Bragging Rights Declared For The Real Stars of the Teller/Ute Pass High Country
Rick Langenberg and Trevor Phipps
Fire off the cannons, as it’s time again to party, celebrate and have fun; and yes, enjoy The Best of What the Teller and Ute Pass High Country offers.
TMJ readers, online viewers, residents, gaming and history enthusiasts, and many visitors came out in force to voice their favorite picks in the last few months. The voting this year (done again completely online, and this year with an easy to use, cell phone-friendly link) crashed all previous records with close to 50,000 ballots carded over a two-and-a-half-month period. Amazing.
While Hollywood recently showcased their annual Academy Awards competition, Cripple Creek, Woodland Park, Teller County and the entire Ute Pass/Pikes Peak region has gained quite a reputation for an equally competitive showdown this time of year: the infamous “Best Of Championship,” sponsored by TMJ News (The Mountain Jackpot) newspaper over the last few decades, a competition featured for more than 35 years. And not to be too boastful, our contest is way more objective than that of the egotistical stars from Hollywood, who had their recent night in the spotlight, which this year put everyone to sleep other than the occasional upsets.
Once again, readers and TMJ Best Of voters declared their favorite places to gamble, play slots, recreate, dine and enjoy family time, grumble at politicians, bureaucrats and journalists (yes, a rare concept in our land of enlightenment.) And with the definite end of COVID and the end of another presidential election, the good or bad times are back.
In addition, voters were not shy about announcing their top picks for public servants, casino employees, local personalities, bartenders, politicians and more. In a heavily contested Best Of 2026 contest, TMJ readers and Best Of participants dealt a few upsets and surprises, as well as making obvious choices for the region’s high and low points. For the 10th year in a row, we continued to add more categories for our Best Of competitions.
We have strived to encompass a much wider area than Cripple Creek, Victor and southern Teller. (Contrary to public opinion, there is a world beyond the CC/V district. But we must give the southern Teller folks credit, as their strong interest and enthusiasm in the Best Of showdown three decades ago really led to this annual edition.
Don’t ever say people in Cripple Creek and Victor aren’t competitive and don’t have opinions.
Best Of Business Writeups
Best Of 2026 Winners
Food, Drinks and Hospitality!
Best Area Hotel
Gold – Woodland Country Lodge/Microtel (Woodland Park)
Silver – Chamonix Resort (Cripple Creek)
Bronze – The Double Eagle (Cripple Creek)
Honorable Mention: Victor Hotel
Last Year’s Champ – Woodland Country Lodge/Microtel (Woodland Park)
This year many of the locals’ favorites did change, but some seem to remain a constant. The Woodland Country Lodge and Microtel hotels located on the west side of Woodland Park seem to be everyone’s favorite each year. However, for the last two years, the luxuries promised at the Chamonix Resort in Cripple Creek also seem to please visitors. The Double Eagle, which used to be the city’s largest hotel before the Golden Nugget and Chamonix developments, picked up enough votes for third.
Best Wait Staff
Gold – Russ’ Place
Silver – McGinty’
Bronze – Paradox Brewery
Honorable Mention: 110 Reserve/ Ute Lodge Bar and Grill
Last Year’s Champ – The Creek
The honors for the best wait staff this year go to one of the most popular eateries in Teller County. Russ’ Place always ends up high on the list for several categories including their friendly and hard-working wait staff. Voters also seemed to favor the staff at McGinty’s for providing quality customer service. The Paradox Brewery making the list proves that voters seemed to like the restaurant staff that works in Divide the most.
Best Area Local Hangout
Gold – Russ’ Place
Silver – The Blue Moose Tavern
Bronze – The District Kitchen & Saloon
Honorable Mention: Jess’ Place
Last Year’s Champ – The Creek
Russ’ Place in Divide once again nails the gold this time for being the best place in the region just to hang out. The eatery’s cold beer and unique views of Pikes Peak offer a prime spot to kick back and relax with some friends. Further down Ute Pass, The Blue Moose is always a favorite chill spot for the entire region with their popular live music and karaoke nights. The District is a relatively new saloon in the area, but it has already climbed the charts for one of the best places to hang out.
Best Woodland Park Bar
Gold – Boards and Barrels
Silver – Jess’ Place
Bronze – 110 Reserve/ Ute Lodge Bar and Grill
Honorable Mention: Peak View BBQ
Last Year’s Champ – Jess’ Place
When looking for a beverage in Woodland Park, Boards and Barrels has grown to be a favorite in the area. It could be their craft cocktails, or maybe their whiskey sampling flights that set them above the rest. In second place, Jess’ Place (who also made the list for best area hangout) proves to be an enjoyable place to kick back and play a game of pool. The new and improved Ute Lodge Bar and Grill is also a local favorite now that the famous eatery is back in business.
