Next time you’re looking for somewhere new to eat in Colorado Springs, try a restaurant (or food truck) that was featured on TV!

Colorado Springs is no stranger to getting attention on television for its delicious and unique local food. We’ve created a list of some of the local restaurants and food trucks that attract hungry foodies from across the nation. Plus, we’ve included the signature dish that was featured so you can try it yourself!

Paravicini’s Italian Bistro

Paravicini’s is known for their delicious and authentic Italian Cuisine. They were featured on the Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives hosted by Guy Fieri. After tasting the Veal Guiseppe, Guy declared “That’s a real-deal, old school Italian dish!”

Paravicini’s Italian Bistro was opened by Chef Franco in 2003. Chef Franco was raised by Italian immigrants and inherited his passion for Italian food from his mother. He sources as many ingredients as possible from local suppliers and expertly blends the traditional with the contemporary in order to create his upscale Italian dishes.

The dish that was featured on TV: Veal Guiseppe

PigLatin Food Truck

They call their cuisine “food for the people!” This Latin-flavored food truck was also featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. PigLatin Food Truck crafts dishes that make your tastebuds sing. Their signature Stacked Arepa, which was the dish featured on the show, includes pineapple pulled pork, melted mozzarella, sautéed spinach, and sriracha.

Andres and Tricia Velez are the visionaries behind the food truck. Andres brings the Latin flair, while Tricia brings Asian and Polynesian influences to their dishes. They also opened their first brick and mortar location, PigLatin Cochina, in 2018.

The dish that was featured on TV: Stacked Arepa

King’s Chef Diner

This famous purple castle diner serves breakfast, lunch, and one of Colorado’s famous foods, Pueblo green chili. King’s Chef Diner has been featured on TV not once, but twice! First, they were seen on Food Network’s Al Roker’s Diner Destinations, and then again on Outrageous Food with Big Daddy.

King’s Chef Diner was voted Best Diner in Colorado in 2019, and their celebrated green chili is now sold in several Colorado grocery stores. The Diner is known for their large portions, and if a customer can finish their entire meal, they earn a Clean Plate Club sticker.

The dishes that were featured on TV: “The Thing” and “The Grump”

Front Range Barbeque

Front Range Barbeque serves up all your Southern BBQ favorites. On Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Guy Fieri announced that their Sloppy Pig sandwich has “amazing flavors and is smoked to perfection.” And it should since it’s a mouthwatering trio of three meats: tender pulled pork, grilled kielbasa sausage and pecan-smoked bacon.

At Front Range you can order brisket, country fried okra, ribs, coleslaw, southern pecan pie, and much more. They also frequently host live music out on their patio. Here you can grab a craft beer, a plate of southern joy, and enjoy one heck of a night!

The dish that was featured on TV: The Sloppy Pig

Big Stuff Food Truck

Big Stuff Food Truck were the winners of The Great Food Truck Race Season 11! Today they are serving up Colorado comfort food all across the state from the comfort of their new state-of-the-art food truck.

Showcased on TV was their delicious Colorado Poutine. This hearty dish is composed of crispy waffle fries topped with Wisconsin cheese curds and smothered in vegan green chili and chipotle lime crema. This dish comes standard as vegetarian entree, but we highly recommend adding a little Pork Belly (because, no one here is really on a diet, right?!).

The Big Stuff Food Truck operates throughout Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, Greely, Limon and Boulder. You can check their schedule to see where they’re headed to next, or book them to be at your next event, anywhere in the state.

The dish that was featured on TV: Colorado Poutine

Spice Island Grill

This Jamaican restaurant is known for their killer curry goat and jammin’ jerk chicken. Guy Fieri had to give them both a try on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives! The authentic island flavors, along with the reggae music in the background, will have you feeling like you’re dining in the Caribbean.

Spice Island Grill serves up delicacies like fried ripe plantains, Jamaican Patties, and Oxtail Soup. Or try some Jerk Pork, Lobster Tail with Wine Butter, and Ackee Johnny Cake Bites. They now have two locations in the Colorado Springs area, making it even easier for you stop by and try some tasty Island cuisine.

Insider Tip: Spice Island Grill makes appearances on The Original Colorado Springs Food Tour! Visit it plus four other amazing restaurants in downtown Colorado Springs during a fun and delicious culinary experience. 

The dishes that were featured on TV: Jerk Chicken and Curry Goat

Mountain Shadows Restaurant

This staple breakfast and lunch restaurant is known city-wide for their Rocky Mountain Roast Beef Sandwich and Giant Cinnamon Rolls! So, when Guy Fieri made his rounds through Colorado on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, he couldn’t pass by Mountain Shadows Restaurant without trying them.

Their signature sandwich begins with tender, mouth-watering roast beef on a freshly baked bun. Then, they add on bacon and sautéed mushrooms and onions, and then top it off with some melty Swiss cheese – yum!

Mountain Shadows Restaurant is family-owned and operated. They have been serving up delicious breakfast and lunch fare for more than 30 years. Although breakfast is served all day, their scrumptious cinnamon rolls tend to sell out quickly, so if you want to try one, make sure to get there early!

The dish that was featured on TV: Giant Cinnamon Roll

Skirted Heifer

We had to include one final Colorado Springs Diners, Dine-Ins and Dives feature, and that is the Skirted Heifer! At this burger joint the mantra is “Better Beef, Better Bun, Better Burger.” Their juicy patties are made from Frontière Natural Meats Grass-Fed Beef raised locally in Colorado. Plus, all their sauces, condiments, and pickles are homemade!

At the Skirted Heifer, they don’t compromise on quality or on their commitment to the environment. They’ve implemented several eco-conscious practices and try to source as many local ingredients as possible. If you’re not sure which burger to order, go with The Hangover—Guy Fieri dubbed it a “must-try.”

The dish that was featured on TV: The Hangover Burger

We hope this list inspires you to try something new in Colorado Springs. And of course, if you want a really fun culinary adventure, join us for a food tour! We’ll take you to some of the best places around town. You’ll get to sample delicious food, enjoy some tasty drinks, and learn about the local history. Check out the tours we offer here.

Cheers, Your Rocky Mountain Food Tours Team

(So, what’s a food tour, anyway…?)

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