Signature Dish: The Wapiti Pub & Restaurant in Estes Park - Scratch-Made Colorado Comfort Food on Fall River

If you are looking for a place in Estes Park where the food is made from scratch, the beer list reads like a love letter to Colorado, and the owners actually know your name, the Wapiti Pub & Restaurant on Fall River Road is the kind of spot you need to know about. This is not a chain trying to look local. It is a family-run restaurant with deep roots in the Estes Park community, and the kind of story that makes you appreciate small-town Colorado even more.

In this episode of Signature Dish, Jeff Abel from Signature Home Team sat down with co-owner Tori to hear the story behind the restaurant, explore the menu, and sample their signature dish. Whether you are visiting Estes Park for the weekend or considering making this mountain town your home, the Wapiti is one of those places that defines what living here is all about.

Three Things to Know About the Wapiti Pub & Restaurant

Before we get into the full story, here are three things that set the Wapiti apart:

1. Scratch-Made Everything with a Colorado Twist

The Wapiti kitchen does not cut corners. From hand-dipped beer battered fish and chips to their IPA-braised corned beef Reuben with apple bacon kraut, every dish gets a thoughtful Colorado spin. Their signature southwest pesto shows up across the menu and ties the whole experience together.

2. Colorado's Craft Beer and Whiskey Culture on Full Display

With 10 rotating Colorado beers on tap, roughly 75 beers in cans and bottles, and around 300 whiskey bottles behind the bar, the Wapiti takes its beverage program seriously. Fun fact from Tori: there are actually more distilleries in Colorado than in Kentucky.

3. A Family Story Rooted in Estes Park

Tori and his wife Bernice have been part of the Estes Park restaurant scene since the mid-1990s. They met while working in this very building when it was Nicky's, and the mentor who helped shape their careers played a role in their story right up to the day they opened the new location.

From Nicky's to the Wapiti: A Full-Circle Story

The story of the Wapiti is really the story of a family that has been part of Estes Park's restaurant community for decades. Tori first came to Estes Park in the summer of 1995, working at the old Elkhorn Lodge with a college friend. He moved to town full-time in 1997 and started working in this same building on Fall River Road when it was Nicky's, run by a man named Nick who became both a friend and a mentor.

It was at Nicky's where Tori met his wife, Bernice. He was bartending. She was the hostess. They went on to help open other restaurants in town, including Chelito's downtown, and eventually decided that if they were going to open another restaurant, it would be their own.

In 2005, Nick called to let them know the original Wapiti downtown was for sale. Dennis Roberts had started that location, and Tori and Bernice took it over, cleaned it up, and built it into an Estes Park staple over the next 18 years.

The move to the Fall River Road location came together in 2023 when the family that had purchased the old Nicky's building decided to sell. Tori and Bernice jumped at the chance to return to the building where their story began. They closed the downtown location after Memorial Day weekend and opened the new space on June 20th.

A Bittersweet Opening Day

The opening carried a deeper meaning than anyone expected. Tori had texted Nick on Father's Day, June 18th, to tell him they were about to open in the building where it all started. Nick's granddaughter texted back that he was in hospice. Two days later, on the same afternoon the Wapiti opened its doors at the new location, Nick passed away.

Nick had always been known for his Doer's old fashioneds. That evening, Tori made a couple in his honor. Within days, Nick's family held his reception at the restaurant. As Tori put it, only Nick could have let everyone in Estes Park know they had moved and were open in just five days.

The Space: More Room, More Options

The move from downtown to Fall River Road gave the Wapiti something it never had before: space. The new location includes three indoor dining rooms, a lounge area, a sun room with mountain views, and two outdoor patios. One patio sits on a bridge over the river, and a newer patio was recently built right next to the water where a pool once stood before the 1982 flood.

For groups, this is a big deal. The Wapiti can accommodate private events and larger parties of up to 100 people, with smaller groups of 12 to 20 often able to be seated within 15 to 20 minutes. If you are planning a gathering, you can reach out through their website at thewapitipub.com to check availability.

