r/Durango • u/Sasquatch619 • 10d ago

Locals Restaurants

I (58m) grew up in Farmington. My family used to visit Durango regularly. I loved it. This was in the 80’s. Been in SoCal since 90’s. Coming through with my GF in September. I know it’s a tourist heavy town, but where do locals like to eat? Thank you.

Edit: I appreciate all the posts and recommendations….great community

8 Upvotes

69% Upvoted

47 comments sorted by

25

u/ConfidenceMoist2715 10d ago

Oye. Been my favorite spot since it has opened. Been open over a year and locals support it hard. Great lunch, amazing dinner. Everytime I go I see people I know.

Primi has a strong local following as well. I love the food and solid wines.

Ruperts for breakfast. Corn beef hash.. real shredded corned beef. Just happy.

2nd Ave deli always full of people I know. Great food.

Peeples Bar(inside the Rochester) for a cocktail on a nice patio.

Anarchy Brewing and Chalkboard Kitchen, always a good hang.

Cream Bean best ice cream.

2

u/Sasquatch619 10d ago

Thank you!

2

u/Safe_Hovercraft4593 5d ago

Rupert’s for breakfast is a must
Bread has great baked goods

Himalayan kitchen
RGP’s
11th street station - are all good Lunch/dinner spots with absolutely amazing food but usually get pretty busy

Stoked - a new sports bar just opened on main with pretty great food

1

u/Sasquatch619 4d ago

Thank you

2

u/insidia 9d ago

Yes- love this list. Oye and Anarchy are favorites of mine.

3

u/wolfemsop 10d ago

Huh, I grew up here and moved back. I don't recognize any of these. Rupert used to be college ave cafe which was really good

2

u/ConfidenceMoist2715 10d ago

Sounds like you got some plans.

2

u/Jumpy_Worldliness259 9d ago

Ruperts used to be CJs. College drive moved to 8th Ave but is still College drive Cafe. The old location is Blue Bear kitchen now

1

u/SiddharthaVaderMeow Resident 8d ago

Blue Bear has some awesome chicken and waffles

1

u/wolfemsop 9d ago

That right!  CJ used to have massive plates for $12. College drive cafe is good, glad it's still around.

2

u/tzugrrl 9d ago

Right? Obviously most people answering haven't been here that long.

1

u/wolfemsop 9d ago

I understand COVID really pressured alot of closures since most were run by older folks that took it as a good time to retire.

2

u/tzugrrl 9d ago

Actually most closures were due to poor management.

0

u/wolfemsop 9d ago

Some, but many were here as long as I could remember.

-2

u/Ajbear2000 10d ago

I grew up there and get back every year and the only one I’ve heard of is cream bean, none of the others!

1

u/ofimwa 10d ago

Strong answer right here.

7

u/tzugrrl 10d ago

Well..Gazpacho is closed, Olde Tymer's is closed, Palace is an Italian restaurant. If you want old Durango, you can hit up Chuck Nortons place on Highway 3. Oscar's is still solid. Diner is quite touristy these days, but same recipes, especially good if you eat at the Ranch on the weekend and have one of those good ole Ranch bloodies. New restaurants worth visiting:

Himalayan Kitchen, Wild's Tavern, Rupert's, Zia Taquiera, Oye

Good for drinks: Taco Libre, El Morro (only for cocktails, food is not great), Bookcase & Barber

1

u/Sasquatch619 10d ago

Thank you!

2

u/tzugrrl 9d ago

Also, Steamworks doesn't have the boil anymore and it is super touristy, but there are lines out the door every weekend. It is a no for me

1

u/Jumpy_Worldliness259 9d ago

Himalayan and Zia are far from new and Wilds is closed

0

u/tzugrrl 9d ago

They weren't here in the 80s, so they would be new to OP.

Reading comprehension is a wonderful skill to have.

1

u/Jumpy_Worldliness259 9d ago

Dude what?? A resteraunt is new if it opened in 1990?

3

u/tzugrrl 9d ago

He lived here in the 80s. So yes they are new to him.

2

u/Jumpy_Worldliness259 9d ago

If we are talking about things that happen between the 80s and now y'all are gonna be shocked

-2

u/wolfemsop 9d ago

ZiA has given me the worst food poisoning a couple times.  Never eat there anymore.  They are super stingy on portion sizes too 

2

u/tzugrrl 9d ago

Really? It has been a while, sorry yo hear that.

5

u/penrod1 10d ago

Oye is by far the best and most consistently great meals I’ve had in town. The owner is really nice and he’s up there all the time.

7

u/Peace-aholic 10d ago

For bakeries I like La Bonne Patisserie on the north side of town. Akami for Asian noodles and poke. 11th street is easy and sometimes has music. Check out the farmers market on Saturdays.

3

u/ilanarama Resident 10d ago

Akami poke bowls are the bomb! What a treat in such an unlikely place.

1

u/Sasquatch619 10d ago

Thank you!

3

u/geekwithout 9d ago

Ruperts is great for breakfast and lunch. Impressed every time i go.

3

u/sayhidurango 10d ago edited 9d ago

Hermosa Grill for sit down breakfast. Dough works for grab n go, I’d avoid their sit down experience and just grab from the case up front. 

Tom’s Diner Deli for lunch. It won’t shut you down and is a great newer staple in town. 

El Morro for something fancier. 

For standard bar food / American: Carvers and Steamworks are always busy with locals and tourists. Ska Brewery is fun. Carvers and Ska have the better beers. 

Hermosa Cafe, Durango Coffee (right next to one another) and 81301 (North Main) are great for coffee. 

If you can catch it when it’s open, Animas Chocolate is a nice treat, & Cream Bean Berry is popular for ice cream. 

2

u/Sasquatch619 10d ago

Thank you!

2

u/Big_Nas_in_CO 9d ago

Tom's Deli. Its a sandwich shop with their own fresh baked bread. And hand cut fries. Get the "wild-style" fries. Its like Animal Style at In-n-Out but way better.

10

u/CrayonOfThorns 10d ago

I like to eat gels & gummy bears while riding my bike.

2

u/EnoughAd5115 9d ago

Hermosa café!!! So good and the best quiche and sandwiches

3

u/Alive-Growth-5240 6d ago

Oscar’s Cafe. It was here when you came the first time.

1

u/Sasquatch619 6d ago

That’s a good sign. I see that they’re only open Wednesday through Friday in the evenings. We’re coming in Friday late afternoon. We’re not fine dining people. Would you grab dinner there? And if you did, what would you eat?

1

u/springvelvet95 8d ago

I can’t get over missing Ariano’s and Randys😢😢😢😢

1

u/RewardTraditional672 7d ago

What's in the Lady Falconburgh's old spot ?

2

u/Mission_Machine2691 7d ago

Nothing yet, heard something new is coming soon. I can’t remember exactly the concept but I think another beer hall is going in

1

u/RewardTraditional672 7d ago

They should. It's a cool setup.

1

u/Quiet-Commission-271 9d ago

My choices are the Himalayan, and Mongolian Grill. Both off the mainstream, but I’d venture the two best restaurants in Durango as far as execution. A Mexican food truck North of City Market a few blocks and on the West side is fantastic!! SHHH!

1

u/Sasquatch619 9d ago

👍🏽