New Business Spotlight: 2 New Restaurants Near Me in North Park and Walden, CO
One of the charms of traveling through Walden, CO and the North Park area is the isolation. You can drive for over an hour from Walden, CO in just about any direction before hitting the next major town. That doesn’t always lend itself to finding a place to stop and eat. When you are taking a road trip, camping for the weekend, or just passing through North Park, choices have been fairly limited. Look no further in your search for “restaurants near me in Walden, CO.” Here are two new places to eat in North Park you are going to love.
The Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant
Long-time veterans of North Park probably remember it as the Cookhouse, and up until it was shuttered a few years ago, it had become the Howlin’ Coyote Inn. Now the restaurant is open again with new leadership and a different take on mountain cuisine. Locals and others who have been visiting North Park for years might already be familiar with the venue in the village of Gould, CO. Just over twenty miles from Walden on CO Hwy. 14, the Howling Coyote is a hike from Jackson County’s largest town. It just goes to show that there is a lot more going on in North Park than what is happening in Walden, CO.
What is the Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant?
The Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant is the kind of restaurant you will want to sit down and experience to give your road-weary body a rest and your taste buds a treat. The Howling Coyote features a robust menu of traditional Mexican entrees, inspired by recipes from Chihuahua, Mexico.
What’s on the Menu?
The Holwing Coyote Mexican Restaurant has a full menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Mexican food lovers will recognize many of the entrees, such as chilaquiles, hand-dipped Chile rellenos, and fajitas. Hamberguesas Mexicanas are also on the menu, along with a variety of sea food, and even hearty posole and menudo specials on the weekends.
Sit down and order a drink from the bar. The bar is stocked with everything for your favorite cocktail to domestic and imported beers. A full menu of sides, beverages, delicious entrees, and desserts are enough to entice you to come back and try something new every time.
What are Parrilladas?
Much like North Park, Chihuahua beef is raised and finished in arid inland ranching conditions. Chihuahuan cuisine is known for its mastery of beef, chicken, and pork. Parrillada comes from the method in which the meat is cooked. The slab of marinated skirt steak, chicken, pork and even shrimp is seared to perfection over open flame on a wired grill and served with grilled green onions, beans, and rice. At the Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant, parrilladas are dished out in several different ways, with each an exciting feast for all of the senses.
Meet the Owners of the Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant
Other than a few menu items at some local eateries, it has been decades since North Park has had a dedicated Mexican restaurant. Luis Gonzalez is a young entrepreneur taking on the task of revitalizing this favorite local venue with an entirely different flavor and vibe. It’s a big risk, but Luis is confident that good food and a vibrant atmosphere will keep customers coming back for more.
Luis is already familiar with bringing good food to where it is needed. You might have already met Luis and his family at the new taco truck on the corner of 5th and Main Street in Walden, CO last summer. Rolo and Luis are a father and son team, along with sister Sara, and mom Anabel who have brought Mexico to the North Park food scene in a big way.
The Howling Coyote is just the next step for this family owned and operated business. Since its grand opening at the end of November, 2023, the Gonzalez family is exited to see where all of their hard work will take them next. Luis and his family are optimistic and plan on keeping the Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant open year round for hungry travelers and locals.
Where is the Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant?
Here's what you need to know to for your next visit to the Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant:
- Location: Set your navigation app to 55278 CO State Highway 14, Gould, CO. It’s about 22 miles southeast of Walden, CO just west of Cameron Pass.
- Hours of Operation: The Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant is open year round, five days a week from 9am until 9 pm, closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
- Facebook: Check out the Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant on Facebook for updates, menu, and upcoming specials.
- Phone: Call (970) 723-4025 for large party reservations, special events, and other information. Otherwise, just drop by and see what is going on at the Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant on your next trip to North Park.
Rita’s Cafe in Walden, CO
Another local area place to eat has changed its look and its menu. If you are looking for restaurants in Walden, CO, stop by Rita’s Cafe. Formerly Rise and Grind at the north end of town, Rita’s Cafe is much more than a place to stop for your morning coffee. Rita’s Cafe is a restaurant that offers breakfast, lunch, and much more!
Hitting the ground running on November 3rd, 2023, Rita’s Cafe has been going out of its way to offer something different when it comes to dining in Walden, CO. Open year round, Rita’s offers what you’ve been looking for in places to eat in Walden, whether you are at home or on the road.
What’s on the Menu?
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 brings a cross-section of dishes to its customers. 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. The grilled chicken salad, home-made cinnamon rolls, breakfast burritos are great options for sitting down to enjoy a meal or grabbing food to go. When it comes to breakfast, lunch, and even an early dinner, you’ll want to check out Rita’s Cafe in Walden, CO.
Who is Rita?
Maria “Rita” Reyes has been working in the cafes and restaurants of North Park for over 25 years. Starting from the ground up as a dish washer, Rita has paid her dues in Walden restaurants, working in other people’s kitchens for decades. Locals might have already appreciated her cooking from the local icons Teedos Drive-in, Moose Creek, and the Wyo-Colo Lodge. Now as the owner, at her own establishment, Rita brings years of experience and know-how to area restaurants.
Rita’s Cafe is family-owned and operated, with Rita’s daughters helping run the business. They are all excited to be a part of such a great opportunity, and a chance to show what it takes to give the people what they want when it comes to good food at good prices.
Rita’s Cafe is a newcomer with a pedigree steeped in some of the most-beloved food in the history of the area. Rita's Cafe combines family heart, years of experience, and the opportunity to bring something new to the table when it comes to dining in Walden, CO.
You’ll find Rita’s Cafe open on days many other places to eat in Walden, CO are closed. Hours are suited for early risers and travelers alike. So whether it’s a cinnamon roll and a hot cup of coffee, a breakfast burrito on the go, or enjoying a sit-down meal with friends or family, Rita’s Cafe is open for business.
What You Need to Know about Rita’s Cafe
Here's what you need to know to for your next visit to Rita's Cafe:
- Location: Set your navigation to 150 Main Street, Walden, CO and you'll find Rita's Cafe on the north end of town near the Forest Service office.
- Hours of Operation: 6am-6pm Mon., Tues., Fri-Sat. (Closed Wed. and Thurs.). Open on Sundays 6am-2pm. Hours are subject to change defpending on the season.
- Facebook: Please check the Rita’s Cafe Facebook Page for any news, updates, and changes.
- Phone: Call (970) 291-8035 for updated business hours, advanced orders, and other information.
- Email: You can reach Rita’s Cafe by emailing [email protected]om
Come Visit These New Restaurants in North Park and Walden, CO
If you are a local or just passing through, Rita’s Cafe and the Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant are two restaurants you won’t want to miss on your travels. So whether it is a sit-down experience with tastes of Old Mexico or a cozy atmosphere and comfort food for a chilly winter morning, you can satiate that craving. Follow the VisitNorthParkCO Facebook page or check this blog for more exciting things coming to Walden, CO and North Park!