Best Area Sports Bar
Gold – McGinty’s Wood Oven Pub
Silver – Russ’ Place
Bronze – Blue Moose Tavern
Honorable Mention: Jess’ Place
When it comes to watching a game or athletic contest, the sports bar side at McGinty’s won the hearts of locals and visitors yet again. During the football season, the bar side sports a multitude of screens, so fans can watch virtually any NFL game of their choice. In fact, their network of television screens and sports options can’t really be rivaled. And to top it off, they have great game-time food and specials. Russ’ Place, located nearby, and the Blue Moose Tavern are also local favorites, along with Jess’ Place in Woodland Park. In fact, Jess’ may go down as the rowdiest sports bar during Denver Bronco and KC Chief games.
Best Margaritas
Gold – Cantina Verde
Silver – Judge’s
Bronze – Fiesta Mexicana
Honorable Mention: Ute Lodge Bar and Grill
Last year’s Champ – Cantina Verde
For later in the afternoon, it is cocktail/tequila time in the Teller and Ute Pass high country. And once again, Cantina Verde in Green Mountain Falls easily won this title. The Cantina has a margarita menu that dazzles the mind, and a setting and a roof-top bar area that is perfect for margs., almost bringing back memories of Jimmy Buffett or maybe Jerry Garcia, only with a mountain theme. Judge’s, Fiesta Mexicana and Ute Lodge Bar and Grill also fared extremely well in this competition.
Best Area Restaurant
Gold – Wines of Colorado
Silver – McGinty’s Wood Oven Pub
Bronze – Boards and Barrels
Honorable Mention: Cantina Verde
Last Year’s Champ — Boards and Barrels Bistro & Whiskey House
When it comes to eating out, many voters revel the trip down the pass to Cascade to enjoy the meals at Wines of Colorado. Their parking lot is always packed, meaning that the wine and food are both quite popular. Their steak nights are legendary, not to mention their Italian favorites (May we suggest the Chicken Parm or Lasagna, with a glass or two of Colorado Cellars, Pino Noir, and salmon. Then, they occasionally host special pairing feasts. In Divide, McGinty’s always seem to stay at the top as the best all-around restaurant. Boards and Barrels is also becoming a growing favorite probably for their special tasting events and delicious holiday specials.
Best Area BBQ
Gold – Roy’s Crew
Silver – Peak View BB
Bronze – Bird Dog BB
Honorable Mention: Rudy’s BBQ
Last Year’s Champ – Roy’s Crew
For the second year in a row, Roy’s Crew BBQ and Breakfast Too stands out as the region’s best. Their weekly specials and their delicious smoked goods have made them a locals’ favorite. Peak View BBQ is also popular and some like to try their BBQ with some Asian appetizers along with it. Bird Dog BBQ in Lake George makes the list every year and many enjoy the food produced by the Park County eatery.
Best Area Brewhouse
Gold – Parado
Silver – BierWerks
Bronze – Red Leg
Honorable Mention – Goat Patch
Last Year’s Champ – Paradox
When it comes to brewing beer, the Paradox Brewery in Divide has been a mainstay in the region for quite some time. Lately, they have had popular events like makers’ markets and bluegrass jams that tend to bring people out. BierWerks is another favorite for those looking to enjoy a brew while in Woodland Park. When it comes to breweries down the pass, many seem to enjoy Red Leg or Goats Patch which are both popular and not too far of a drive.
Best Area Steak
Gold – 980 Prime (Chamonix)
Silver – Salt Grass Steak House
Bronze – Wines of Colorado
Honorable Mention – Red Diamond Gastropub
Last Year’s Champ – 980 Prime
When it comes to treating yourself to a delicious steak, the fine dining eatery at the Chamonix Resort in Cripple Creek commands top billing. No competition. For the second year in a row, the upscale steakhouse has garnered several votes for its Las Vegas-style dining. The Salt Grass Steak House inside the Golden Nugget in Cripple Creek also stays packed with hungry visitors wanting more of a Texas-style meal. In Cascade, the Wines of Colorado gets tons of votes in the steak category. Their regular Steak Nights have become legendary outings.
Best Area Burger
Gold – Russ’ Place
Silver – McGinty’s
Bronze – Judge’s Char-Grill
Honorable Mention: Wayback Burgers
Last Year’s Champ – Russ’ Place
Every year, the best burger contest in Teller County seems to be the most heated. People in the high country take their burger-eating seriously and yet again Russ’ Place emerges as the very best. Not too far away, McGinty’s prides themselves by producing burgers that come from cattle locally raised across the highway in Divide. Judge’s in Woodland Park also knows how to cook scrumptious varieties of America’s most favorite meals.
