(keep reading to learn what happened)
Season: 8 | View All Season 8 Episodes
Original Episode Air Date: July 11, 2021
The Bar's Original Name Was: VFW Post 10054
VFW Post 10054 Address: 4651 Homestead Rd Pahrump, NV 89048
Episode Recap
VFW Post 10054 was a Pahrump, Nevada bar that was featured on Season 8 of Bar Rescue.
Though the VFW Post 10054 Bar Rescue episode aired in July 2021, the actual filming and visit from Jon Taffer took place a few months before that in April 2021.
It was Season 8 Episode 8 and the episode name was “A Commander & His Post”.
VFW Post 10054 is in Pahrump, Nevada, and opened in 1979.
Unlike most of the bars that appear on Bar Rescue, VFW Post 10054 is not a for-profit organization.
Instead, it’s a non-profit that serves veterans of foreign wars (which is where VFW comes from).
The VFW’s primary focus is recruiting new members.
Many members and locals visit VFW Post 10054 to gamble there.
Marty Aguiar is the post commander of the VFW.
Marty is a veteran of the US Navy who served in the military for thirty years.
He is very committed to his role as post commander.
Sadly, when the pandemic occurred, many of the older members of VFW Post 10054 passed away.
Other members have not been able to visit the post because they have an increased risk of catching an illness.
Sue, Marty’s wife, has been diagnosed with leukemia, so his second command, Steve, has stepped us as the leader.
BBQ expert Kevin Bludso joins Jon Taffer to help rescue the post.
Kevin’s brother, who passed away, was a veteran of the Marines.
The cooks are making tacos in the kitchen, but Kevin is unhappy with how they are being made.
Jon tells Kevin that locals can patronize this VFW because of the gambling.
The bartender is overpouring and making drinks that are too sweet.
The bar area is falling apart and is in neglect.
Jon Taffer enters the VFW and talks with Marty.
A long-time guest of the VFW talks to Jon and says they need to recruit younger members.
Jon says for them to recruit members, everything has to be high quality, and now they aren’t cutting it.
Steve also meets Jon, who says he is committed to fixing things so he can run this post.
The following day Jon returns and meets with the employees.
Many of the staff members are veterans or have family members who served.
Smoking is permitted inside the building, and Jon thinks they will garner new members if they ban it.
He also believes that younger patrons will come if they modernize their music choices and menu items.
Kevin is introduced, as is Alex Goode, a mixologist.
There is a Lang smoker outside which Kevin uses to make a brisket.
The kitchen is also supplied with six months of dry rub from Kevin.
Alex trains the bartenders on simple cocktails and a margarita with a twist.
Customers come into the bar for the stress test, and they are automatically overwhelmed as Jon is simulating a crowded evening.
Customers order food in one location where it is written down by hand, and then someone brings it to the kitchen.
There is a long line of people forming waiting to order food.
Steve is helping in the bar and the kitchen to get things moving.
The stress test is a success, and Jon shuts it down.
At the bar the next day, Alex continues training the bartenders on different drink recipes, and Kevin shows the cooks a BBQ nachos recipe.
Marty and Steve meet and work to improve their communication.
While all of that is happening, the construction team renovates the bar for over thirty-six hours.
Everyone gathers to see the newly designed bar.
The room now has warmer lighting, and the walls have been painted.
The staff will no longer have to write food orders because Jon has given them POS systems.
Perfect Fry has also gifted a fryer for the kitchen.
The relaunch begins, and bartenders make drinks confidently.
The smoking area has been moved outside, and young customers visit.
The customers enjoy their food as it comes out warm and fast from the kitchen.
Jon Taffer leaves, saying goodbye to Marty and Steve.
Marty feels better now, taking a step back to care for his wife and letting Steve run things.
So was the VFW Pahrump Bar Rescue visit a long-term success? Keep reading to learn what happened next and if it’s still open in 2024.
VFW Post 10054 Update - What Happened Next?
Now that we’ve recapped the VFW Post 10054 Bar Rescue visit, let’s talk about what happened to the post after Jon Taffer and his crew left Pahrump, NV.
First, let’s cover the most important question on your mind…
Is VFW Post 10054 from Bar Rescue still open?
As of 2023, VFW Post 10054 is still open and serving veterans in Pahrump, NV.
