We are a week away from the biggest summertime event in North Park this year! The 84th annual Never Summer Rodeo! We’ve got amateur and CPRA rodeo events happening all weekend at the Fairgrounds, along with street dances, live music, good food, and great times you won’t want to miss. It’s a great way to get started celebrating 250 years of our nation’s independence and 150 years of Colorado’s statehood! 

Rodeo weekend is also the time of year when the sons and daughters of North Park return home for class reunions, remembering the old times, and showing off their hometown to the next generation. 

Over the last year we’ve had a lot of changes, especially with places to eat in Walden. So if you are stopping by or a long-time visitor, here’s everything you need to know about where to eat in North Park!

Best Places to Eat in Walden, CO 

Whether you are passing through or a local looking for the best place to eat nearby in Walden, we’ve got you covered! We’ve got a few newcomers, so be sure to update your navigation app to finding the places the locals love!

For Rodeo Weekend Only

BBQ!: Stop by in front of the Stockman Bar and Grill during the Never Summer Jam! for the best BBQ in Walden. It’s a great place to check your appetite before the street dance and to fill your stomach before enjoying some adult libations, some live music, and all the other events going on Friday and Thursday evening in downtown Walden.

Oyster fry: The local FFA is hosting a Rocky Mountain Oyster fry at the Jackson County Fairgrounds on Sunday morning. If you haven’t tried this western delicacy you are in for a treat! Once a staple of ranching households (every part of the cow gets used except the moo!), oysters are less common now, and you’ll wonder why once you’ve tried them. Proceeds go to supporting the Future Farmers of America in North Park.

Best Restaurants in Walden and Beyond!

You’ll see some familiar names but also some new ones in Walden nowadays. Try them all out, find your favorite, and leave a review on Yelp! to help support local businesses.

Zirkel Mountain Pies

Now under new ownership and total refit of Four Winds Pizza, Zirkel Mountain Pies is much more than a pizza place. They are a family friendly gastronomic destination for locals and travellers alike. They’ve got hundreds of combinations of toppings for pizza from thin crust to thick, hot sandwiches, gyros, cold beer, and even ice cream. You’ll stop for the food and stay for the axe-throwing, local vibe, and friendly service! Stop by on the corner of 5th and Main Street in Walden. Free street parking and parking behind the historic Mossman Store is available. 

Rita’s Cafe

Rita’s Cafe serves up a collaboration of favorites from Mexican and American food. From huevos rancheros to biscuits and gravy and Belgian waffles.  Rita’s Cafe serves comfort food, delicious breakfasts, and a mixture of local cuisine and international flavors. The fully-loaded carne asada baked potato is a local favorite as are the queso birria tacos. From healthy choices such as the grilled chicken salad to the more decadent home-made cinnamon rolls and breakfast burritos, you’ll want to check out Rita’s Cafe at 150 Main Street in Walden, CO. 

El Torro Food Truck

Bringing an authentic Mexican food truck experience to Walden, you can’t go wrong with El Torro. Parked on the corner of 5th and Main Street in Walden, CO you’ll find a wide range of street tacos, burritos, and cold soft drinks at great prices. El Torro takes cash and credit cards and makes for some quick and delicious eats for when you are on the go.

Mis Tres Reyes

On the southwest corner of 5th and Main Street in Walden, you’ll find our newest Mexican restaurant in Jackson county. Mis Tres Reyes serves up a sit-down meal as well as a small market for fresh meats and produce next door. With menu items from rellenos and soups to grilled steaks and even seafood, you’ll wonder where this place has been hiding your whole life. Stop for a while and eat or call (970) 723-0073 and order to go!

River Rock Cafe

Located on the ground floor of the Antlers Inn on the west side of Main Street in downtown Walden, the River Rock has been a local favorite for the last two decades. With a sit down environment and a no-frills menu, it has been serving up Americana comfort food, prime rib dinners, and hot sandwiches to locals and visitors alike for years. Order a cocktail while you wait and enjoy a cross-section of local character and charm at the River Rock. Close to shops and festivities going on all summer long!

The Stockman Bar and Grill

As the longest working bar and grill in North Park, the Stockman is the epicenter of local nightlife, in Walden. From colorful locals to bikers, bicyclists, backpackers, and hikers, the Stockman has been there for anybody who was thirsty and stopped in town for a cold adult beverage. They also have a full menu of appetizers, pub food, karaoke, horseshoes, and live music depending on the night. 

Just about every good story that happened in Walden starts with “I was at the Stockman” and you’ll see why. The Never Summer Jam! is hosted by the Stockman Bar and Grill, bringing out the finest in western culture and hospitality during Rodeo Weekend. This year check out the lineup of live music, food, and fun in Walden here!

Outside of Walden

The Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Jackson county. You’ll find the Howling Coyote 22 miles southeast of Walden, CO in the village of Gould, near the Colorado State Forest State Park entrance and Moose Visitor Center. It’s a great place to stop when you have had enough of roughing it on your camping trip, or if you want to experience a vast menu of authentic Mexican cuisine. 

Under new management by the same folks at the Powderhorn Campground and Cabins in Gould, you’ll feel like you were taken care of right and made to feel at home when you are far away. Experience mountain nightlife at its finest at the Howling Coyote!

We’ve Made Some Changes Around Here You Won’t Want to Miss

Life moves a little slower up in the mountains of Colorado. A drive through Walden ten years ago might look like just about every other since on the surface. In the last year, we’ve seen plenty of changes. The 10th Frame Bowling Alley, Four Winds Pizza, and other local places to eat have either changed management or closed their doors forever. We are sad to see them go, but looking forward to what comes next.

So please stop by and support local family-owned businesses, leave your reviews, and spread the word about some great things that are taking root in our little mountain community this Rodeo Weekend. We hope to see you there!

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