Dwayne Clark's workday begins before dawn.

He arrives at his restaurant, Davies Chuck Wagon Diner at the base of a hill at 9495 W. Colfax Ave., at 5.

Welcoming would-be diners is a 36-foot-tall sign with a cowboy, ready to serve up some vittles after a long day on the trail. A plastic horse perched over the entrance adds to the Western theme.

Once things are in order there, he goes to the Alameda location, opens that restaurant and works on the grill for a few hours for the morning rush.

"You have to know everything, " Clark said. "Most of the ones (owners) who do it all, are the successful ones."

After all is in order, he returns to the Colfax location around 1:30 or 2 p.m. to help close down the restaurant at 3 p.m.

Clark, 45, finishes the day by counting receipts, making deposits and placing orders for fresh supplies.

Clark bought Davies in 1984, and for the first 16 years, he kept it open until 11 every night. For the past 7 years, he has shut it down after the lunch service.

"It was the best thing I ever did. It saved me a life to have with my family," he said.

Dwayne met his wife, Tammy, at the diner when he hired her as a waitress in September 1986.

They had their first date in November 1986 and they were married a month later. Their 19-year-old son Michael is a student at the University of Wyoming, and Tammy still works at the diner.

Dwayne grew up in the restaurant business, working for his father at several Clark's Coffee Houses across metro Denver. When he graduated from Alameda High School, he continued in his family's tradition. In fact, his father operated a Clark's at what is now Davies Chuckwagon 2, at the intersection of Alameda Avenue and Bryant Street. Bookended by Clark ownership was Paul's Steak House, open there for more than two decades,

"My sister still works there," Clark said. "She's been there for 33 years," working at the eatery when it was Paul's too.

In the summer and fall, Clark is a linebacker and special teams football coach at Lakewood High School.

"I love coaching," Clark said. "Sometimes the players come in the restaurant say 'Hey coach.' That's neat, watching them grow up."

Opened in 1957 by William Lyman Davies, the eatery has a spot on the National Register of Historic Places combines the traditional diner with more than a bit of Route 66 flair.

Despite glowing reviews of the restaurant's chicken fried steak, the most popular item on the menu, according to Clark, is the steak and eggs. "It's been our trademark for 20 years. It's basic American food, hamburgers, shakes and sandwiches."

"A lot of older customers come in to stay in touch with the past, the good old days," Clark said. "It's the nostalgia."