In the heat of the summer, there is nothing quite like sippin' margs and eating fish tacos at an ocean-side restaurant... can I get an amen?! As I am sure you are well aware, there aren't any oceans in Colorado, but that doesn't mean we don't have any beachfront restaurants, like this delicious option that you will want to add to your summer to-do list:
Located along the shores of Lake Dillon lies the beautiful Pug Ryan's Lakeside Tiki Bar, which has been named (and rightly so!) one of Sunset Magazine's best decks in the western US AND "One of the Top 5 Beach Bars in Colorado" by the Denver Post!
Overlooking Dillon Marina, Pug Ryan's is North America's highest Tiki Bar, and is home to not only a fun and upbeat atmosphere, but also seaside scenes that are unique to Colorado...
Pug Ryan's Lakeside Tiki Bar is located at 150 Marina Dr. in Dillon and is open daily from mid-May through mid-September from 11:30 am to sunset. For more information on the menu and more, please visit Pug Ryan's website.
If you're headed east on I-70 to Kansas or are coming back into our great state from there and find yourself hungry, then you're going to love The Dish Room in Burlington, Colorado. This local eatery offers handcrafted cuisine with farm to table ingredients in an upscale casual atmosphere. This is one of the best-rated restaurants on the Eastern Plains and you'll be amazed at the incredible food served here. This spot seems like it would be right at home in any of Denver's hippest neighborhoods, but it also fits right in in this welcoming and small town of around 3,000 residents. Read on to learn more about this special restaurant and be sure to stop in next time you're in the far eastern part of the state.
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You're going to love The Dish Room! This restaurant ranked 14th on a list of the Top 25 Hidden Gem Restaurants in the nation in TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards. Once you dine at The Dish Room, it's easy to see why.
Everything served here is spectacular, though, and is as pretty to look at as it is good to eat. There are lunch specials every day of the week, like this Shrimp Primavera. It's served in a parmesan cream sauce with veggies and garlic bread.
You don't often think you'll find perfect fish on the Eastern Plains. This Seared Ahi Tuna Steak served over long grain rice with rustic vegetables is topped with blood orange and wasabi, and it's as good as anything you'll get near the ocean.
Or, if you want something with a surf and turf feel, maybe this 12oz Ribeye which is served on a bed of crispy rice noodles, and is topped with teriyaki glazed shrimp & pineapple pomegranate salsa will be more your style.
The Dish Room in Burlington, Colorado is a rural restaurant that's absolutely worth a stop, and it's so good that it may even be worth the nearly three-hour drive from Denver metro! Don't miss this fantastic restaurant. You're going to love everything about it.
If you find yourself hungry and near Crested Butte, don't miss Gas Cafe One Stop. You may be hesitant to dine at a gas station, but trust us when we tell you that you will undoubtedly be impressed by this amazing deli. It makes some of the very best breakfasts, burgers, and sandwiches in the area, and you're going to be glad that you made the stop. While you're there, you can also fill up on gas! Read on to learn more about this special little place.
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Gas Cafe One Stop is inside a gas station in beautiful Crested Butte Colorado.
This deli serves breakfast until 11:30 daily. There are eight different breakfast sandwiches from which to choose, and you're sure to have a challenging time choosing from among them.
The lunch and dinner menu is even more amazing. Hot sandwiches include options like a BBQ beef sandwich, the Groovin' Reuben, a chicken parmesan sandwich, the Turkey Mojo, a chicken or steak philly, or others.
You can also direct them to make a cold sandwich to your liking with the meats and cheeses they have on hand if you prefer.
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The Clucker is one of Gas Cafe One Stop's most popular items. It's fried chicken tenders, cheese, and your choice of toppings. The chicken is fried to perfection!
The burgers are made with locally-raised beef. There are four different burgers on the menu from which to choose, and you can get add-ons to each of them if you want more!
The Spicy Cowboy is a popular option at Gas Cafe One Stop. It's a beef burger, onion rings, spicy BBQ sauce, and pepper jack cheese on a kaiser roll. Yum!
Have a seat at one of the tables outside to enjoy your meal, or take it with you on the road. You're going to love Gas Cafe One Stop. It's worth a visit to Crested Butte, even if you weren't planning to go there otherwise!
Gas Cafe One Stop is perhaps the very best restaurant located inside a gas station in all of Colorado. Have you been there before? What do you think? Most people who visit this unique deli go back time and time again. If you haven't been there yet - check it out - and it's likely that you will, too.
Looking for a great place to stay in Crested Butte? Check out VRBO.com for exciting deals on vacation rentals in this beautiful part of the state and beyond!
