Capo’s is a well-known name in the restaurant business throughout the state of New Mexico and, in particular the city of Albuquerque where they have operated a series of respected dining venues since the 1950s.
So it was with great interest that the town of Red River heard the news that the popular business had acquired the old St. Bernard’s Restaurant property by the river and planned to open an Italian eatery in the fall of 1995.
According to Albuquerque native Frank Venaglia, owner and operator for 20 years, the doors to Capo’s Italian Ristorante opened on November 22, the day before Thanksgiving, coinciding with the local tradition of the opening of the Red River Ski Area on the Wednesday before Turkey Day! There was no turkey on the pizza menu.
The winter of 1995-96 was a mild season. According to the reports of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, below-normal jet stream winds and reduced storm activity brought abnormally dry conditions to the Southwest and Southern Plains during December and January. Deeply affected were Red River’s market states, the second driest October-February period on record since 1895-96 in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.
When the first season was over in March of ‘96, Venaglia and Capo’s were still standing, lights on, doors open. Unlike most restaurants in town in those days, the venue continued to feed the few locals remaining here in off-season and the even fewer tourists who wandered down the highway looking to eat.
May 5, 1996 saw something Venaglia had not counted on: the evacuation of the town due to a wildfire in San Cristóbal. The blaze consumed 7,000+ acres but never reached Red River. Residents returned after two days and they were hungry.
The doors at Capo’s have been open now for 20 years, providing good food in a family-friendly atmosphere year-round. Over the years Venaglia has made many improvements to the facility and has been a constant supporter of the Town of Red River, local Chamber of Commerce, civic organizations and the Red River Valley Charter School, throwing a free pizza party for students and staff at the end of every school year.