Rupert's Durango — Restaurant in Durango

THIS IS NOT CJ's and Ruperts is anything but "The best of Durango" Yes, I totally miss CJ's and the diverse crowd that used to frequent CJ's in the mornings along with Jerry, making the rounds and talking to the regulars. Rupert's menu only has about 20 items on it and if you like the fact that all of the food is overcooked, maybe you'll enjoy it. The server might note that the bacon isn't soft/limp and the eggs with brown on them were not lightly scrambled or soft because whoever takes your order is usually too busy gossiping at the counter and a runner brings out the food. Servers don't wear name tags and they've never introduced themselves but regardless, service is poor and they'll take your order and deliver the check but don't expect much in between.

I recently did a business transaction and because we discussed business over breakfast, the other party only assumed that I liked Rupert's as much as I loved CJ's and I was given a $75 gift card to Ruperts. Because they can't do limp bacon or lightly scrambled eggs and because their sausage gravy is about the worst I've had with way too much black pepper and not enough sausage or other flavors, over a year had passed before I finally tried to use the $75 gift card from my friend.

My friend purchased and printed the gift card online and when I went to use it for two meals ($48), in spite of having a confirmation code on the paperwork, it did not have a 12 or 16 digit code for the server to look up and she said she couldn't run the card. I suggested calling the owner (Tim) in Boulder and then the manager got involved. He failed to introduce himself as the manager or by name and said that he needed more numbers to run the gift card. He offered no other remedy or recommendation of how we should proceed other than me stopping back to talk to the owner later in the week. We spent $48 on overcooked eggs and crispy bacon that we couldn't send back because our server never checked on us after the food arrived. Admittedly, the Eggs Benedict is always nicely done and so if you don't mind poor service and spending $25+/head for breakfast, they do know how to poach an egg.

My friend that gave me the gift card would be heartbroken if she knew that the card didn't work and I'm out $48 for an inferior meal most of which went to the dogs. I'm annoyed and I'm angry that the manager that didn't introduce himself made no attempt to remedy the issue or offer an alternative other than checking back every day for the owner to pop up.

I've frequented the address for Ruperts for 20+ years and it is anything but, "Durango's Best" and in the unlikely event it wins best diner for 2025, definitely check out the Durango Diner, Denny's or Oscars before trying Ruperts with won't offer much more than poor service.

Don Weyls

If my review that might seem too much, keep in mind that in three years I've eaten at Ruperts about ten times and this review is a culmination of all of those visits. Ruperts had a CJ's server for awhile and Janey was perfect in every regard but sadly,...

Elliott was amazing! We popped in for the first time today around 1040am and were out by 1105! Found Rupert's on Google and the menu sounded perfect. We were able to park in the free lot right outside. The place was packed, but constantly revolving and we never saw anybody wait for a table. It was perfectly paced without feeling rushed. The hostess sat us immediately by the front door and we were worried about the traffic at first, but quickly settled in and never inconvenienced by the in/out flow of guests. Elliott was our server and was extremely polite and knowledgeable about the menu. Made ordering and customizing a breeze! Groups of all ages and dress were here - from business meeting to college kids to retired hippies. Eclectic environment, DELICIOUS and FRESH food, superb service, chill vibes. We got the classic benedict with avocado on the side and the quiche of the day. Potato pancakes were the best we've ever had. I had an iced chai with oatmilk and husband had black coffee. We were both happy with the flavors of our drinks! The food was filling but we didn't leave feeling heavy/weighed down by what we ate. Will absolutely be back and 100% recommend if you're anywhere...

If I could give the experience of working here a zero I would, the amount of Durango,bayfield,Aztec and etc resident that have quit this place is absurd. They have contacted people that I have no connection too that worked a separate time period than I did asking workers to come back when they left on their own judgement. This place at the face front runs smoothly good food and great culture, that’s cjs doing 🙏, as for the new owners, they’re in every form prejudice, not just racially, age wise, nor capability wise, the cannot pay their workers consistently and fairly, the food practices are impractical and meager to say the least. the amount of stories if heard of people being hired with a set rate and the owner demotes that pay for “labor budget reasons” as a GM for a corporate that does everything professionally and within food service standards ruperts is one of the most repugnant services in the Durango area, especially when they tell their worker to take their “own accountability” disregarding their insane attrition rate. Go to tortilla la four, save your wallet, Rupert’s food is okay but not a place I can support moral wise. Do better I hope to see this place...