Best Restaurants for Lunch in Salida, CO

There is nothing like a delicious meal and a cold drink after a morning of playing in the mountains and Salida has plenty to choose from! Here are a few of our favorites....

Poncha Pub $ - Poncha Pub is our go-to sandwich and lunch spot. With traditional deli sandwiches done extremely well, it's a great place to pick up lunch to take with you on your adventures. The pub also offers beer (duh), pizzas and specials like pulled pork. The restaurant is pickle-themed so it's a fun place to visit! The outdoor patio is lovely in the warmer months.

129 W. Sackett Ave, Salida, CO 81201

Crossroads Cafe $ - This is a great casual restaurant recently converted from a popular food truck. The owner is usually taking orders and you'll get special treatment if you've been to any of the shows featured in the posters around the restaurant. This might not be the ideal spot for a vegetarian (although they do have a veggie burger), but if you are a meat-lover, prepare to be impressed! The burgers feature creative toppings and are cooked to perfection. If you are lucky enough to visit on rib day you will be treated to a huge plate of smokey, fall-off-the-bone goodness. Everything on the menu is great, don't miss out on a delicious and generous basket of fries to go with your meal.

142 West Rainbow Boulevard, Salida, Colorado

Tacos el Tapatio $ - One of our favorite restaurants in town, we find ourselves at Tacos el Tapatio frequently for lunch hour. Wolf down some great chips and salsa while you wait for a platter of tacos or a burrito. You can mix and match tacos and order as many as you'd like so this is a great option for any appetite level. We love the carnitas, chorizo, and adobada tacos with a side of rice and beans.

Full service restaurant: 136 E 2nd street, Salida, CO, CO 81201

Food truck: 1070 E Rainbow Blvd, Salida CO 81201 (near the Colorado Sports Recycler)

Food Truck at Soulcraft Brewing $ - We are always tempted by a cold craft brew, so we find ourselves at Soulcraft all the time. The food truck at the brewery has great options for after-hike snacks or a full hearty lunch. I love the Gyro and Mike usually gets the burger. Visiting our local breweries for lunch is a great way to avoid the downtown lunch crowd and hit the breweries before they get busy in the late afternoon/evening. And did we mention.... delicious beer?!

248 W. Rainbow Blvd, Salida, CO 81201

Food Truck at Elevation Brewing $ - Okay, yeah, we spend a lot of time at breweries! The food truck at Elevation is another favorite lunch spot, it has a small menu, but each item is delicious. I particularly love the vegetarian nachos which are smothered in a cheese sauce and topped with a huge helping of roasted vegetables. Yum! Mike usually gets the Phatty Melt or a burger. The beer here is top-notch, with a selection of options for every type of beer. We are not big IPA drinkers, so we are always extra happy when a brewery has a few options on the lighter side.

115 Pahlone Pkwy, Poncha Springs 81242

The Hunger Trailer $ - A perfect stop on your way to Monarch Mountain or hiking in Maysville! Order at the window, and choose from plenty of indoor and outdoor seating options while you wait for your food. The menu has a surprising variety of pub food, BBQ, and creole food. We both love the shrimp po' boy, but switch it up with the burger or chicken sandwich if we aren't in the mood for fried food.

10520 Highway 50 and 285, Poncha Springs, CO

Sweetie's Sandwich Shop $ - Sweetie's is a fantastic sandwich shop with choices for every diet and taste. Fresh baked bread sandwiches thick cuts of meat, generous helpings of fresh veggies and a variety of delicious sauces. My favorites is the "Last Crusade" - turkey, bacon, avocado, cheddar, garlic aioli, chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomato & onion on sourdough. Sticking to his caveman tastes, Mike usually goes for the meat-heavy "Rocky Balboa" - Smoked ham, pepperoni, salami, garlic aioli, roasted red peppers and provolone on a baguette. Don't forget to grab something sweet for after lunch - one of the owner's is a trained pastry chef and her treats are simply divine!

129 W. Sackett Ave, Salida, CO 81201

Stoke BBQ -

In the building that once held Wallbangers, Stoke has entered the Salida scene with a bang! Not only does the restaurant features the first BBQ focused menu in the area, but it has also become a busy live music venue. The interior of the building was completely remodeled and has a great modern rustic aesthetic to go with the professional stage. The creators are the same folks who own the popular restaurant Amica's. Check their calendar to catch a show next time you are in the area.

720 US-50, Salida, CO 81201