Best Area Seafood
Gold – Wines of Colorado
Silver – Mayflower
Bronze – Fusion Japan
Honorable Mention: 980 Prime
Last Year’s Champ – Wines of Colorado
For the second year in a row, Wines of Colorado dispelled the myth regarding the lack of quality seafood on The Mountain and received rave reviews for its creations from the sea. Their salmon is unbelievable and meshes well with their selections of quality Colorado wines. The Mayflower, one of Woodland Park’s top Chinese restaurants, also finished in the top three as did Fusion Japan. The latter two offer great options for take-out and for in-restaurant dining.
Best Asian Food
Gold – Mayflower
Silver – Fortune Dragon
Bronze – Fusion Japan
Last Year’s Champ – Fusion Japan
Mayflower, one of TMJ Editor Rick’s favorite stops during the week, grabbed the gold in the Asian Food title. This is a heavily contested competition due to the large number of Chinese and Asian-oriented restaurants in our little Woodland Park village. They offer a hefty menu and great options for carry-out and in-house dining, with an impressive venue. Fortune Dragon has been a staple in the community for many years, proving that Woodland Park locals love their Chinese food.
Best Mexican Food
Gold – Crystal Park Cantina
Silver – Cantina Verde
Bronze – Fiesta Mexicana
Honorable Mention: Casa Grande
In the first time for this contest, established due to reader demand with the growth of Mexican eateries in our community, Crystal Park Cantina, located just outside the main business district of Manitou Springs, grabbed top honors. Crystal Park is worth the trip for Tellerians who want to sample some very unique Mexican plates. They also offer a great bar, but plan on waiting occasionally during the weekend, as this place is very popular. As far as local Mexican favorites, Cantina Verde in Green Mountain Falls, received enormous praise for their Southwestern-style flavor that really don’t fit the complete traditional mold of a Mexican restaurant. The Cantina also sports a great facility and features tremendous culinary variety, including special dinner nights. Fiesta Mexicana also was rated extremely well among Mexican eateries. Fiesta also features more expanded hours, compared to other restaurants in WP.
Best Pizza
Gold – Blue Moose Tavern
Silver – AJ’s Pizzeria
Bronze – Papa Murphy’s Woodland Park
Last Year’s Champ – Blue Moose
Talk about an annual tradition. When you mention Blue Moose around our friendly abode, most rave about their live music, colorful personality, crazy locals, TMJ obnoxious staffers, bizarre canines, and yes, now let’s beat the drums: Their award-winning pizza. Blue Moose has won this enticing title for close to 10 years. But they have some tough competition from the likes of AJ’s Pizza and Papa Murphy’s
Best Area Breakfast
Gold – The Pantry
Silver – Margaret’s Munchies
Bronze – The Hungry Bear
Honorable Mention: Lombard’s
The Pantry, often regarded as the culinary staple of Green Mountain Falls, has become a breakfast and lunch institution for decades. In fact, if you mention the town of Green Mountain Falls to a visitor or out-of-town tourist, the first words that come out are: The Pantry. The Pantry’s breakfast servings are legendary and often generate big crowds on the weekend, with hearty helpings, and award-winning omelets, not to mention their special home-made bread. Then, there is the lively conversation at the counter, where the real truth of GMF is unveiled. Many Best Of responders, though, really love Margaret’s Munchies in Divide.
Best Lunch
Gold – Joanie’s Deli and Bakery
Silver – Peak View BBQ
Bronze – Pop Up Cheese Steaks
Honorable Mention: Judge’s
Last Year’s Champ – Joanie’s Deli and Bakery
In a repeat victory, Joanie’s won overwhelmingly as the area’s top choice for lunch. This is an eatery that continues to dazzle locals and visitors with their mammoth and deluxe sandwiches, baked goods, desserts, pastries, and more, coupled with their friendly staff and great outdoor and patio seating. This deli is constantly improving. It also is a good place to bring your dog during warm (or even cold days), except your famed companion may just snag away your lunch. Other favorites, according to our readers, are Peak View BBQ Pop UP Cheese Steaks, located in Jess’ Place, and Judge’s
Best Weekend Eatery
Gold – The Pantry
Silver – McGinty’s Wood Oven Pub
Bronze – The Hungry Bear
Honorable Mention: Salt Grass Steak House
No real changes from last year for a bit to eat on the weekends. The Panty is known for their goliath breakfast portions, but they also serve delicious meals during lunch time. And Divide’s favorite Irish pub is a good spot for a meal any time.
Best Area Restaurant Atmosphere
Gold – Wines of Colorado
Silver – McGinty’s Wood Oven Pub
Bronze – Peak View BBQ
Last Year’s Champ: Wines Of Colorado
In a repeat victory, voters clearly endorsed Wines of Colorado as the eatery with the best atmosphere, a byproduct of their stellar views, historic renovation and even the colorful stories unveiled by owner Arin DeMay. And it’s a great place to go, whether you are with friends or family or by yourself. McGinty’s Wood Oven Pub is one of the best success stories of the growing Divide culinary scene and part of the resurgence of the Center of the Known Universe.
