What began as a small railway tent town, Alamosa was one of those places that seemed to pop up over night. The city itself has come a long way since its humble beginning and has grown into the largest full-service city in the San Luis Valley, serving as the “Gateway to the Great Sand Dunes” located nearby.
Thanks to a rich diversity of people Alamosa has a wide range of cuisine to choose from, spanning steakhouses, Mexican cuisine, and even Chinese food. While the national parks and recreation areas may have brought you to Alamosa for your Colorado vacation the hardest part of the trip will be choosing from the cities 30+ restaurants to dine at.
Hideaway Steakhouse
An active outdoor lifestyle can be a great way to stay in shape but it also conjures up an appetite as fierce as the biggest Grizzly Bear. Hideaway Steakhouse is Alamosa’s answer to this problem, especially if the beast within craves meat. In addition to the succulent grass-fed cuts of beef and burgers, Hideaway serves up plates that are more accurately described as platters, as each steak dinner comes with soup, salad, sides, bread, and, of course, a generously sized cut of meat.
Offering a low-key, dark, 70s décor, Hideaway may be a challenge to find for out-of-towners, but it stands out as a shining gem to any carnivore fortunate enough to find it.
Bistro Rialto
What began as the Pizza Den and Pasta, Bistro Rialto has evolved into a place of refined Italian dining. Rialto has a wide selection of Italian cuisine to choose from, such as their custom pizzas, pasta with gluten-free options, calzones, and traditional desserts, like their decadent tiramisu. All of this brings an authentic Italian twist to Alamosa.
The Bistro has a rustic and intimate atmosphere with a knowledgeable staff and a chef with a commitment to preparing quality food with the freshest of ingredients. It also has a wide selection of Italian wines and beers for those looking to quench their thirst with an adult beverage. In addition to the main dining area, the Bistro also has a large banquet room for those looking to accommodate larger groups of up to 85 people.
Calvillo’s Mexican Restaurant
While some may shy away from buffets on their Colorado vacation, Cavillo’s Mexican Restaurant in Alamosa may have some people changing their tune. While most buffets fall to the wayside because of places like Old Country Buffet or Golden Corral, Cavillo’s offers up something different from the rest: traditional Mexican food.
While the buffet may be the main attraction for some, the restaurant also allows their customers to choose from a menu which hosts a number of traditional Mexican cuisine options, like their heavenly red chili enchiladas, mouthwatering green chili Valentina burrito, or the supreme crunch of the Chicharrón.
Cavillo’s also has a bar where customers can slake their thirst with freshly mixed drinks, their house specialty being margaritas.
If you’ve spent most of your Colorado vacation on the road chowing down fast-food, Cavillo’s is a delicious and affordable alternative.
May-Wa Chinese Restaurant
In an area that is predominantly populated with Mexican and Latin restaurants, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a solid Chinese/Vietnamese restaurant. Luckily for those who crave Asian cuisine or just something other than fat juicy steaks, May-Wa delivers the best Chinese food for 100 miles.
Hailed as the best Chinese food in the San Luis Valley, May-Wa serves as an exotic foil to the region’s more traditional Mexican cuisine. With their succulent Mongolian Beef, filling chicken rice noodle bowls, and flavorful egg drop soup, May-We brings an affordable meal for lunch or dinner.
If You Go
Hideaway Steakhouse: Location – 1210 8th Street, Alamosa, Co. Phone #: (719) 589-4444.
Bistro Rialto: Location – 716 Main Street, Alamosa, Co. Phone #: (719) 589-3039. Website: http://www.bistrorialto.com
Cavillo’s Mexican Restaurant – 400 Main Street, Alamosa, Co. Phone #: (719) 587-5500.
May-Wa Chinese Restaurant – 620 Main Street, Alamosa, Co. Phone #: (719) 589-9559.
Evan Witt is an Illinois native with a degree in English Literature from Lake Forest College, and as a frequent visitor to Colorado, he enjoys fishing, camping, hiking, and photography.