This Classic Colorado Roadside Spot Still Serves Comfort Plates That Stand The Test Of Time
Right outside Fort Collins sits Vern’s Place, a Colorado favorite that’s been around since the late 1940s. It started as a small gas station and tackle shop where travelers could grab a bite before heading into the mountains.
Over time, it turned into the kind of café where families gather for breakfast and neighbors stop by just to say hello. The recipes haven’t changed much, and that’s what people love about it.
There’s comfort in knowing you can order the same hearty meal your grandparents once enjoyed, all at a place that still feels like home.
A Humble Beginning That Lasted Decades
Back in 1946, this place opened as a tiny roadside stop with just a gas pump and a few tables inside. Fishermen grabbed tackle and a quick bite before heading up the Poudre Canyon.
Over the years, the gas pump disappeared, but the cafe kept growing. What started as a pit stop turned into a full-service restaurant where families gather for Sunday breakfast and weeknight suppers.
The old photos on the walls tell the story better than words ever could. You can see the building expand, the menu grow, and the faces change while the spirit stayed exactly the same.
Cinnamon Rolls That Deserve Their Own Zip Code
Walk in on any morning and you’ll see at least three tables with one of these monsters sitting in the center. They’re as big as a dinner plate and covered in a blanket of sweet icing that melts into every crevice.
I watched a couple split one last spring, and they still had trouble finishing it. The kitchen will even turn it into cinnamon-roll French toast if you want to go all in on sweetness.
People drive from Fort Collins just to grab a box for the office or bring home for the weekend. That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident.
Pressure-Fried Chicken Worth The Wait
Most places just drop chicken in a fryer and hope for the best. Here, they use a pressure fryer that locks in moisture while crisping up the outside to a perfect crunch.
The result is chicken that stays juicy even after it cools down a bit. Locals know to order it on Friday nights when the kitchen cranks out batch after batch for the dinner rush.
You can get it as a full dinner plate or order a family pack to take home. Either way, you’ll understand why people keep coming back for more.
Diner Classics Done Right Every Time
Chicken-fried steak arrives at your table with a blanket of country gravy that soaks into the crispy breading just enough. The mashed potatoes are real, not instant, and the vegetables actually have flavor.
They also serve trout, meatloaf, and pot roast depending on the day. Each dish follows the same formula of simple ingredients cooked the way your grandmother would have done it.
Nothing here tries to be fancy or modern. The menu sticks to what works, and that approach has kept tables full for nearly eighty years.
Starting With Dessert Makes Perfect Sense
The staff won’t blink if you order a cinnamon roll before your main course. In fact, plenty of regulars do exactly that, treating it like an appetizer to share while they wait for their entrees.
One waitress told me she sees families split one at the start, then order savory plates, and still have room for pie at the end. It sounds backwards, but somehow it works.
If you show up hungry and try to save the roll for last, you’ll probably be too full to enjoy it. Trust the locals on this one and flip the script.
New Owners Kept The Soul Intact
In 2023, the team behind Fort Collins’ Silver Grill Cafe took over operations. Instead of changing everything, they focused on preserving the recipes and the feel that made Vern’s special in the first place.
They brought a renewed commitment to making things from scratch and keeping portion sizes generous. The menu still reads like it did decades ago, with the same comfort staples people expect.
Regulars were nervous at first, but most agree the transition has been smooth. The new stewards understand that some places shouldn’t be reinvented, just maintained with care.
Portions Built For Real Appetites
Order a dinner plate and you’ll get enough food to take home leftovers. The family fried-chicken packs come with enough pieces to feed four or five people, plus all the sides you need.
I’ve seen couples order one entree and split it without leaving hungry. The kitchen doesn’t skimp on anything, from the pile of mashed potatoes to the stack of pancakes at breakfast.
If you’re feeding a crew or just want to stretch your dollar, this place delivers. Nobody walks out wishing they’d gotten more food.
A Documented Piece Of Local History
The walls inside are covered with old photographs showing the building at different stages, from the single-pump gas station to the expanded dining room. Regional magazines and newspapers have featured the place dozens of times over the decades.
Long-time patrons bring in their own photos to add to the collection. You’ll see snapshots of birthday parties, anniversary dinners, and even a few wedding receptions held in the back room.
It’s more than just a restaurant at this point. Vern’s has become a living archive of the community, a spot where multiple generations have shared meals and made memories together.