Steve is now the official commander and it seems like Marty has indeed stepped back. I hope he’s doing well.
The Post is very active on Facebook, regularly posting events and such.
It seems like the post also got a brand new floor renovation in October 2022.
Here’s an example of a post from social media:
If you want to learn more, there’s also an official VFW Post 10054 website.
And then here’s what the VFW Post 10054 Pahrump NV location looks like in the most recent picture from Google Maps street view:
Unlike a for-profit bar, there aren’t really a lot of customer reviews to gauge how the post is doing.
However, what few Yelp reviews exist do seem to speak highly of the post.
The only thing I’ve seen criticized on Yelp and in social media is that the Post can get a little smoky, which bothers some non-smokers.
Here are a few examples…
5 star Yelp review from August 2021:
One of the best Sunday breakfasts in town.
They are re-modeling the kitchen and will be down for about 2 weeks we found out today, but after that you must give them a try.
They also do a Friday nite special, we are waiting for the next Fish Fry.
We are all x smokers and really never noticed the smoke and we always sit in the bar.
You want to smell smoke go to a meal at a Casino. LOL.
4 star Yelp review from January 2022:
Great food at a great price.
We’ve been for breakfast (totally recommend the steak or chicken fried steak and eggs).
We’ve also been for taco Tuesday and the chimichanga is awesome!!!
Very friendly volunteers helping with orders and bringing out food.
Cafeteria / church firming hall- type feel, but we haven’t ventured into the patio.
Great prices!
5 star Yelp review from June 2021:
Good was good. The staff was great.
Breakfast for two was $15 total.
Threw on two Bloody Mary’s from the bar for $2.25 each.
Really nice deal for under $20.
The only negative was that it really smoky in both sides (bar side and food service side).
Would have liked to hang for a bit, but the smoke was too much.
Maybe if outside is an option later in the season it might be better.
Overall, the post seems to still be doing well, which is great to see.
Marty has officially stepped down as post commander and Steven, who you saw in the episode, is now in charge.
If you want to see some other VFW posts that were featured on Bar Rescue, check out my VFW Post 6216 Albuquerque update or my VFW Post 9644 Sheridan CO update.
If you want to see a for-profit bar from the oddly named Pahrump, NV, you can read my Paddy’s Pub / Pat’s Courtyard update.
And if you want to share your thoughts on VFW Post 10054 and/or the episode, you can use the comments section below.
Thanks for reading!
More Information
https://www.yelp.com/biz/vfw-post-10054-pahrumphttps://www.facebook.com/VFWPOST10054/
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Last updated: 2023-05-27 08:42
I’m viewing the Bar Rescue episode at VFW Post 10054. I never dreamed that Mr Taffer could help to save a post. My neighbor post is in dire need of help to save it! How would I go about contacting Mr. Taffer for consideration?
Found this online
https://jontaffer.com/contact/
I just saw the episode on TV, and I thought it was inspiring. I am happy that VFW Post 10054 got rescued, they truly deserved it.
I hope they are able to keep up with all of the improvements and continue running for many more years.
Strange that they repainted the front of the building covering the blue that Taffer’s people added. There’s also no mention of BBQ expert Kevin Bludso or any of his brisket or BBQ on their current menu/website. What a wasted/squandered opportunity. I hope Sue is doing well though.
Hi Bob,
This is Sue! Yes, I am doing well. My chemo meds are keeping the cancer in check. Praying that will continue to be the case the rest of my life. I am back behind the bar and working again at the VFW. Kevin Bludso was amazing and an incredible human being. We are friends on Facebook and will come and visit us again in Pahrump and we will make him proud. The VFW does do brisket and smoked meats but for special occasions. Bludso’s brisket nachos are our signature dish! In fact we have had a wedding and our National President came to visit and we served Bludso’s brisket nachos. Remember we are all volunteers and 14 hours on the smoker is a long time for Marty to be cooking. We do a lot of smoking in the spring and fall when the weather is appropriate. We did not repaint the front of the building, still blue. We are grateful for the Bar Rescue team and continue to work hard for our veterans. Thank you Jon Taffer for choosing #10054. Bob’s your Uncle, come visit us anytime at the VFW, we would be happy to have you!
I don’t understand why people are complaining about smoke. I thought the special blue machine & a smoking area outside was to fix the problem.