New Casino Restaurant Receiving Stellar Reviews.
Rick Langenberg
So much for the myth that the quest for a quality dining experience at a Cripple Creek casino doesn’t exist.
In fact, the Creek’s dining scene is now booming. A wave of positive restaurant reviews is drawing more attention and challenging the town’s old reputation for lackluster food.
Johnny Nolon’s is the latest local casino to hit the jackpot with a new restaurant, Nonna’s Italiano, an event celebrated on May 22 with an official ribbon cutting, with Cripple Creek city officials lauding the addition of another quality eatery. Moreover, the restaurant meshes well with the city’s overall desire for revitalizing the downtown and promoting Main Street enhancements.
For Johnny Nolon’s, the development marks the first time in recent years, the local gaming favorite has waged any bets on a high caliber restaurant with a definite theme. Old Johnny would be happy and may even raise an Italian flag and indulge himself with a hearty plate of pasta.
Oddly enough, Italian food is an amenity that is not offered much in Teller County. That’s not the case anymore with patrons enjoying Nonna’s enticing Pasta and Lasagna combinations, with special ingredients and sauces that may just compete with the old country. Their grand opening specials left many restaurant-goers amazed, and conquered the heartiest of appetites, even from TMJ journalists who aren’t known as shy eaters.
“It is really about giving our guests a quality experience with a price that won’t break the bank,” said Matt Andrighetti, general manager of the Johnny Nolon’s and Colorado Grande casinos, two properties owned by the Rocky Mountain Gaming group.
Moreover, the general manager cites the restaurant as part of the casino’s push for a “value-centric” experience whether it’s through playing modern games of chance and winning at super-loose slots; or having a great meal at their restaurant or checking out an old historic photo of Johnny Nolon’s from the 1890s.
Since he became the casino’s general manager about a year ago, Andrighetti has strived to offer patrons a great product, while embracing the property’s history, and not getting pretentious. He views Johnny Nolon’s and Colorado Grande as part of the real historic Cripple Creek, without the added resort fees.
A New Look for Johnny Nolon’s
The owners and managers have tried to modernize the casino while embracing its past and early popularity as a local favorite. In the early years of gaming, Johnny Nolon’s was The Casino to visit. This was due to the property’s ability to revitalize the Johnny Nolon story, as the place once existed as a popular casino and saloon during the 1890s gold rush, where wild times and even occasional shootings took place.
But in later years, and with the development of mega casinos, Johnny Nolon’s lost much of its allure. “We have tried to bring it back to more like it once was,” admitted Andrighetti.
Andrighetti, who was voted as the top casino general manager in a recent Best Of 2026 contest, sponsored by TMJ News, is well-known in the gaming community. He has been involved in the local gaming industry for close to 20 years, working extensively previously with the former Wildwood casino and later with the Golden Nugget. Andrighetti also was a familiar face at local council meetings, especially during the coronavirus epidemic and in discussing issues of concern for the industry.
During his time in Cripple Creek, he says to the best of his knowledge, Johnny Nolon’s never really tried a signature dining experience. “I can never remember Johnny Nolon’s really having a quality restaurant,” admitted Andrighetti.
According to the Johnny Nolon’s general manager, restaurant guests have especially enjoyed Nonna’s Pasta with Meatballs (the grand opening special) along with their Lasagna and Chicken Parmigiana. Their ever-popular Antipasti plates also feature Toasted Ravioli, Fried Mozzarella and Fried Mozzarella, Fried Calamari, and other favorites.
And like prime Italian restaurants, they take pride in their deserts with Gianna’s Italian donut, Tiramisu and a New York Cheesecake
Besides offering a great dining and gaming experience, the general manager says they have tried to improve the appearance of the casino and enhance its historic atmosphere with more historic photos.
Andrighetti said they now plan to concentrate on making more improvements at Colorado Grande and Maggie’s restaurant. “That was always one of my favorite restaurants,” said Andrighetti.
And yes, like Johnny Nolon’s, the Grande abounds in historic tales—true or not—with Maggie the ghost at the center of every story.
“I love all the Maggie stories,” quipped Andrighetti.
