Vern's Place — Restaurant in Laporte

As winter loosens its grip on Fort Collins, days like today feel like a gift. With the sun shining and temperatures hovering in the high 50s, my wife and I couldn't resist the urge to get outside. We hopped on our bikes and headed up the Poudre Trail toward the Foothills, knowing exactly where we'd stop for breakfast--Vern's Place.

The ride itself is something special. Just six miles and about 30 minutes from the heart of Old Town, the trail winds alongside the river, offering peaceful views and the relaxing sound of flowing water. Once you pass Shields Street, the landscape opens up to breathtaking views of the Foothills, a stunning backdrop that stays with you all the way to Vern's.

Vern's is one of those places where you come for the food, but you stay for the atmosphere and the views. As soon as we arrived, we asked to sit on the patio, and we were seated right away. From there, the view of the Foothills was nothing short of spectacular--a perfect setting to enjoy the kind of warm, hearty meal that Vern's is known for.

This morning, I went with the Deluxe Biscuits and Gravy, a plate piled high with two eggs, a choice of breakfast meat (I opted for the sausage patty), and biscuits smothered in rich, homemade gravy. If I said it tasted just like my grandma used to make, I'd be lying--because honestly, I don't think even grandma's biscuits and gravy were this good. My wife ordered the Chicken Club, and from the first bite, she was just as happy with her choice as I was with mine. The food was cooked perfectly, served hot and fresh, and the everything was spot on. Our server, Cameron, was friendly and attentive, adding to an already great experience.

For those who don't know, Vern's Place has deep roots in the community. Currently owned since 2023 by Alan and Jackie Jantzen--the same folks behind the beloved Silver Grill Cafe in Old Town--Vern's has held onto its small-town charm while delivering consistently great food and service. As with The Silver Grill Cafe, Alan and Jackie have honored Vern's history while making sure every plate that comes out of the kitchen is something to remember.

Of course, you don't need to bike to Vern's to enjoy it. Whether you're making a special trip, stopping by on your way up the Poudre Canyon, or just craving a comforting, homestyle meal, this place is well worth the visit. With great service, delicious food, and a view that reminds you why we love living in Colorado, Vern's Place...

Vern's has just changed management, and become a bit of a puzzle lately. They are moving away from, or at least adding to their affordable Homestyle "American" menu with fancier dishes like bourbon steak and cantina shrimp tacos. While the more elaborate entrees sound tempting, we have had bad luck on our last couple of visits with the vegetable sides, most memorably, a tough ear of corn, which they comped us. The fish and chips were heavier this visit. The waitresses were all new, in their 20's, all wore matching blue t-shirts and bandanas tied around their heads, and made valiant attempts at good humor and welcome. The cashier was also new. It was fun listening to the waitress at the next table elaborately describe how the butter in the cookie in the new dessert "balanced" the sweetness of the ice cream. The cooks are now "chefs" and they dress in black and the head chef/manager wanders through the restaurant checking on your meal. Yet for all the higher-class airs, Vern's new management still only serves one red wine and one white wine, both econo-quality. Pours ranged from scant to fair. The new dessert, a butter sugar cookie served with ice cream and a brown sugar whiskey sauce, was really good. It is interesting to contrast the clientele, still a mix of Poudre Canyon regulars, campers and blue collar types from the neighborhood with the new ambiance. Booths, tables, outside deck seating. Stay away from the booths in the back of the restaurant as they are directly under and aggressive air conditioning vent. Kids menu, beer, some hard alcohol. Fishing supplies, licenses, bait, mini-mart, gas...

5.29.24 Well, this place was good a few years ago but not sure about now. New cooks and owners I think. Definitely new cooks I know that for sure. My mom and I ate here after a drive in the mountains so we were hungry. She got the salmon dinner and I got the fried chicken dinner. Probably the worst fried chicken I've ever had. KFC would've been a better choice... Firstly, my dish was supposed to come with mashed potatoes but they give me corn instead... and that gravy didnt really have a typical flavor its hard to describe but ive never tasted anything like it. It made it slightly more pallettable to eat the chicken with but i hardly touched it overall. Just had a weird flavor. But they give me gravy but no mashed potatoes... I didn't understand that. The chicken was cooked in old oil. No flavor otherwise. Bland and boring. At least the onion rings tasted like onion rings. I asked if my mom's food was good and she said yes but it wasn't that great. Didn't look good because the sauce looked like it was just drizzled on top instead of be cooked in it. It being put on top of the salmon like that looked weird and cheap to me. Aside from the food, there was a table of teenagers next to us and one of them thought they were funny cussing and being loud every sentence they spoke... Never coming back until there's new management and new cooks. Really disappointed how they screw up such easy dishes.

2/10/19 My family and I have been eating at this restaurant for 10+ years and it has remained delicious still! Always great staff working...