The added parking at the Fall River location is another welcome change. Downtown parking in Estes Park has gotten tighter over the years, and having a dedicated lot has made it easier for locals and visitors alike to make the Wapiti a regular stop.

The Menu: Scratch-Made Comfort Food with Colorado Character

The Wapiti menu is built around scratch-made dishes that put a Colorado twist on comfort food classics. Here are some of the standouts Tori shared:

Fish and Chips

One of the most popular items on the menu. The Wapiti brings in quality cod and hand-makes their beer batter fresh every day. This dish shows up consistently in online recommendations for the restaurant.

The Reuben

Tori, a Nebraska native, gives this classic sandwich a serious upgrade. The corned beef is cooked with IPA, topped with house-made apple bacon kraut, and finished with their Colorado sauce, a blend of thousand island dressing and southwest pesto. It is a familiar dish made completely their own.

Slow Beef Stroganoff

A chuck roll is slow-roasted and shredded over a two-day process. The result is a rich, hearty stroganoff that has become one of the most popular entrees on the menu.

Cowboy Chow (The Signature Dish)

This is the dish Tori chose for the Signature Dish spotlight, and it has been on the menu for nearly two decades. Cowboy Chow is a southwest-inspired pesto pasta featuring bacon, jalapenos, chicken, peppers, and onions tossed in linguini with a chipotle-forward southwest pesto cream sauce, topped with fresh cilantro and served with garlic bread. It is the kind of dish that captures what the Wapiti does best: familiar flavors with a creative Colorado edge.

Nachos, Wings, Cheesy Ba'corn, and More

The appetizer menu is just as strong. The nachos and wings are crowd favorites, and the cheesy ba'corn is a go-to starter for regulars. Steaks, the patty melt, and the shepherd's pie round out a menu that genuinely has something for everyone.

Dietary-Friendly Options

The Wapiti has invested in being gluten-friendly across much of its menu, including a dedicated gluten-free fryer. That means gluten-free wings, french fries, and other fried items that many restaurants simply cannot offer. They can also accommodate the Cowboy Chow with gluten-free pasta and bread. Vegan diners will find options as well.

The Beer and Whiskey Program

The Wapiti's beverage program is a destination in itself. With 10 beers on tap that rotate constantly and are predominantly Colorado-brewed, plus roughly 75 additional beers available in cans and bottles, the selection caters to craft beer enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. The tap handles from 20 years of rotating beers hang above the bar as a visual history of their commitment to Colorado craft.

The whiskey collection is equally impressive, with around 300 bottles available. Tori started as a Maker's Mark drinker and went deeper into the whiskey world over the past 15 years. The collection features Colorado distilleries prominently, a natural extension of their Colorado-first philosophy. As Tori shared, Colorado actually has more distilleries than Kentucky, and the Wapiti's whiskey shelf reflects that.

If you plan to enjoy the full beverage experience, Jeff noted that the Estes Park free shuttle system includes a route that stops right in front of the Wapiti during summer months, making it easy to enjoy responsibly without worrying about the drive back into town.

Beyond Estes Park: A Family of Restaurants

The Wapiti on Fall River is the flagship, but Tori and his family also operate two other locations in Northern Colorado:

Mariana Butte Golf Course Concession (Loveland)

Since 2014, the family has run the food and beverage concession at Mariana Butte Golf Course in Loveland. The concession handles on-course refreshments, tournament catering, and is open to the public. It is a beautiful location along the Front Range.

The Mayor of Old Town (Fort Collins)

In 2020, the family took over The Mayor of Old Town in Fort Collins, a craft beer destination with 100 beers on tap located where the CSU campus meets Old Town. Their son Avery had been working with the former owner, and the opportunity came together in a way that felt right, even during the uncertainty of 2020. Five years later, it has become a thriving part of the Fort Collins food and drink scene.

Why the Wapiti Matters for the Estes Park Community

Restaurants like the Wapiti are part of what makes Estes Park more than just a vacation destination. When the people behind a business have been part of a community for nearly 30 years, met their spouse in the same building, mentored under a local legend, and built something that brings people together over good food and great drinks, that is the kind of place that defines a town's character.

