While the weather is nice and inviting to be outdoors, food on four wheels in Buena Vista – that is, food trucks – provide a convenient, quick selection, adding to the list of great eateries for residents and tourists alike. In a town with plenty of available restaurant options, it can sometimes be difficult to choose the best place for your next meal. Buena Vista appears to believe that more options are better.
The town continues to develop new permit structures and regulations to support this growing trend of business. The focus not only encourages new commerce but also supports foot traffic and adds ambience to the downtown area of Main Street.
A review of some of the food trucks and a preview of what they offer provides a taste of the dining evolution in this small, river town nestled among the Collegiate Peaks.
Buena Viking – Comfort food on Main Street next to Deerhammer Distilling Company
Buena Viking- Co-owners Anna Sitton and Evan Winger in front of their Main Street food truck, photo courtesy of Anna Sitton.
The Buena Viking specializes in comfort food in every sense of the word. Their menu encompasses breakfast, lunch and dinner with burgers and sandwiches that satisfy any hearty appetite after a day recreating in the mountains. From a fried egg bacon melt to burgers and sweet potato fries, their gourmet take on the fast pace of food truck cooking offers a high-end meal without the wait. They use locally sourced ingredients whenever possible to provide a variety of quality toppings for unique flavor profiles and the highest standard of traditional go-to options. Co-owners Anna Sitton and Evan Winger are thrilled to be able to return for a second successful summer season in the heart of Main Street.
“The Buena Viking contributes different options to locals and tourists alike. Everyone appears to be at maximum capacity this summer, more than ever, and we hope to take some of the pressure off of brick and mortar establishments, while making it easier for people to find a place to eat on Main Street,” said Sitton. “It’s amazing to look out our window and see as many locals as tourists braving our line. We’ve gotten great feedback and hope to be able to continue offering ‘simple food done right’ to our town.”
They are currently open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., but after Labor Day hours will change to Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/thebuenaviking/
Cowboy’s Dash BBQ – Simple fare on the east side of Hwy. 24, next to the carwash
Simplicity can sometimes be the best way to show off great food. And the family behind Cowboy’s Dash BBQ takes that sentiment to heart. They offer four authentic meat options and four different sides with a variety of combinations to create a simple menu with the ultimate taste for authenticity. Their beef brisket, pulled pork, pork ribs and smoked sausages are all made “low and slow” on their custom smoker attached to their custom food truck. Not only can you find them roadside for a quick, savory meal, but they also provide full-service and self-serve catering and concessions. It can take days to achieve the perfect tenderness of traditional barbecue. Co-owner Kirk Saewert and his family put in the hours each week to provide true barbecue with no exceptions. Their ribs are smoked over 12 hours and the brisket up to 18, and even at this higher elevation the smoky flavor truly accentuates the cut of meat.
“When barbecue is done right, it is so flavorful and unique that it really sticks with you,” said Saewert. “Then, the smell of real wood-fire smoke mixed with well-seasoned beef and pork floating around in the air brings that taste right back to the tip of your tongue. Plus, there’s just something about wood-fire smoke that I think takes us back to a more old-school way of cooking and makes us more relaxed and comfortable. It can be sort of like sitting around a campfire. I’d like to also say a quick ‘thank you’ to everyone in this beautiful town for supporting us as we share our passion for authentic barbecue. We truly love serving y’all!”
Cowboy’s Dash BBQ will be open for road-side concessions on the weekends through at least the end of September. Then it will be available for catering through the winter months and plans to open for concessions again in May. More information can be found at www.cowboysdashbbq.com
The Olive – Satisfaction from the seas on Main Street next to Loback’s Bakery
The Olive- Co-owners Tana Deklevar and Brandon Renner with son, Oscar, are excited to bring Greek cuisine to the valley. Photo courtesy of Tana Deklevar.
Though the Rocky Mountains are a long way from the Mediterranean, The Olive provides Greek cuisine to satisfy that longing for the sea and its healthy fresh flavors. With just three menu options, their gyros with homemade tzatziki sauce, homemade falafels and fresh-ingredient salads with traditional Greek flavors are filling but do not weigh you down. Because their ingredients and simple menu stay true to the Mediterranean nod, they are equipped to fuel the masses and support people with dietary restrictions. They also offer baklava and other made-fresh Greek pastries for dessert, providing just the right amount of sweetness before hikers hit the trails again.
Co-owners Tana Deklevar and Brandon Renner are exploring new territory as this is their first full summer of operation, and they could not be more thrilled with the community support. “We really hoped to achieve the idea of creating a space that is comfortable for everyone, like a little pocket park with our food truck,” said Deklevar. “By using sustainable products, providing good quality affordable food, and catering to health-conscious needs, we feel successful because of the overwhelming support and welcoming feeling we have received from the community.”
The Olive will remain open daily through the fall, weather permitting, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. More information can be found at www.facebook.com/the-olive-buena-vista/
Scratch Taqueria – Taco craze on U.S. Hwy. 24 next to the Shell Station
A mother/daughter duo are bringing the taco craze to the valley with the theme of family fueling their recipes and menu. As owners of a food truck that offers catering too, Sharon and Jessica Woolmington are redefining comfort food with their fast service on homemade flavors. Their taco creations involve everything from braised pork and pineapple to fried avocado and flame-roasted corn to give patrons any and every option they may want in a taco. Each combination provides a nostalgic touch of unique family memories linked to the tradition their family has created in Buena Vista for generations. Though this is the first summer for Scratch Taqueria, the Woolmingtons say they are hoping to continue their love of tacos and add other styles of homemade comfort food for private catering and at the food truck.
“Although we are well-rooted here and know so many in the community, it has been so much fun meeting and connecting both with those passing through and locals that we did not know until now,” said Jessica Woolmington. “We had our first international customers from the UK this past week who were also in the restaurant business. What a fun exchange of ideas … they invited us to open a truck across the pond!”
Scratch Taqueria is open Thursday through Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., closed Sunday evenings, and is available for catering of any cuisine, not just Mexican food. They will be parked in this location until the end of September and available for catering from October through May. More information can be found at www.scratchkitchenbv.com
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