by Suzy Patterson
Barry’s Den Café
27077 US Hwy. 50
Texas Creek, CO
(719) 275-3275
Need a great excuse to visit Texas Creek, Colorado?
Two words: “Barry’s Den.”
This unassuming little roadside café pretty much is Texas Creek. You’ll find it about midway between Salida and Cañon City on U.S. 50 at the junction of Hwy. 69. There’s not much else there except a couple of defunct gas pumps, a rafting and ATV tour operation, a herd of bighorn sheep hangin’ around and the Arkansas River flowing by. But the Barry family’s signature “Howlin’ Good Cookin’” definitely has put Texas Creek on the map.
There’s something satisfying about finding an honest little café that simply and consistently does everything right: good, fresh, hearty food, cordial, attentive service and happily affordable prices. The priciest item on the extensive menu is $7.95 – for a savory Mexican pork chop dinner, complete with salad and choice of potato, vegetable and Texas toast.
The place is usually filled with “regulars” from near and far who return often for a fix of Barry’s incomparable green chile or gooey, frisbee-sized cinnamon rolls, down-home American and Mexican menu choices and downright suicidal desserts.
Barry’s eight-page menu is packed with tempting favorites. Breakfast alone offers 40 menu choices ranging from perfectly prepared eggs with all the trimmings to fluffy pancakes, corned beef hash, huevos rancheros, skillet breakfasts (including the popular Veggie Skillet), oatmeal and omelets. Lunch is a huge range of hearty American and Mexican dishes, plus “baskets” accompanied by fries and Texas toast and fresh specialty salads served in a crispy tortilla bowl. Dinner is all of the above, plus chicken, fish, beef, BBQ and vegetarian meals. Barry’s famous homemade desserts are over the top.
A sign by the kitchen doors says, “Mr. Good-Lookin’ is Cookin’” (although somebody suspiciously has crossed out “Mr.” and scrawled in “Mrs.”) In any event, you can be sure one of the Barrys is cookin’, because the place is entirely family-owned and operated. Everything they serve is home-made fresh and prepared to order. Mark Barry and/or his wife Brandy usually are tending the stove; with daughters Kassie, Codie, Alexis and Shelby bringing your food with a smile and making sure your coffee cup is always full.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for glitzy atmosphere, Barry’s mishmash of “Western eclectic funk” decor definitely ain’t it. The pine-panelled walls are dotted with antique artifacts, local artwork and cheeky signs; a blazing fire in the heat stove keeps the place cozy, and a giant fish tank provides a bemusing contrast to the otherwise country atmosphere. The cafe also serves as a one-stop “general store” for forgetful campers, fishermen, rafters and tourists – so you can buy limited groceries, outdoor supplies, local crafts, souvenirs, postcards and snacks too.
The modest little café’s menu closes with this line: “When you’re full of all that fun, come on down and we’ll make your tummy happy with some home cooked meals.”
Winter/Spring hours: Sat-Thur 7 am-3 pm; Fri 7 am-7 pm
Summer/Fall hours: Thur-Sat 7am-8pm; Sun-Wed 7am-3pm