For anyone considering a move to Estes Park or exploring what daily life looks like in a Colorado mountain community, the local restaurant scene is a real part of the lifestyle. It is where you run into neighbors, celebrate milestones, and feel like part of something. The Wapiti is exactly that kind of place.

Plan Your Visit to the Wapiti Pub & Restaurant

The Wapiti Pub & Restaurant is located at 1350 Fall River Road in Estes Park, Colorado. You can find their full menu, hours, and contact information at thewapitipub.com. For larger groups or private events, use the contact form on their website to check availability. Tell Tori, Bernice, Wes, and Avery that Signature Home Team sent you.

For more on what makes Estes Park a special place to live and visit, check out the Estes Park Living YouTube channel and join the Everything Estes Park Facebook group to stay connected with the community.

Thinking About Making Estes Park Home?

The best part about mountain living is the community you become a part of. From restaurants like the Wapiti to the neighbors you meet on the trails, Estes Park offers a lifestyle that is hard to find anywhere else. At Signature Home Team, we specialize in helping buyers and sellers navigate the Estes Park and Northern Colorado real estate market with local expertise and five-star service.

Whether you are ready to make the move or just starting to explore what mountain living could look like, we would love to be your resource. Reach out today to start the conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Wapiti Pub & Restaurant

Q: Where is the Wapiti Pub & Restaurant located in Estes Park?

A: The Wapiti Pub & Restaurant is located at 1350 Fall River Road in Estes Park, Colorado. The restaurant moved from its longtime downtown location to this larger space on Fall River Road in June 2023.

Q: What type of food does the Wapiti serve?

A: The Wapiti serves scratch-made comfort food with a Colorado twist, including hand-battered fish and chips, IPA-braised Reubens, slow beef stroganoff, their signature Cowboy Chow southwest pesto pasta, steaks, nachos, wings, and more. Much of the menu can be prepared gluten-free, and they have a dedicated gluten-free fryer.

Q: Does the Wapiti have gluten-free options?

A: Yes. The Wapiti has invested in a dedicated gluten-free fryer and offers gluten-free versions of many menu items, including wings, french fries, and their Cowboy Chow pasta with gluten-free noodles and bread. They are well-equipped to handle allergy requests.

Q: How many beers and whiskeys does the Wapiti have?

A: The Wapiti has 10 rotating beers on tap (mostly Colorado), approximately 75 beers in cans and bottles, and around 300 whiskey bottles. Their collection features Colorado distilleries and breweries prominently.

Q: Can the Wapiti accommodate large groups and private events?

A: Yes. The Wapiti can accommodate groups of up to 100 people across three indoor dining rooms and two outdoor patios. Smaller groups of 12 to 20 can often be seated within 15 to 20 minutes. Contact them through thewapitipub.com to plan larger events.

Q: Can you take the free shuttle to the Wapiti?

A: Yes. During summer months, the Estes Park free shuttle system includes a route that stops in front of the Wapiti on Fall River Road, making it easy to enjoy the restaurant's beer and whiskey selection without driving.

Relevant Links and Resources

Featured in This Episode

•       The Wapiti Pub & Restaurant: thewapitipub.com

•       The Mayor of Old Town (Fort Collins): themayorofoldtown.com

•       Mariana Butte Golf Course (Loveland): golfloveland.com/mariana-butte

•       Estes Park Free Shuttle: estespark.colorado.gov/transit

•       Visit Estes Park: visitestespark.com

Signature Home Team Resources

•       Home Buyer Guide: Download Here

•       Home Seller Guide: Download Here

•       FREE Market Report: Sign Up Here

•       Everything Estes Park Facebook Group: Join Here

•       YouTube: Estes Park Living Channel

•       Instagram: @signaturehometeam

•       Facebook: Signature Home Team

•       Home Valuation: Request Yours

•       Preferred Lending Partner - Harriette Woodard: Bank of Colorado Mortgage

About the Author: Jeff Abel is a licensed real estate agent and team lead with Signature Home Team, brokered by Keller Williams Top of the Rockies, specializing in Estes Park and Northern Colorado mountain communities. He shares insights about real estate and mountain living through the Estes Park Living channel.