13 Forgotten Colorado Snacks That Only Longtime Locals Still Remember
Colorado’s food history is filled with one-of-a-kind snacks that may have slipped out of the spotlight but still hold a special place in the hearts of longtime locals.
From roadside favorites to regional specialties, these overlooked treats reflect the unique flavors and character of the Centennial State.
Here’s a look at the beloved bites that true Coloradans haven’t forgotten.
1. Rocky Mountain Oysters: The Daring Delicacy
Not actually seafood at all! These battered and fried bull testicles were once the ultimate Colorado dare food, served at iconic spots like the Buckhorn Exchange since 1893.
I remember my dad ordering these for unsuspecting out-of-state relatives, then howling with laughter when they’d ask what they were eating.
Despite their eyebrow-raising origin, they remain a crispy, protein-packed snack that screams authentic Colorado.
2. Casa Bonita’s Honey-Soaked Sopapillas
Raise that little red flag and prepare for sugar-dusted heaven! These puffy fried dough pillows were the sweet finale to any meal at Lakewood’s pink palace entertainment restaurant.
Generations of Coloradans remember frantically waving the table flag to summon servers carrying baskets of these warm treats.
The sopapillas came with squeeze bottles of honey, creating sticky fingers and faces – the perfect ending to an evening of cliff divers and Black Bart’s Cave.
3. Johnson’s Corner Cinnamon Rolls: Roadtrip Royalty
These legendary pastries were bigger than your face and gooey enough to require a stack of napkins. For decades, no journey along I-25 was complete without stopping at this iconic truck stop for their mammoth cinnamon-swirled masterpieces.
The rolls came slathered in thick cream cheese frosting that melted into every crevice. Though the original owners sold the place years ago, longtime Coloradans still measure all other cinnamon rolls against these roadside behemoths.
4. The Pueblo Slopper: Messy Masterpiece
Behold the glorious mess that is the Slopper! This Pueblo creation drowns an open-faced cheeseburger in spicy green chile until it becomes a knife-and-fork affair. My first Slopper experience at Gray’s Coors Tavern involved a bib and multiple napkins.
The locals taught me to mix the whole thing into a delicious soup-like concoction. While some touristy places offer tame versions, true Coloradans know it should be spicy enough to make your nose run.
5. Fool’s Gold Loaf: Elvis’s Colorado Obsession
The sandwich that brought The King to Colorado in the middle of the night! This heart-stopping creation from the now-closed Colorado Mine Company restaurant featured a hollowed-out loaf of bread stuffed with a jar of peanut butter, a jar of jelly, and a pound of crispy bacon.
Elvis Presley famously flew his private jet from Memphis to Denver just to get this $50 sandwich. Weighing in at 8,000 calories, this legendary indulgence has become more myth than menu item, but old-timers still talk about it with reverence.
6. Beau Jo’s Mountain Pie: Colorado-Style Pizza
Forget New York or Chicago – Colorado has its own pizza style! These behemoths feature a hand-rolled edge thick enough to hold honey for dessert. Beau Jo’s pioneered these mountain pies, selling them by the pound rather than by the diameter.
The braided crust becomes a sweet treat when drizzled with local honey – a tradition that bewilders out-of-staters but delights natives. The Idaho Springs original location remains a pilgrimage site for Coloradans craving a taste of home.
7. Boulder Canyon Kettle Chips: Hippie Crunch
Before artisanal chips were everywhere, Boulder Canyon was crafting these extra-crunchy kettle-cooked treasures in flavors that reflected Colorado’s health-conscious vibe. Remember when finding the Malt Vinegar & Sea Salt variety felt like striking gold?
Back in the ’90s, my college roommate and I would splurge on these as our fancy snack when studying. The thick-cut potatoes and satisfying crunch made them the premium alternative to mass-produced chips, establishing them as the unofficial snack of Boulder’s outdoor enthusiasts.
8. Enstrom’s Almond Toffee: The Holiday Essential
This buttery, chocolate-covered almond toffee from Grand Junction has been Colorado’s premier gift candy since 1929. The distinctive white box with blue lettering signaled a special occasion in Colorado households.
Watching the candy-makers pour the molten toffee onto marble slabs at the factory was a Western Slope childhood highlight.
The perfect balance of sweet and salt made these addictive squares disappear quickly, though grandparents statewide were known to hide pieces in candy dishes year-round.
9. Palisade Peach Snow Cone: Summer’s Perfect Treat
Found only at Western Slope summer festivals, these snow cones used syrup made from real Palisade peaches rather than artificial flavors. The syrup captured the essence of Colorado’s famous fruit in a refreshing frozen form.
When I was ten, my grandfather would drive us an hour just to get these at the Palisade Peach Festival. The syrup would be made fresh that morning, creating a flavor impossible to replicate elsewhere. As the cone melted, it transformed into nature’s perfect peach nectar.
10. Olathe Sweet Corn Ice Cream: Controversial Confection
Only true Colorado food adventurers remember when small-batch ice cream shops would create this seasonal specialty during the August corn harvest. The sweet corn flavor created a surprisingly delicious frozen treat that captured summer in a scoop.
Local creameries would steep fresh Olathe corn in cream, creating a subtle, sweet flavor that confused tourists but delighted locals.
Often topped with a sprinkle of sea salt or even a drizzle of honey, this peculiar flavor celebrated Colorado’s agricultural bounty in the most unexpected way.
11. Pueblo Chile Jerky: Spicy Road Snack
Long before craft jerky became trendy, roadside stands in southern Colorado sold this fiery dried beef infused with the distinctive heat of Pueblo chiles.
Each bite delivered a slow burn that built with intensity. Handmade by local ranchers, the jerky came in hand-labeled plastic bags with varying heat levels. The best versions had visible flecks of red and green chile pressed into the meat.
This protein-packed snack fueled many a mountain adventure, leaving fingers tingling with that unmistakable Pueblo chile warmth.
12. The Original Coney Island Hot Dog: Roadside Wonder
Served inside a building shaped like a 42-foot-long hot dog, these classic franks were the ultimate road trip destination food. The quirky Bailey landmark dished up simple but perfect hot dogs in steamed buns with just the right snap.
What made them special wasn’t fancy toppings but the experience of eating inside the giant wiener structure. Kids would beg parents to stop at the “hot dog building” visible from Highway 285.
Though the building has moved locations over the years, the nostalgic taste remains unchanged.
13. Honey Stinger Waffles: The Mountain Town Energy Boost
Before they went national, these honey-filled stroopwafel-inspired snacks were the secret energy food of Steamboat Springs locals. Tucked into jacket pockets for ski days, they provided the perfect chairlift snack.
Created by a local Steamboat company, these thin waffle sandwiches filled with honey became cult favorites among Colorado outdoor enthusiasts. The portable, not-too-sweet energy boost was perfect for high-altitude adventures.
Old-timers remember when you could only find them in small mountain town shops before they hit REI shelves nationwide.