Inside underground diner 200ft down in ancient CAVE bought by poker player who thought he’d struck gold…but it was rust
THIS extraordinary diner is located 210 feet underground – after a poker player thought he’d struck gold but was left empty-handed.
To get to this restaurant, you’ll need to take an elevator down into a 345-million-year-old cave network that stretches 60 miles across the Grand Canyon in the US.
Back in 1927, a gambler named Walter Peck first discovered the unique cave on his way to a poker night.
The Santa Fe Railroad worker fell off his house after finding an eight-foot hole in the middle of a trail.
Peck continued his journey to the game but later returned to the spot to learn more about the absurd hole.
It is said that he thought underneath the ground would be mine full of treasure.
The next morning, Peck came along with three other people who lowered him down the hole.
After reaching the bottom, he found himself in the middle of a large, dark cavern.
With a coal oil lantern, he explored the spot and thought he had struck a huge gold mine.
He then bought the entire 800 acres of land surrounding the cave.
But little did he know what seemed gold to him was actually iron oxide and selenite crystals.
Famous tour guide Ron Pritchard told Arizona Highways TV: “What it all adds up to is we have one of the largest quantities of the most worthless material in Arizona.”
THE NATURAL WONDER
The Grand Canyon Caverns were formed over millions of years when rainwater started seeping into the limestone and created connecting passageways and cavities.
Over time, mild acids and other natural solutions came along with the rainwater that dissolved soft limestone and created more pathways.
Eventually, when conditions changed and rainwater stopped pouring in, these cavities were left to dry and the evaporation process forced to crate beautiful formations inside the cave – which Peck seemingly mistook for precious metals.
But thanks to his discovery, now visitors can explore the cave’s sprawling innards while having a meal.
THE RESTAURANT
Known as the Caverns Grotto, the four-table eatery offers simple American comfort meals, but the food voyage is not so simple.
It is cooked at ground level and is sent to the cave in an elevator.
It is then hoisted on a pulley 25 feet in the air to the raised wooden platform which forms the dining room.
Diners enjoy 360-degree views of the largest known chamber in the cave network.
The caves are so deep beneath the Earth’s surface that absolutely no outside sound reaches the chambers, apart from the conversations made by other diners.
There is also the Grand Caverns & Inn – a unique hotel where explorers can spend some time living the enriching experience.