Breckenridge Texan

By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

On Saturday evening, as Ronnie Calsoncin’s family, friends and long-time customers — many of whom fit into more than one of those categories — gathered at Ernie’s Spanish Kitchen to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his family’s restaurant, Ronnie took a few minutes to sit down and talk about the milestone. When we got to the last question — Do you have anything you’d like to say to the Breckenridge community? — Ronnie got a little choked up. But, he quickly regained his composure, and, looking around at the crowds of people, he said, “I feel like the luckiest person on Earth.”

Then, duty called and he was back to shaking hands with old friends, checking on customers and helping out the restaurant’s staff. There may have been a party going on, but there was still business to take care of.

The celebration included food trucks and a band — Yesterdaze Wine — in the parking lot and regular Ernie’s service inside. To go along with the Golden Anniversary for the restaurant, there was cake and festive decorations.

Ernie’s Spanish Kitchen’s dining room was busy Saturday night, while others enjoyed the music of Yesterdaze Wine and barbecue in the parking lot, as the Calsoncin family celebrated 50 years in business. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Ronnie said the Breckenridge communities — and even the surrounding communities — have always been supportive of Ernie’s and the Calsoncin family. “Especially during COVID,” he said. “That was a pretty tough, trying time. But, they really helped us out. This is a strong community, and I just can’t give back enough.”

The history of Ernie’s Spanish Kitchen goes back more than 50 years ago to Andrews, Texas, where Ronnie’s mother, Rosalita Calsoncin, and his aunt, Isabel Diaz, owned a small restaurant.

At that time, Ronnie’s parents, Rosalita and Ernesto “Ernie” Calsoncin, visited Breckenridge several times on fishing trips to Hubbard Creek Lake. They liked it here so much that in 1974, they moved to Breckenridge. Using Rosalita’s recipes, they opened Ernie’s Spanish Kitchen. Although he had never run a restaurant before, Ernie learned to make Rosalita’s recipes and took over.

“Mom kind of stepped off a little bit,” Ronnie said. “She had a dress shop, so she stepped back.”

Technically, Ronnie says, the restaurant opened in November of 1974, but when Ernie went to get a tax permit, the guy at the tax office said, “Don’t worry about it. If you make it in the first year, then we’ll write you up a tax permit.” So, the family celebrates the official opening as 1975.

Ernie and Rosalita Calsoncin started Ernie’s Spanish Kitchen in Breckenridge in the mid 1970s. (Courtesy Photo)

Ronnie explains that at first the restaurant was located on East Walker Street in what is known around town as the “old Pie Shop.” Then, it moved to the 1900 block of West Walker Street in the little shopping center across from what is now One Church. In about 1982, the restaurant relocated to its current location at 2915 W. Walker St.

When he was in high school, Ronnie worked at the family restaurant, and then in 2004, Ernie decided to retire. With the encouragement of his wife, Christy, Ronnie bought the restaurant and has continued to run it as Ernie’s Spanish Kitchen. Following his dad’s advice to keep the business and family life separate, Ronnie said Christy, a teacher at East Elementary, is involved in the backside of the business but not the day-to-day operations. “It can get hectic,” he said. “And, that’s not good for family.”

Although he handed the reins over to Ronnie, Ernie continued to help out at the restaurant when needed. And, he and Rosalita continued to enjoy the restaurant as patrons until they passed away in 2020 (Ernie) and 2022 (Rosalita).

The enduring popularity of Ernie’s Spanish Kitchen was evident Saturday night. When the Breckenridge Texan posted a picture of the family in front of Ernie’s and reminded our readers that the celebration was going on, the post received more than 33,000 views, more than 500 reactions and 80 comments, to date.

Here’s a sampling of some of the comments:

• “We had a fun time! Congratulations! Steve and I have been eating at Ernie’s for all 50 years!” — Shirley Wylie
• “An absolute must when in Breckenridge…or worth the drive from just about anywhere. Congratulations on 50 years! A true success story!!” — Tawana Thomas
• “Congratulations! I have been around and enjoying great food for all 50 years, too!” — Phyllis Eubanks Curry
• “Congrats to a great family! Breckenridge is blessed to have this wonderful family-owned business!!” — Beverly Olson

Ronnie and Christy Calsoncin were joined by their family, as well as friends and long-time customers, on Saturday evening to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ernie’s Spanish Kitchen. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Ronnie Calsoncin took a few minutes Saturday night to pose for a picture with his wife, Christy, amid the celebration for Ernie’s Spanish Kitchen’s 50th anniversary. In the 1970s, Ronnie’s parents, Ernie and Rosalita Calsoncin, moved to Breckenridge and opened the restaurant; in 2004, with Christy’s encouragement, Ronnie bought the restaurant and continued running it. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)