished exploring the mines, we decided to stop and enjoy lunch at Big Nose Kate’s. We had been told that they had one of the best Reuben sandwiches west of the Mississippi and I gotta tell you, it’s true! We sat down and enjoyed a feast!

Goldie’s Famous Over-stuffed Reuben is a taste sensation! It’s made with toasted rye bread chock-full of juicy, slow-cooked corned beef and topped with kraut, Swiss cheese and Kate’s special sauce. Let me tell you this sandwich is something special! There is so much corned beef stacked high on rye that I literally peeled off pieces as I was eating the sandwich to enjoy the delicious taste of pure corned beef between bites. The special sauce really brought all the elements of the sandwich together – the way a great Reuben should. It was served with crisp, tasty onion rings and pickles. I highly recommend.

Next up, we enjoyed the Cowboy Cheese Steak with Fries. Oddly enough, we were eating East Coast delicacies in an Old Western town. Now, I am a sucker for Philly Cheesesteaks and I was sincerely impressed with this one as it had that western kick to it. The Cowboy Cheese Steak was made with shaved rib-eye steak, sautéed onions, green bell peppers, pepper jack cheese and… here it comes… drizzled with a house-made Chipotle Ranch Sauce and served on a freshly-baked hoagie roll. Wow! Pretty unbelievable.

Our wonderful server, who was dressed to the T in Old Western attire, suggested we all order a Big Nose Kate Big Ole Beer and the BBQ Brisket. So that’s just what we did… what a good call! Curly Bill’s Brisket Dinner consisted of savory slow-cooked BBQ beef brisket served with a special tangy BBQ sauce, fries, and potato salad; a truly western meal in a truly western town.

Whether you’re looking to see the sights, eat lunch or dinner, have a drink or even dance, then Big Nose Kate’s is the place to go while in Tombstone. Just take a look at the photography and you will see what I mean.

PHOTOGRAPHY: MIKE PUCKETT