Whitewater Rooftop Social — Restaurant in Cañon City

I want to start by saying that I'm leaving this comment not as a way to bring this place down, but to hopefully give feedback on things that are a bit frustrating as a customer. Hopefully, they can make changes (if they care to do so).

First of all, this place is really cool inside and the layout is pretty sweet. The outdoor seating is really nice and it's a bustling spot close to the river.

I also love that they bring water to the table and the lavender lemonade is great.

The service is not very good. One of the last times I was there, our server, a young blonde girl, took at least 15-20 minutes between table visits and forgot to bring drinks after we asked for them numerous times. She was horribly inattentive, forgetful, and severely lacked a sense of urgency, almost as if she didn't care. As a person with years of experience as a lead server, it was incredibly frustrating. I really hope the staff can provide better training and offer a bit better attention to guests.

On another note, I would say the prices do sort of match competing restaurants, but they are still pretty steep.

For example, another time I was there (I've only been three times so far, two of which were not positive visits), I ordered a caesar salad. And I had seen the price and was questioning it even though I was still going to pay for it. Perhaps it would be a big salad? It was not. I was immensely shocked this small caesar salad without any sort of protein on it was $17. That is an absurd price for what looks like a simple side salad. With shrimp or chicken, $17 makes sense, but with just the lettuce and dressing, not a $17 meal. My boyfriend's meatball sandwich and chips were cheaper than my salad, which by the way, he could probably get that same meatball sandwich at Subway and save $7.

Also, $9.00 for a can of craft beer is a bit crazy.

As another suggestion, the corn dip is good but it would be SO much better if it was hot. When it came out and I discovered it was cold, I was pretty disappointed because for some reason I thought it would be a hot dish.

Also, the chairs at the round tables inside are definitely not comfortable or suitable for people with big backsides. It would be great to have something much more comfortable to sit in.

And also, (a writer's pet peeve) sandwich is spelled wrong on the menus. If it was intentional, that's cool, but if it's not, it's definitely not spelled "sandwhich."

Right now, I would not recommend this place to anyone, especially with steeply priced menu items you can definitely get cheaper at any other establishment in town. But this place is also rather new and is probably figuring things out so I'll give them grace for that.

Overall, I would give Rooftop Social a 2.5.

I am happy revisit and hope to see improvements. I hope to see them up their game and thrive as a...

Review: The Skimpiest Reuben Sandwich Known to Man ⭐☆☆☆☆ (1 out of 5 pickles)

I don’t know what I ordered, but it sure as hell wasn’t a Reuben. This was more like a Reub-off.

Let’s start with the meat—because they sure didn’t. I peeled open the sandwich expecting a mountain of corned beef, and instead found what looked like the paper they use to separate real slices. I’ve seen more meat in a vegan cookbook. I don’t know if they were trying to save money or if someone just forgot, but this sandwich was emptier than a politician’s promise.

The Swiss cheese was there in spirit. Like, maybe it had been present in the kitchen once? Possibly within whispering distance of the bread? Because it definitely wasn’t in the sandwich. The sauerkraut was a single, limp strand—like it wandered in by mistake and got stuck. And the Russian dressing? MIA. Probably off doing better things with its life.

The whole thing was pressed flat like it had lost the will to live. I picked it up and it drooped sadly, like a sandwich that had just received bad news.

I came in hungry. I left confused, emotionally betrayed, and still hungry. I didn’t know whether to ask for a refund or a hug.

If you’re craving a real Reuben, this place isn’t it. But if you’ve ever wondered what a Reuben after a tax audit looks like, this sandwich is...

The atmosphere and service is where it is at and where it ends.

The menu is extremely underwhelming. For this place to be a “social” gathering with only small eats, there is a lot left to be desired. Everything they prepared appeared to be something that was all prepackaged and put on a plate to be serviced cold or heated up.

The menu does not have prices, and for what prices are, you are better off putting your money towards some actual quality drinks and food to a place putting the effort in instead of this place.

The drinks are made by your server, so no fault to them that they are in this position, but you are not getting anything special. The cocktails are basic, none of these employs are actually there for the talent of cocktail making but instead just pouring.

The wine/beer/canned cocktails menu is a bunch of basic, unoriginal brands you can buy anywhere that are extremely overpriced.

This place is an extension of the well known Whitewater Bar and Grill, but Rooftop Social appears to be an extremely lazy afterthought to just bring in another revenue. Do better owners. Locals were excited for you to bring something exciting like this to the area, but your attempt to make something ended with the building itself. Get some talent in there and make a menu beyond just overpriced...