James Ranch Grill — Restaurant in Durango

Stopped here because my buddy had been here before and wanted me to try. You order at this cute little cart when You go inside the little store to pay. They had a little menu but man after trying the food, what they do make is so delicious. I asked for a suggestion and was told the signature burger was popular so I ordered it. I like my meat medium plus I added New Mexico green Chile and an egg. We went inside the store to pay for our order and I was a bit disappointed. They didn't have a selection of refreshments, pretty much water and some flavored water but no soda or tea. They also had run out of soups that my buddy had been wanting to buy to take home. After paying we went outside to get a table to sit. It was a beautiful field of trees and grass with picnic tables everywhere to sit and enjoy the beautiful views and take in the fresh Colorado air. They brought our food to our table and WOW the hamburger patty was thick and juicy...cooked perfectly medium with caramelized onions, lettuce, cheese, rosemary mayo (I believe) green Chile and an egg. You could see the juices dripping from the patty onto the bun....I COULDN'T WAIT TO SINK MY TEETH INTO IT. OMG....HEAVENLY! My buddy ordered the inside out melt with an egg and they cut his in half and the yolk oozed out perfectly coating his sandwich. You definitely could tell the beef here was fresh and most likely from the ranch. I will eat here again during all my visits..this is how much I enjoyed the food. It's a MUST STOP! The scenery and location completes everything..so relaxing. If I were local i would be here often and I would bring a cover/sheet and lay down under a tree after eating and read or nap 😁 I only gave 4 stars because the store was a bit disappointing. However, I Hope you give this place a try and hopefully the store will stock up more on products and have more of a selection of drinks and also have soup available.. Enjoy!

EDIT: 10/2019- I stopped here again to check out their new building/restaurant. It is a beautiful building, however there was a flaw. When you sit down at an table, they made the railing so high that it's at eye level so it's really hard to be able to see over it and enjoy the scenery when you are sitting outside. Also, I think that the food tasted much better when the business was operated from their little wagon. Our order took about 20min to get to us and it was just a burger. However, their store is very nice and they have a lot of different things to choose from. Produce, meat, health and beauty supplies and some tourist options like shirts or hats. I really...

James Ranch Grill, located just north of Durango, CO, offers a truly unique and delightful dining experience that goes beyond typical "farm-to-table" – it's "table on the farm"!

The outdoor picnic table area is an absolute highlight. It's spacious, surrounded by the beautiful ranch, and perfectly dog-friendly, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a meal with your furry companion. The ambiance is relaxed and inviting, truly embracing the natural setting of the Animas Valley.

As for the food, it's clear they pride themselves on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. I enjoyed the "Blue Cheese, Bacon, BBQ Burger." The patty was thick and juicy, topped with crispy bacon, generous crumbles of blue cheese, and what looked like their homemade chipotle BBQ sauce. It came served open-faced alongside fresh red onion and crisp lettuce, allowing you to customize your bite or enjoy it as a hearty knife-and-fork meal.

My wife also tried a vibrant salad, which was their "Chopped Kale Salad." It was loaded with healthy greens, diced yellow fruit (likely apples or summer squash as mentioned on their menu), and dried cranberries for a sweet-tart burst. The star of the salad was undoubtedly the perfectly fried egg, with its rich, golden yolk, and the impressive, delicate cheese wafer, adding a wonderful savory crunch.

Overall, James Ranch Grill is a must-visit for anyone in the Durango area seeking delicious, regenerative food in a beautiful and welcoming outdoor setting. The combination of incredible food and the dog-friendly picnic area makes it a perfect spot for a casual and...

I’ve been going to this place for years, and after my last visit, I’m sad to say I won’t be back. I’m used to competing with the tourists during the busy season for parking, waiting, and seating, BUT, now, the prices just recently went up again (but not the portions) and they’re downgrading product. (Like their potatoes, fried in palm oil.) My friend and I both paid almost $30 each just for a burger and some fries, and we both got terrible stomach aches afterwards. Not worth it. (The meat was over seasoned and greasy) The service is usually always top notch, but when placing my order this time, and it coming out to $10 more than I paid for the same thing a month ago, the guy taking the order was rude and said “I don’t make the prices, I just work here.” I was literally just ensuring the order was placed correctly.

Further, James Ranch was okay with buying baby kids and immediately taking them away from their mother, which eventually led to the death of one of the kids. Not surprising ..but they were more interested in exploiting the animals for business than their actual welfare. It was blatantly obvious that Jack was severely ill, I even reported it to a manager, but sadly he still remained in the pen with access to the public for pets while sick. He died later that week.

I love what they’re doing for regenerative/green ag, but not enough to be bent over at the cash register for an upset stomach, still leaving hungry, and supporting animal...