Dropping in for chili

Sometimes a good bowl of chili is worth a long flight.

On April 27, Carbon County native Dennis Koontz and about 15 pilots and friends from the Denver area flew eight small airplanes to Shively Field with a goal in mind—To sample an amazing, unable-to-be-replicated pork green chili, which has its recipe kept secure at the Hotel Wolf.

Although the recipe now sits at the Wolf, the spicy chili originated and was first served by Koontz’ father, Bill Koontz, who owned the “Highland’s Chicken Shack” in Walcott with his wife, Ruth. The restaurant sat near Exit 235, where travelers turn to go to Saratoga or Hanna.

Koontz, who grew up in Rawlins and now lives near Denver, said the secret chili recipe was passed from his father to the Hotel Wolf as a generous gift.

“My father handed the secret recipe to Doug Campbell at the Hotel Wolf sometime in the 1970s, and my parents sold the Chicken Shack in the late 80s,” he said. “My parents were dedicated and the kind of people who would get up at 4 a.m. to drive in the middle of a blizzard to get their restaurant going.”

Proving their love for the one-of-a-kind chili, Koontz and most of his group walked from Shively Field to the Hotel Wolf where they had reservations for the special lunch. The chili, which is now so special that it may only be served for Koontz and his friends, was served buffet-style and complemented with tortillas, scrambled eggs and iced tea.

Before heading back home to Denver, the pilots and friends also engaged in downtown sightseeing. This trip marked their fourth year coming to Saratoga for the secret chili, with more trips likely to follow.