Food & Drink

Once again Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse tops the Locals Choice list this year for Best Restaurant in Glenwood Springs. But that’s not all, it also took top honors for Best Salad, Best Dessert, Best Steak Dinner, Best American Cuisine, Best Lunch Special and Best Dinner Special.

The fine-dining spot with a casual flair also shines with excellent service. Owners David and Cece Zumwinkle say the secret to their success is top quality ingredients, especially their aged beef.

Its array of desserts is enough to please any palate, including crème brûlé concocted with Grand Marnier liqueur, with a glossy caramelized crust.

Zumwinkle is also justifiably proud of his salads. The most popular is the Seventh Street salad made with honey and poppy seed vinaigrette dressing and served with strawberries, crumbled Gorgonzola blue cheese and honey-roasted walnuts rolled in spices.

The restaurant uses local products such as natural Colorado Rocky Mountain elk raised at the Porter Ranch in New Castle.

Other Finalists Best Restaurant in Glenwood: Rivers, Tequila’s



Best Restaurant in Rifle

Brickyard Square opened two years ago and is now the central place of Rifle night life and fine dining.

Other Finalists: Sammy’s on Park Avenue, Creekbend



Best Restaurant in Carbondale

Russets, voted Carbondale’s favorite, is a fine neighborhood restaurant and bar serving everything from filet mignon to hormone-free burgers, wild salmon and chicken gumbo.

Other Finalists: Six89, Village Smithy



Best Restaurant in El Jebel/Basalt

When it comes to breakfast, Breakfast in America is king of the region.

Other Finalists: Blue Creek Grill, El Korita



Best Restaurant in Parachute/Battlement Mesa

Sunrise Scramble, in Parachute, is like eating at your mom’s, great homemade everything in a homey atmosphere.

Other Finalists: Outlaw, White Buffalo



Best Restaurant in Silt

It’s no surprise that two Christian Harra-owned restaurants are gold medal winners. The Miner’s Claim was Harra’s first restaurant in the valley and is still a favorite eatery.

Other Finalist: Wagonwheel



Best Restaurant in New Castle

Top of the heap in New Castle is the Elk Creek Mining Co., a local gathering spot with great beer on tap and an excellent prime rib special that won’t put a hole in your wallet.

Other Finalists: Hogback Pizza, New Castle Diner



Best Breakfast Special

Perennial favorite is Rosi’s Little Bavarian Restaurant in Glenwood Springs, with its Swiss specialties including strudel, fluffy waffles and great American fare.

Other Finalists: Village Smithy, 19th Street Diner



Best Lunch Special

Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse

Other Finalists: China Town, 19th Street Diner



Best Dinner Special

Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse

Other Finalists: Rivers, Buffalo Valley



Best Bakery

Mmm, smell the cinnamon buns and coffee! Maple Table serves up mouth-watering baked goods in a cozy setting.

Other Finalists: Delice, The Daily Bread



Best Italian Restaurant

Once again locals chose the Italian Underground. Also a favorite with visitors, the local eatery in the basement of the Silver Spur building is right beside the Grand Avenue Bridge.

Other Finalists: Florindos, Bella Mia



Best Mexican Restaurant

With many fine Mexican restaurants abounding in our area the choice was tough, but Tequila’s scored above the rest. Friendly service and food like Mamacita used to make, plus a huge variety of tequilas are a recipe for success. Tequila’s also won for the Best Margarita, Best Chips and Salsa.

Other Finalists: Fiesta Guadalajara, Dos Hombres



Best Asian Restaurant

Newcomer JH Chen opened last year to rave reviews for its hip decor and fine Chinese and Japanese cuisine.

Other Finalists: China Town, Zheng



Best American Cuisine

Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse

Other Finalists: Glenwood Canyon Brewing Co., The Riviera



Best Coffee

Starbuck’s scored the gold with locals this year for its rich blends and tempting menu of espressos and cappuccinos.

Other Finalists: Sacred Grounds, Xpresso



Best Bloody Mary

Locals voted the Happy Hour hangout and fine dining restaurant Rivers as having the best blend of vodka, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce and lemon.

Other Finalists: Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse, 19th Street Diner



Best Pizza

White House Pizza in Carbondale got the gold this year with its homemade, downhome-with-a-gourmet-touch pies.

Other Finalists: Russo’s, Uncle’s



Best Burger

The best burgers, so say locals, are found at Vicco’s Charcoal Burger in West Glenwood, for its bountiful servings and true charcoal-broiled taste. The hip old cruisin’ machines parked out front are an added attraction.

Other Finalists: Glenwood Canyon Brewing Co., Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse



Best French Fries

Locals told us they love McDonald’s fries, consistent and crunchy, and they go well with Mickey D’s signature burgers.

Other Finalists: Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse, Charcoal Burger



Best Salad

Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse

Other Finalists: Glenwood Canyon Brewing Co., Village Smithy



Best Ice Cream

Marble Slab breezed into town last year with a new twist on ice cream, and obviously everyone loved their homemade flavors rolled on a slab of marble to a perfect shape for the perfect cone.

Other Finalists: Kaleidoscoops, Dairy Queen



Best Desserts

Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse

Other Finalists: Rivers, Rosi’s



Best Steak Dinner

Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse

Other Finalists: The Riviera, Rivers



Best Chips and Salsa

Tequila’s — the combination of chips, salsa and the cabbage mix is an unbeatable combo.

Other Finalists: Dos Hombres, Fiesta Guadalajara