Serious Texas BBQ and Animas Brewing: Durango Comfort Food
Sometimes you just need brisket and a beer. No fancy plating, no molecular gastronomy, no wine pairings — just solid comfort food and a cold pint. Durango has you covered with Serious Texas BBQ and Animas Brewing Company, two local staples that deliver maximum satisfaction with zero pretense.
Serious Texas BBQ: The Real Deal
Serious Texas Bar-B-Q opened in Durango in 2000 and quickly became the go-to spot for anyone craving authentic Texas-style barbecue in the Colorado mountains. The founder, Craig Miller (no relation, but respect to a fellow Craig), competed on the BBQ circuit for years before opening the restaurant, and you can taste the difference that experience makes.
The menu is straightforward: brisket, ribs, pulled pork, chicken, sausage, and all the classic sides. No fusion experiments. No BBQ tacos with kale slaw. Just proper smoked meat done the right way.
What to Order
Brisket is the move. It's smoked low and slow for 14+ hours until it develops a perfect bark on the outside and stays tender and juicy inside. Get it sliced, not chopped — you want those clean cuts that show the smoke ring. The fat cap is rendered down to buttery goodness, and the meat pulls apart with minimal effort.
Ribs (pork or beef) are another solid choice. The pork ribs have that classic St. Louis-style trim and come off the bone clean. The meat is smoky, slightly sweet from the rub, and doesn't need sauce (though they have multiple options if you want it).
Pulled pork is tangy and tender with a nice balance of bark and soft interior meat. It's not swimming in sauce, which is how it should be — the smoke flavor comes through first.
Sides include mac and cheese (creamy, not soupy), coleslaw (vinegar-based, cuts through the richness of the meat), baked beans (sweet with chunks of brisket mixed in), and cornbread (slightly sweet, perfect for soaking up sauce).
The Experience
Serious Texas BBQ operates counter-service style. You order at the front, grab your tray, and find a seat. The vibe is casual and family-friendly — ski pants, hiking boots, and road-trip clothes are the dress code. The portions are generous. A two-meat plate with sides will easily feed two people if you're not starving, or one person if you've just skied all day and earned it.
They're open daily from 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM, but here's the catch: they sell out. On busy days (weekends, holidays, summer peak season), they can run out of certain meats by early afternoon. If you want brisket or ribs, get there before 2 PM to be safe. Running out is actually a good sign — it means everything is fresh and they're not reheating yesterday's batch.
There are two Durango locations: North (3535 Main Ave) and South (5 Girard St). Both are solid, though the North location is more convenient if you're coming from Purgatory or staying near downtown.
Expect to spend around $15-25 per person for a full meal with sides. It's not cheap, but the portions and quality justify the price.
Animas Brewing Company: Neighborhood Taproom Done Right
Animas Brewing Company (1560 E 2nd Ave) is the neighborhood brewery you wish every town had. It's smaller and more intimate than the big Durango breweries (Steamworks, Ska), with a focus on European-inspired styles and a laid-back taproom vibe.
Founded by locals who wanted to create a community gathering spot, Animas Brewing focuses on quality over hype. They're not chasing the latest IPA trend or trying to win medals at big festivals. They're just making clean, well-executed beers that pair well with conversation and good company.
The Beer
Animas Brewing leans heavily into German and Belgian styles, which is refreshing in a craft beer landscape dominated by hoppy IPAs and pastry stouts.
Kolsch is one of their flagships — a light, crisp, slightly fruity ale that's perfect after a day on the trails or the river. It's clean and refreshing without being boring, and it's dangerously easy to drink multiple pints.
Hefeweizen is another standout. Cloudy, banana and clove notes from the yeast, smooth wheat body. It's a proper Bavarian-style hefe, not the overly sweet or overly spiced versions you sometimes see.
They usually have a pilsner or lager on tap — clean, crisp, and a great palate cleanser if you've been eating BBQ or rich food all day.
Seasonal rotations include märzens, dunkels, and occasionally a Belgian dubbel or tripel. If you're an IPA person, they'll have one or two hoppy options, but this isn't an IPA-first brewery.
The Taproom
The Animas Brewing taproom is cozy and inviting — wood tables, local art on the walls, a small bar with stools, and a patio for warmer days. It's the kind of place where locals come to unwind after work, not where tourists show up in tour groups looking for Instagram moments (though you're welcome to do that too).
They serve food — usually a rotating menu of pizzas, sandwiches, burgers, and comfort food designed to pair with the beers. The kitchen isn't trying to be a full restaurant, but what they do is solid and hits the spot.
Hours vary by day (check their site or Facebook for current hours), but they're typically open afternoons and evenings, with slightly shorter hours on Mondays.
Why It Works
Animas Brewing isn't flashy. They're not winning national awards or distributing across multiple states. But they're exactly what a neighborhood brewery should be: consistent, welcoming, and focused on making good beer for the people who live nearby. If you're visiting Durango and want to experience the local scene (not just the tourist scene), Animas Brewing is it.
The Combo: BBQ + Beer Done Right
Here's the move: grab a late lunch or early dinner at Serious Texas BBQ (brisket plate, mac and cheese, coleslaw). Eat until you're comfortably full but not stuffed. Then walk or drive over to Animas Brewing and order a kolsch or hefeweizen to wash it all down.
Or reverse it: start with a beer (or two) at Animas, then head to Serious Texas and crush a brisket plate. The total damage to your wallet will be minimal compared to a fancy sit-down restaurant. The total damage to your belt might be significant, but you're on vacation — that's what the hot tub at Basecamp or Timberline is for.
Both spots are casual, approachable, and deliver exactly what they promise. No surprises, no letdowns. Just good food and good beer in a town that knows how to do comfort right.
After Your Meal
If you're staying at one of our properties near Purgatory, the drive back is easy and scenic (about 25 minutes north on US-550). You'll pass through the Animas Valley with views of the surrounding peaks, and if you're coming back at sunset, it's one of those drives where you'll want to pull over and take a photo.
Both Basecamp and Timberline have full kitchens and hot tubs, so you can either cook in or eat out — whatever fits your vibe. After a day of skiing, hiking, or exploring Durango, coming back to a hot tub and a cold beer is the move.
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Planning a trip to Purgatory? Check availability and book direct — save 10-15% vs Airbnb/VRBO.
