You can smell Punky’s long before you can see Buena Vista’s humble diner. It gives the Arkansas River Valley village a down-home aura of momma hollering out the back porch, “BBQ’s ready, come ‘n’ get it!”
Punky’s offers the standard fare of any respectable diner: burgers, fries, fried chicken, cole slaw and wings and fresh sandwiches. The super- sized Mount Elbert sandwich lives up to its name, with massive piles of turkey, ham and beef and three types of cheese. This is the go-to sammie for a fourteener climber. But what really sets Punky’s high on the ladder of diners is its smoked BBQ. Giant slabs of slathered ribs. Succulent pulled pork and brisket, which are served in sammies or 1-pound to-go containers. A couple three of those, a rack of ribs, a loaf of white bread and a jar of pickles equals a partying picnic for the riverside park down the street.
Get there — Stop by at 421 E. Main St., 719-395-2238
