Salida is a town that feels meticulously arranged by a diorama enthusiast with a penchant for the…read morefrontier. Nestled among the peaks of the Sawatch Range, where tumbleweeds might theoretically roll if they weren't caught in the spokes of a passing bicycle, sits an establishment of peculiar perfection: The Biker & The Baker. My compass has unerringly pointed to their door every single time I visit Salida over the past five years. It is a tradition forged in sugar and chain grease, where the rugged American West meets the precision of French pastry. Pairing high-desert riding with artisanal baking seems like a recipe for a pile-up, but the execution here is a sweet ride. You will find aerodynamic cyclists sitting elbow-to-elbow with flannel-draped modern prospectors, united by a singular quest for butter. The Biker handles the gears, the Baker handles the tiers. They aren't just coasting on charm; they are pedaling toward culinary triumph, baking up a storm that rivals the monsoons over the Arkansas River. The confections are miniature monuments to indulgence. I have routinely panned for gold in this valley, but the true motherlode is their lemon tart--a symmetrical marvel of citrus striking like a high-noon sun. Their charcuterie boards are arranged with the geometric exactitude of a surveyor mapping a railroad. Whether you are gearing up to summit Mount Shavano or recovering from a grueling promenade, this sanctuary provides the requisite fuel. It is the exceedingly charming destination itself.

Great good for pastry and breakfast! Nice location and…read moredecoration of the interior and outside. You can sit up on the roof area with a nice scenic view of the city of Salida. The staff attended to us very quickly and professionally. They were there too serve and make sure we were taken care of. By the way it was even more special since it was Father's Day!

Road tripping and needed some dinner. This was a great stop!…read more We asked first and were told the patio was pup friendly as we had our two fur babies with us. I watched the pups while my husband and daughter put in their order, then it was my turn. They have laminated menus where you write your name and tick off the item you want and any sides or customizations. I got the Pickle Club toasted. It had honey smoked ham, smoked turkey, bacon, and cheddar cheese. I opted for the parmesan bread and added lettuce, onion, pickle, and tomato. I had a root beer and some malt vinegar and salt potato chips along side. It came with a pickle spear too! I love me some pickles! This was a delicious sandwich! It was ready in no time even with a line of folks. I can see why this is a popular spot. Very casual and welcoming space. They have both outdoor and indoor seating. The patio was quite pleasant even with a heavier breeze.

The service was fantastic!!! Carey is so personable and fun. While Poncha Springs is just a spot in…read morethe road, this place is definitely worth a stop!!!

Eric, the owner, has a kind, generous, inclusive, positive approach to people and life. His…read moregoodness and welcoming nature toward everyone is reflected by the people on his team. Every time, it's an incredibly uplifting experience to be here. On to the food: it's a carefully curated menu designed to appeal to everyone, from vegetarians and carnivores. The Cubano is a personal favorite of mine. No matter what, get the homemade, handcut fries. Always blazing hot, perfectly seasoned and awesome. The walls are covered with music posters that are brightly colorful and fun. This and Eric are true Salida Classics. Thanks again, Bill

Owner Eric is a riot! The food is very good. Locally sourced beef. You can tell the difference :-)…read moregood quality food and we will be back soon! Great for the whole family, worth stopping by!!! The place is casual but clean and comfortable. A happy music vibe! You might not be able to tell from the outside, but it's worth going inside!

Excellent breakfast, good coffee and great. service! The avocado benny was the bomb. Will…read moredefinitely be back!

Stopped by here as a detour because we had time to kill for our air bnb. Food was amazing,…read moreatmosphere was great. I guess we beat the crowd! Mimosas are a must, my mom and I split the flight.

Lovin' Spoonful is not so much a restaurant as it is a food truck. It seems to be a rather…read morepermanent fixture at this location, right next to Sub-Culture Cyclery. (The address is approximate.) It has a couple of outdoor tables and a tarp to keep the sun and frequent afternoon downpours off its customers. Lovin' Spoonful offers a four or five specials daily...sandwiches mostly, with salads on the side. We've eaten there twice, and both times got a very fresh sandwich and side salad. Our favorite was the falafel & hummous sandwich. It was piled high with two or three large falafel balls and tons of veggies. It was served on a nice, crusty, home-made pita. Definitely worth checking out if you want to sit outside or take food back to your place.

Amazing food truck next to Elevation Beer Co. Loaded Italian sausage lasagna with crisp grilled…read moreveggies and Texas toast for just 7 bucks and a delish pork tamale with fresh salsa and chips for 3 bucks. This will definitely be a regular stop for me!!

Pretty solid for a sandwich shop! We were charging our EV nearby and saw this market on Yelp and…read moredecided to give it a try. Glad that we did because it really made for a good meal once on the road. Hubby got a Club and I tried their Reuben. Both were really tasty. The young man that made the sandwich asked if we wanted fries. When we declined, he jokingly said, "yeah, these sandwiches will fill you up." He was not joking. The sandwiches got some weight to them lol. Friendly staff, good sandwiches, cute little market with some delicious chocolate treats you can pick up also. I'd swing by next time I am in the area to charge the car!

I stopped here to charge car and get some lunch. I ordered build your own sandwich with rye bread…read moreand all the veggies with chipotle sauce and it was one of the best sandwiches I had. Highly recommend stopping at this unassuming convenience store for lunch.

The mojo at Mojo's Eatery is strong…read more Cruising into Salida and did a quick search for some eats and the nearest establishment appeared Mojo's Eatery. Pulled into the parking lot and electric vehicle chargers were like towers of hope for the power-deprived traveler. The menu looked limited. Was there for lunch. Breakfast menu looks extensive and good. Ordered a burger and turkey club and iced tea. Overall it's great. There were so many people with dogs or multiple dogs that sitting peacefully in the exterior seating area wasn't that peaceful as bickering alpha dogs tried to act dominant by whelping and arguing with each other. Wasn't a fan of the barking and screeching and loudness that lasted the entirety of the meal while observing the dog owners either oblivious to the mayhem or ignoring it while swiping on their janky iPhones. I won't dock points in this review due to the dog drama. It is what it is. Salida is a wicked dog-friendly town. I will return for breakfast. You should also. You'll be glad you did.

This was a welcome spot on a roadtrip. I had the crab cake salad which was the BEST crab cake I…read morehave had in a while. Flakey and not tons of filler. My husband loved the house salad with chicken. Loved the gluten free mentions on the menu.

Hubby and I were staying overnight in Salida a few weeks back. We went to Amicas and were not…read moredisappointed. We enjoyed one of their wood fired pizza. Plenty of toppings, right amount of sauce and perfect crunch on the crust. We also shared a bowl of potato soup, soup of the day. Which came out pipping hot. Very clean and friendly staff. We always enjoy when we go to Salida. We own a salsa business, Lynda Sue's Salsa. We left a couple of jars for the staff to try. You can find our salsa at the LaGree's in Pueblo, Poncha Springs and Buena Vista. lsksalsa@gmail.com

A very flavorful pizza out in the sticks…read more The Salsiccia is a standout favorite, and the Rex's Amber pairs with it perfectly. Service was quick, attentive, and on point. The ingredients tasted fresh, and the addition of mushrooms really elevated the dish. It's also easy to find, right in the downtown area.