6 Best Restaurants in South Central Colorado, Colorado

Locals constantly debate where to find the city's best "slopper"—an open-face burger smothered in cheese, red or green chile, and onions—but there is no question you will find an authentic Pueblo experience at this dive bar, where the dish was first served. Bikers and families converge on the large outdoor patio during the summer to devour the messy burger. Add a pile of fries to the top for the true slopper taste, and make sure to pair it all with an ice-cold Coors in honor of the building that was once a distribution center for the state’s largest brewery.

A large patio overlooking the Riverwalk beckons visitors to this brewery with unexpected, elevated pub food. Burgers, especially the slopper, are popular favorites, but the charcuterie board, green chile made with Pueblo's famous peppers, and carne asada tacos with tomato chimichurri exceed expectations. Shareable flights include 10-ounce pours of beer brewed in tanks visible in the main dining room, which doubles as an occasional concert venue. Keep an eye out for remnants of the building's former life as a police station and jail. The gun range is now the women's restroom, and the drunk tank was turned into the restaurant's dishwashing station. 

Centrally located on Main Street, Cañon City Brews and Bikes offers an extensive craft beer menu and pub food that attracts hikers, bikers, and locals alike. The massive outdoor space, with tables and a beer garden, offers a perfect place to wind down from outdoor activities.

This casual brewpub is located by South Main River Park, so after tackling the nearby miles of hiking and biking trails, dine on burgers, sandwiches, pasta, or steak, and wash it down with ales brewed on-site. Or visit its taproom location just off Route 24 where the brewing facility is housed for a wood-fired pizza, nachos, and other pub food.

Upside-down lamps hang from the ceiling and local art for purchase decks the brick walls of this downtown gastropub, where you can find a menu filled with southern comfort dishes with a dash of Asian flare. Sweet chili tartar sauce and a bed of Asian slaw level up the crispy fish-and-chips. Pulled pork covers the banh mi nachos—the star of the appetizers. And the sriracha buttermilk fried chicken adds some kick to the popular sandwich. Bartenders at a bar spanning nearly the entire length of the room mix up craft cocktails and pour a variety of craft beer. 

As its name suggests, it's all about the views of Pikes Peak, which can be appreciated from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the second-story dining room, the rooftop, or the courtyard, where you can play volleyball, bocce, horseshoes, and cornhole. Several bars offer excellent craft beer options that complement the menu's varied offerings. Sushi, sandwiches, tacos, bowls, burgers, and pizza cater to all interests with seasonal changes inspired by the kitchen. Try the Thai peanut chicken bowl or blue-crab enchiladas, and don't forget a Nutella pizza for dessert.