High Mountain Pies
114 West 4th Street
Leadville, Colorado
719-486-5555
by Chris McGinnis
Tucked a bit out of the way in Leadville, High Mountain Pies pizzeria is housed in a bluebird-colored building about a half block off Harrison Avenue on West Fourth Street. It is a small yet comfortable, cute, family-friendly, homey place.
Ample servings of fresh, high-quality ingredients go into the offerings here. Most menu items are homemade. The result is consistently delicious, distinctive, flavorful pies, sandwiches and more.
The staff is engaging, friendly and happy to discuss their menu items to make a recommendation. The service is excellent.
Owners Tim and Vicky Koch opened the pizzeria as a takeout location more than eight years ago, literally as a mom and pop venture. It retains that feel, though its volume has grown and they now employ up to 15 people. Customers may watch their food being prepared in the open kitchen and can even talk with the chefs.
Pizza is our customary order, but there are a number of items on the menu, including submarine sandwiches, salads, wings, calzones and St. Louis cut ribs.
Customers may choose something traditional like a pepperoni or build their own pizzas with more specialty varieties. The crust on the pies is a notable balance of crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside. No soggy, doughy concoctions here.
The Crocodile features shrimp, jalapeno, bacon and cream cheese. The San Luis includes pork, green chiles, Manchego cheese, fresh avocado and cilantro. The Carnivore is a go-to for those who like their pizza hearty and includes plenty of pepperoni, sausage, ham and bacon. Pizzas may be split, i.e. half pepperoni, half Crocodile.
“We do everything possible here from scratch,” Vicky said. For example, they make their own sausage, grinding, cooking, and seasoning about 140 pounds a week during summer months.
Salads are piled high with fresh organic greens and other ingredients, such as the baby spinach salad with red onion, red bell pepper, dried cherry, candied walnuts and blue cheese. Croutons are homemade. The Italian sandwich ordered on our visit was chock-full of a variety of fresh-cut meats, an olive mix, lettuce, tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette. It was served on a large crusty, chewy oven-roasted baguette. The verdict: Delicious.
Homemade brownies and jumbo cookies make a fine dessert. There are several bottled sodas, flavored waters and Coke products that can be ordered to accompany your meal. No alcohol is served.
A number of people pop in and take HMPs unbaked dough and sides of pesto, dressings, anchovies and pizza sauce home for their own creations.
Each meal is cooked to order. You can even stroll around the historic neighborhood while your food is prepared. Check out the House with the Eye Museum down the street.
There is outdoor seating on a patio next to the building. A backyard area is also available and has several tables, a couple of disc golf holes and a climber/ slide for the kids to enjoy while you chat and soak up a mountain afternoon or evening. Vicky’s wildflowers grow throughout. Tim was in the process of constructing a new shade pergola for diners in back while we were there. Indoor seating is available for about 12 people.
