The Silver Grill Cafe

John Arnolfo is the author of The Silver Grill Cafe: An American Story and A Counter Seat to Fort Collins History and former owner of the Silver Grill Cafe in Fort Collins, Colorado. From the moment he sat at the Grill's worn counter in the mid-1970s, he loved watching the busy waitresses shouting orders to the grill cook, the sound of sizzling bacon, and the taste of the Grill's homestyle food.Growing up in California, John enjoyed the outdoors and socializing with friends far more than academics, but his immigrant parents were determined to see him become the family's first college graduate. Dutifully, he enrolled at Colorado State University, which he chose for its proximity to the Rocky Mountains.During college John worked as a ditchdigger, waiter, and gravesite salesman. He then moved to Vail, Colorado, where he spent winter days skiing, summer days riding rodeo and packing horses, and nights waiting on VIPs at a prominent restaurant.In 1979, armed with youthful confidence but no restaurant-ownership experience, John and a partner bought the Silver Grill, a tiny cafe that had been in business for over 50 years. On their first day, the two novice owners learned to crack eggs without breaking the yolks and prevent a temperamental griddle from catching fire.Initially, the Grill's sales could not support its owners, so they worked second (and sometimes third) jobs. Eventually, John's calculated risks, new ideas, lessons learned from experience, and perseverance led to business success and lasting friendships.John played an active role in transforming Old Town into the jewel of Fort Collins and built the Grill into an award-winning restaurant and home of world-famous cinnamon rolls. By the time he sold the Grill in 2021, it had become a community icon and served thousands of meals and over 10,000 cinnamon rolls every month.Since hanging up his apron, John has become an author, storyteller, and coach to other entrepreneurs. He is the proud father of two sons, an alumnus of Colorado State University, and a Fort Collins resident.