Located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains in Colorado’s Sunbelt, Pagosa Springs is a town known for its natural beauty, lakes and rivers and the hot springs from which the town draws its name. But there is more to Pagosa Springs than the blessings of nature. A small town with a large appeal, Pagosa Springs is home to a thriving foodie community that is influenced by international flavors but specifically to Southwest Colorado.
And when you’re looking for the right home base from which to explore all the foodie options Pagosa Springs has to offer, look no further than our Pagosa Springs hotel, where we offer a convenient location next to the River Walk and San Juan River within easy walking of some of the best dining that our Southwest Colorado Community has to offer.
Pagosa Springs Restaurants: A smorgasbord of exceptionally local international flavors
When visiting Pagosa Springs, you’ll find a wide variety of flavors including local delicacies like green chiles, wild game and locally raised lamb, goat, and even yak. Our local restaurants pride themselves on providing Colorado-based dining experiences that highlight all the tastes that the San Juan Mountains have to offer. People from all over the country, all over the world make their way to our part of Southwest Colorado and they bring with them the flavors of their heritage. Sometimes, you’ll find a creative mix of local, national and international while other times they stay authentic to their own traditions. Either way, it makes for a thriving, ever-changing culinary scene that is sure to amaze, wonder and delight foodies from wherever they may roam.
That combination of true Southwest Colorado flavors – developed by native peoples and Spanish settlers and generations of ranchers – with the traditions of the people who have found their way home to Pagosa, makes for a tantalizing culinary culture.
Riff Raff on the Rio
274 Pagosa Street, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 . In addition to the classic flavors, you’d expect from any restaurant serving American fare, the Rio offers options to tempt those seeking a one-of-a-kind Colorado mountain dining experience all within an easy walk from the hotel. From the hors d’ oeuvres menu, diners can choose from several options including the Grilled Achiote Shrimp – eight savory shrimp marinated in achiote seasoning with mojo de ajo garlic sauce and cilantro slaw or the Rio Tacos, perfectly prepared street tacos in a variety of flavors. They also offer classics from the North like Wisconsin Cheese Curds which can be served with the Canadian Poutine, and sandwich choices range from a classic beef burger to a brisket or pulled pork. If you want to get something unique to the region, try the Himalayan Mountain Meatloaf Sandwich. It’s locally raised Yak with local tequila chorizo sausage, spicy “beerbq” sauce and cotija cheese sprinkles. It’s the perfect way to refill the tank after a day of exploring the mountains.
Alley House Grille
214 Pagosa St, Pagosa Spring, CO 81147
Located in a restored 1912 Cottage, the Alley House Grille is a more elegant dining experience. Here, you will find sophisticated classics like steak, shrimp scallops and sea bass alongside entrees that capture a glimpse of Colorado’s wilder side. These options include a grilled bison ribeye, an elk tenderloin or stuffed quail – two quail stuffed with mushroom wild rice and boursin, mixed berry beurre rouge, garlic chive whipped mushed potatoes and baby roasted carrots. But don’t think this carefully cultivated experience is a little too elegant. The Alley House keeps it casual as well with a variety of artisan pizza offerings as well. Whether you prefer elegant dining or something a little more casual, you’ll find a world-class dining experience at the Alley House.
Kip’s Grill and Cantina
121 Pagosa St. Pagosa Springs, CO
On the Kip’s Grill website, the drinks – a variety of margaritas and beer - come first but in the real world, Kip’s dining options deserve equal billing. Kip’s focuses on the classics – a variety of Baja Style Street Tacos, apps and a couple of sandwich options as well as some hot dogs and brats. For something with a unique Colorado flavor try the roasted green chiles – stuffed with cheese and served with tortillas and salsa or buffalo or elk burger made to order. The taco options are classic, barbacoa, fish, chicken and shrimp but you can’t go wrong with the Dos Dynamite Diablos – Roasted Hatch Green chilies stuffed with cheese and sirloin. Diabolically delicious.
Meander Riverside Eatery
358 E Pagosa St, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
This upscale Farm-to-Table Restaurant is located just down E. Pagosa Street from the RiverWalk Inn. With a seasonally driven menu, featuring local ingredients, the Meander is a memorable mountain dining experience. The sample menu online highlights locally available flavors ranging from pork loin and ribs to Copper River Sockeye Salmon or Cast Iron Chicken. Starters options include a Bangas Tomato Tart, Rohwers Crispy Okra Chaat or a Cold Udon Noodle Bowl.
Mountain Pizza & Taproom
175 Pagosa St, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
With a location in Pagosa Springs and another in South Fork, Mountain Pizza is doing the good work of bringing Artisan Brick Oven Pizza to our little corner of South Colorado. Each pizza is handmade with dough that has aged at least 24-hours. Pizzas are built to your pick your sauce, cheese, meats and/or veggies and baked at 800-degrees in the Taproom’s brick oven. Some of the best pizza around!
