34094 U S Hwy 285
Villa Grove, CO 81155
719-655-2203
Above and beyond your standard burger fare, the Villa Grove Trade & Café is a favorite for locals and travelers passing through the San Luis Valley. Located right off Hwy. 285 in the tiny hamlet of Villa Grove, “the Trade” is the heart of this small, yet diverse, community. It’s where the men gather for “Ranching 101” and brewed coffee talk every morning, while telecommuters hook up their laptops to the high speed internet access and sip their espressos and lattes.
Operated as a general store since 1882, the Villa Grove Trade is a grocery, convenience and gift store featuring local artistry and crafts, as well as a café and specialty coffeehouse. Visitors will find daily lunch specials, coupled with renowned onion rings and sweet potato fries – all with pastries and pies or dairy and gluten-free desserts available. Owner Amber Shook’s delicious homemade fruit and cream pies deserve their regional reputation.
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Breakfasts are hearty, with eggs or burritos and numerous choices and sides. Lunch meals are sandwiches with chicken, fish and/or beef burgers – tasty and garnished with fresh ingredients. Buffalo burgers and chili are also offered, along with vegetarian and dairy-free options. You can choose a small or large portion according to your appetite. The above-average sandwich bread and rolls come from a European bakery in Pueblo. The Tradito Coffeehouse (next door to the Trade – same owners) has quality, organic fair-trade espressos and fine coffees. Microbrews and wine are also available.
“All meals are freshly prepared to order with as much locally grown and organic produce as possible,” says Amber, who, together with her husband Jeff, daughter Jessie and son-in-law Denny DuBoe, keep the Trade viable and run as a family-owned business. As the friendly owners and resident chefs, artists and baristas, the Shooks took over the Trade five years prior and even offer affordable rooms in the small motel on the property.
It’s a perfect place to stop on the way home for some friendly conversation, entertainment and a good wholesome meal after a soak in the neighboring hot springs.
Picked For •Good-sized portions • reasonable prices • inviting atmosphere • super clean restrooms.
Hours of operation: 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Fridays – Sundays (Open until 7 p.m. from Memorial to Labor Day)
Every second and fourth Sunday of the month the Trade offers a dinner special by Chef Denny in conjunction with live music by local talents.
