Aspen Restaurants: Casual Dining - American Cuisine

Sometimes you just want a big, hearty meal right off the slopes. These Aspen restaurants will satiate your appetite and replenish your energy so you can make the most out of your ski vacation! 

To view a restaurant, click on a link below or scroll down to see the complete list of restaurants.

N9NE Steakhouse
Jimmy's An American Restaurant & Bar
Pitkin County Steakhouse
Little Annie's Eating House
The Restaurant
Pine Creek Cookhouse
The Red Onion
Poppycocks
Woody Creek Tavern
Bad Billy's Restaurant & Bar
Aspen Brewing Company
Hickory House

N9NE Steakhouse

Photo Credit: Eater

This test kitchen allows diners to watch as the chefs prepare unusual concoctions in the demonstration kitchen. Using fresh local ingredients, chefs prepare dishes like applewood smoked salmon dish with cream cheese "snow," (made with liquid nitrogen), sous vide harissa lamb with yogurt, prime aged steaks, Kobe burgers, sashimi, tuna tacos, truffle chicken, and a variety of seasoned veggie sides. Eating at N9NE Steakhouse is definitely an interactive dining experience.
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Jimmy's An American Restaurant & Bar

Photo Credit: Jimmy's Aspen

Jimmy's serves classic American cuisine in a Rocky Mountain setting. The bar features knowledgeable bartenders and an award winning selection of tequilas. Jimmy's features live salsa on Saturdays. Try the Rocky Mountain trout, ahi tuna, rotisserie chicken, and freshly baked pretzel sticks brushed with warm butter and accompanied by a side of mustard.
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Pitkin County Steakhouse & Tavern  

Photo Credit: Pitkin County Steakhouse

This restaurant recently opened this Summer 2010, and has quickly become a local's hangout. There are two separate spaces, the Tavern and the main Dining Room. The Tavern features  TVs, shuffle board, 12 beers on tap, live music on occasion, and a separate menu. The Dining Room serves prime, dry aged steaks, fresh fish and other seafood, local produce, and a salad bar. The salad bar features local products like Avalanche cheese and heirloom tomatoes.  They also have an extensive wine list and nightly $5 dinner specials.
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Little Annie's Eating House

 
Photo Credit: Little Annie's

This local's spot serves American classics like BBQ spare ribs, chicken fried steak, Colorado lamb chops, pasta, prime rib, fresh trout, salads, delicious Reubens, and burgers. Little Annie's has a great selection of beers on tap. The ambiance is very rustic and has a lot of character. Patrons always feel that Little Annie's comfort food, ambiance, and prices are a great value.
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The Restaurant

 
Photo Credit: St. Regis Aspen

Diners can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner here and enjoy the cozy atmosphere and exhibition kitchen. They have a prix fixe menu for $45 and Happy Hour Thursday - Sunday from 5 -7pm ($3 beers and $5 wines by the glass).
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Pine Creek Cookhouse

Go to the Pine Creek Cookhouse for a real, unpretentious, Rocky Mountain dining experience. The restaurant is lcoated about 20 minutes outside of Aspen at the base of Elk Mountain, and is accessible via skiing, snowshoeing, or horse drawn carriage. Their lunchtime "Skiers Banquet" features salads, bread, and pasta. For dinner, Pine Creek Cookhouse serves plenty of game, including Porcini Dusted Elk, Jack Daniels Marinated Caribou, Alaskan Salmon, Rainbow Trout, and Game Meatloaf, as well as vegetarian options.
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The Red Onion

Photo Credit: Flickr

This historic Aspen establishment was originally opened in 1892 and had been shut down for the past few years. It was recently re-opened this past summer and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is open until 1 am. The Red Onion's menu features American comfort food like a 1/2 lb Angus Chuck Burger with cheese and fries for $10, Jalapeno Poppers, Chicken Waffles, Steak and Eggs, the Chef's own grandfathers recipe for Meatballs and Sauce, and many other old time Aspen recipes.
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Poppycocks

Poppycock's is a breakfast and lunch spot has a main dining room, bar and patio and is dog friendly. Great place to fuel up before hitting the slopes! Their menu includes delicious breakfast fare like oatmeal buttermilk pancakes, homemade pistachio sausage, cornbeef hash, and fruit smoothies.
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Woody Creek Tavern

Photo Credit: Woody Creek Tavern

This funky, hippie joint was founded in 1980 and soon became notorious for its anti-establismentarian clientele, one of whom was the famous Hunter Thompson. Woody Creek Tavern is located a few miles from Aspen and is one of the few places that has maintained a true, old school Aspen vibe. The walls are lined with old magazine and newspaper articles, photographs and souvenirs. The menu features free range organic meats and vegetables, steaks, burgers, ribs, chicken, enchiladas, fish tacos, and line caught sea food. 
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Bad Billy's Restaurant & Bar

Bad Billy's is a down to earth "dive bar" that has plenty of games to keep you entertained, lilke shuffle board, foosball, pool table, and video games. You can also watch sports on one of their big flatscreen TVs and eat what the Aspen 2010 Locals Choice Awards claim is the "Best Burger," and grab a beer or cocktail from the "Best Bartender." Check out Bad Billy's Happy Hour from 4 - 6 when well drinks are only $4.50. Highly recommended are the burger, of course, the fish tacos, and sake sangria. 
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Aspen Brewing Company

Serving local microbrews, light lagers and dark ales at 7,822 ft. above sea leve, Aspen Brewing Company is open for tasting and tours every day. There is no kitchen, so bring your own lunch from a nearby restaurant or deli and throw back a cold one.
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Boogie's Diner

   
Photo Credit: Aspen Skollie Magazine

Boogie's is a retro diner that has a full bar and patio for outside dining. They serve burgers, sandwiches, salads, heart-healthy dishes, homemade desserts, and milkshakes. Thanks to the fun atmosphere, old-school decor, and full beer, wine and cocktail list, this place is fun for kids and adults.
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Hickory House

  
Photo Credit: Hickory House Ribs

This casual local's favorite claims to have the best ribs in Colorado. Hickory House serves BBQ chicken, ribs, pork, Louisiana catfish, and more BBQ specialties as well as a great breakfast.
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