Pagosa Springs Food Trucks
There’s more to the culinary life in Pagosa Springs than traditional sit-down restaurants. The food truck scene in Pagosa Springs is top notch.
Ritual Pagosa
The menu changes at this food truck devoted to fresh and flavorful offerings that can range from lobster rolls to Banh Mi, even brunch options when the mood and availability strike. Currently, the chicken spiedie – chicken cooked on a skewer then served on a hoagie roll is a popular choice, but the truth is you can’t go wrong with any of the options. The options are fresh and creative as the jalapeno peach quinoa salad attests. Check out their Facebook page for the latest updates on menu and hours.
Meltdown on Main
Specialty grilled cheese shop. Need we say any more? We will. This grilled cheese food truck – which parks at 257 Pagosa Street – serves a variety of specialty grilled cheese sandwiches, waffle fries and soups. You can play it relatively safe with the Meltdown – triple stacked with choice of three cheeses on sourdough – or go all out with the Ghost – smoked meatloaf on sourdough topped with Roma tomatoes, romaine BBQ sauce and ghost pepper jack cheese. Whatever you choose, it’s going to be an ooey-gooey delight. The truck is open Friday-Sunday… “except when we’re not.”
Southern Eats
Setting up shop In the East Side Market – right across the street from the RiverWalk Inn, Southern Eatz serves up fried chicken, fried pork chops, a burger or sausage just like somebody’s grandmother back in the Deep South would have made. Open Thursday through Sunday don’t forget to cap your meal with the lemon icebox pie.
Lonchera Don Jose
Another East Side Market option is this authentic Mexican Food Truck. With a full menu of tacos, tortas and burritos, Lonchera Don Jose – owned and operated by Andriana Pina – is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The shrimp tacos are especially delightful. Daily specials can include flautas, menudo, or pork ribs in green salsa.
Markets
Of course, being a foodie isn’t just about eating what others make. Each Saturday from mid-June to mid-September, the Pagosa Springs Farmers’ Market is open at 191 East Pagosa Street. The market is home to local farms and gardens from Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County as well as regional farms in the Four Corners area. At the market, you can find almost all the makings for a locally sourced meal like fresh locally grown produce as well as meats and breads.
It’s the perfect place to stop before taking your portable grill up to your favorite picnic spot for a scenic cookout. It’s a place where you can buy fresh, local ingredients to go with your catch of the day from the San Juan River.
Also be sure to check out the East Side Market and Food Court where local vendors gather selling a wide variety of items. Food trucks and live music help add to the atmosphere as you shop for organic produce, homemade bread, Hatch Chile spice blends and more. During market days you will likely find a variety of flavors extending beyond the food trucks listed in the section above. Both markets are also great for shopping and exploring non-foodie options as well. You’ll find everything from local art to locally produced wool and thread.
Planning Your Foodie Adventure in Pagosa Springs
When you come to Pagosa Springs we want you to be able to savor the flavors that make the Pagosa Springs culinary scene so vibrant. Here are some tips for foodies who come to our little piece of the Four Corners region.
1. Be colorful: If there is a foodie credo, it must involve seeking out vibrant colorful food. What is pleasing to the eye is often pleasing to the palate. And the color of Pagosa Springs is green. Our mountain cooking is famous for its use of green chilis with their smoky, bold flavors and giving the cuisine a unique Southwestern Colorado kick.
2. Differentiate between heat and spice: Located so close to the New Mexico border, we in Pagosa Springs get the best of both worlds. The Hatch Chile, which is more prevalent in New Mexico, isn’t typically as hot a jalapeno. However, the Pueblo Chilies – which are preferred in Colorado – are hotter and bolder than the Hatch varieties. If you want spice and flavor, but not heat, ask about the menu offerings before placing your order.
3. Plan ahead but be flexible: There are a lot of foodie options in Pagosa and while you may identify a handful of musts, it’s important to be ready to adjust. A popular food truck may run out of your favorite item – or not open at all because of the weather. There might be a long wait at the Alley House Grille but walk-in seating at the Rio. You can’t know in advance exactly what your trip is going to look like so be ready to adjust on the fly.
4. Cook local and seasonal: Life in the high elevation mountains of Colorado is different than it is down where most of the rest of the country lives. Even in our warmest months, the highs only get to the 80s. So don’t expect the Farmers Market to have the same things you have back home at the same time you have them. Sure, we have greenhouses but the seasons here are different. Don’t let that be a hinderance. Let it be an opportunity. Explore local seasonal options that may not be what you’d have back home.
When you come to the mountains, whether it’s for the outdoor life, the hot springs or the foodie culture, there’s no better place to stay than with us at our Pagosa Springs hotel.
Book your stay with us today!