Zia Taqueria and Ska Brewing: A Durango Power Combo
Some Durango combinations just work. Mountains and powder. Rivers and fly rods. Hot tubs and cold beer. And if you're looking for the perfect après-ski or post-adventure meal-and-drink combo, it's hard to beat Zia Taqueria and Ska Brewing.
These two Durango institutions represent what makes this town great: quality, authenticity, and zero pretense. Here's why this pairing should be on your list.
Zia Taqueria: Durango's Fast-Casual Mexican Done Right
Zia Taqueria has been a Durango staple for years, earning its reputation through consistency, quality, and generous portions. It's the kind of place locals hit twice a week and visitors discover on Day 1 and return to every day after.
The Setup: Zia operates on a fast-casual build-your-own model. You start with a base — burrito, bowl, tacos, quesadilla, nachos, or salad — and customize from there. Choose your protein (carne asada, grilled chicken, carnitas, fish, or veggie), add beans, rice, cheese, salsas, guac, and toppings. The line moves fast even when it's busy.
The Star: Green Chile. Zia's green chile is what keeps people coming back. It's flavorful, has the right amount of heat, and works on everything. Get it on your burrito, in your bowl, or on the side for dipping chips. It's a must.
What to Order: The burrito is the go-to — huge, well-constructed, and filling. The fish tacos (grilled mahi or battered cod) are excellent if you're tired of beef and pork. The carne asada is consistently good. If you want something lighter, the salad with chipotle ranch or lime cilantro vinaigrette is a solid choice.
Daily specials like enchiladas, chiles rellenos, and ceviche shrimp tostadas rotate through and are worth trying when available.
Two Locations:
- Zia North — 2977 Main Avenue (north end of downtown)
- Zia South — 400 S. Camino del Rio (south side, easier parking)
Both are open 7 days a week, roughly 11 AM to 8-9 PM depending on season. Lines peak around lunch and dinner, but they move quickly.
Pricing: You're looking at $10-14 for a burrito or bowl, maybe $15-17 if you load it up with extras. Compared to sit-down restaurants, it's a great value, especially given the portion sizes.
Vibe: Casual, bright, efficient. Order at the counter, grab a table, eat, and go. It's not a lingering spot — it's fuel done well.
Ska Brewing: Durango's Original Craft Brewery
Ska Brewing has been brewing in Durango since 1995, founded by Dave Thibodeau and Bill Graham. The name and branding revolve around ska music and rude boy culture, which gives the place a fun, irreverent personality that fits Durango perfectly.
The brewery's World Headquarters Tasting Room is located at 225 Girard Street in the Bodo Industrial Park. It's not fancy — it's a working brewery with a taproom attached, which is exactly what a craft brewery should be.
The Beer: Ska's lineup includes year-round flagships, rotating seasonals, and small-batch experimental releases. Everything is brewed on-site and poured fresh. Some highlights:
- Modus Hoperandi IPA — Ska's flagship. Hoppy, balanced, drinkable. If you like IPAs, start here.
- True Blonde Ale — Light, crisp, refreshing. Perfect after a hike or a long day skiing.
- Mexicali Stout — A stout brewed with coffee, cinnamon, and peppers. Bold and unique.
- Steel Toe Stout — Rich, smooth, classic oatmeal stout. Great in winter.
- Euphoria Pale Ale — Floral, citrusy, easy-drinking pale ale.
The taproom features 20+ beers on tap, including limited releases you won't find anywhere else. Flights are available if you want to sample a few.
The Vibe: The tasting room is casual and welcoming. Industrial aesthetic, communal tables, friendly staff who know their beer. Dogs are welcome on the patio. Food trucks rotate through, so you can grab something to eat while you drink (though Zia-then-Ska is the superior move).
Live music, trivia nights, and events happen regularly. Check their social media for the schedule.
Pricing: Pints run $6-8. Flights are around $10-12. Growler fills are available if you want to take beer back to your condo.
Hours: Typically open 11 AM to 9 PM daily, but check their website for current hours.
The Power Combo: How to Do Zia + Ska
Here's the move:
Option 1 (Dinner Flow): Hit Zia for an early dinner around 5:30-6 PM. Get a burrito or bowl, eat, and then walk or drive to Ska for a couple pints around 7 PM. Spend an hour or two at the brewery, then head back to your condo for hot tub time.
Option 2 (Reverse Flow): Start at Ska around 4 PM for après-ski beers. Have a pint or two, then head to Zia for dinner around 6 PM. This works well if you want to get off the mountain, shower, and go straight to the brewery.
Option 3 (Weekend Lunch): Zia for lunch, then Ska for a post-lunch beer. This is a solid non-dinner option if you're cooking at the condo that night.
Cost for two people: Zia dinner ($25-30) + Ska beers ($15-20) = $40-50 total. Compare that to a sit-down restaurant in Vail where you'd easily spend $100+ for similar quality.
Why This Combo Works
Both places are unpretentious, locally-loved, and genuinely good. You're not paying for ambiance or branding — you're paying for quality food and beer made by people who care about what they're doing. That's the Durango ethos in a nutshell.
After a long day skiing at Purgatory — whether you're staying at Basecamp or Timberline — the Zia and Ska combo is the perfect way to wind down without breaking the bank or dressing up.
Other Durango Dining Worth Knowing
If you want to branch out beyond Zia and Ska:
- Steamworks Brewing Company (downtown) — Another solid brewery with a full restaurant menu, operating since 1996
- Carver Brewing (downtown) — Local brewery with acclaimed food
- Ken & Sue's (downtown) — Upscale dining, great for a special night
- Serious Texas Bar-B-Q — If you want smoked meats
- Fired Up Pizzeria — Wood-fired pizza, local favorite
But honestly, you could hit Zia and Ska three times in a week and not get bored.
The Bigger Picture
Durango's dining scene is one of the reasons we chose Purgatory over the big I-70 resorts. It's a real town with real restaurants serving real people, not just tourists. The food is good, the prices are reasonable, and the vibe is authentic.
When you stay at one of our properties — Basecamp or Timberline — you're close enough to the resort to ski easily, but you're also positioned perfectly to explore Durango's food and brewery scene. It's the best of both worlds.
Planning your trip to Purgatory? Check availability and book direct — save 10-15% vs Airbnb/VRBO.
