Blondies Drive In – The Best Burger in Naturita, Colorado
There are restaurants you seek out, and then there are restaurants you are simply delighted to discover. Blondies Drive In in Naturita, Colorado, belongs firmly in the second category. Located along scenic Highway 141, this classic small-town diner offers the kind of straightforward, home-cooked food that can turn an ordinary road trip into a memorable stop. With burgers, pizza, sandwiches, fries, breakfast and thick, tasty shakes, Blondies has become a favorite among locals while also serving as a welcome oasis for travelers passing through the remarkably scenic and remote landscape of southwestern Colorado.
The setting is part of the appeal. Blondies has a distinctly nostalgic 1950s diner atmosphere, with fun artwork, Americana-inspired décor, televisions and even an arcade area tucked inside. Outside, tables in front and along the side of the building provide a pleasant place to enjoy a meal and watch the small-town world go by. One visitor described Blondies as having a “great atmosphere,” while another was struck by how much there was to see inside. Even the restrooms receive attention, with visitors repeatedly commenting on how exceptionally clean the facilities are, including colorful murals that add a bit of personality to an otherwise practical space.
The burgers are clearly the stars of the menu, and the green chile cheeseburger has earned particular praise. Several diners described the patty as fresh and handmade, with one visitor calling the green chile mild but delicious. Another road-tripper remembered the green chile cheeseburger and tater tots fondly years after having worked in Naturita. The classic combination of a well-prepared burger and hot, crispy fries also receives repeated compliments, with one traveler stopping for a quick lunch and declaring the burger great and the fries cooked perfectly. For a restaurant built around simple comfort food, Blondies demonstrates just how satisfying a properly prepared burger can be.
There is considerably more to the menu than burgers, however. Guests have enjoyed everything from grilled cheese sandwiches with thick-cut ham to brisket sandwiches, fish sandwiches and hot wings. One visitor was particularly enthusiastic about the grilled cheese with ham, praising the generous slice of ham, while another enjoyed a fish sandwich accompanied by seasoned curly fries. The hot wings were also singled out for being flavorful and, importantly, not dry. Pizza and various basket options round out the casual menu, giving families and groups plenty of choices when everyone wants something a little different.
And then there are the shakes. A good old-fashioned burger-and-shake combination seems almost mandatory at a place like Blondies, and customers have plenty of positive things to say about them. The milkshakes are described as tasty and make an especially fitting companion to the burgers and fries. For visitors traveling Highway 141, a cold shake and a hot meal can be exactly the kind of roadside indulgence that makes a scenic drive even better. Blondies also serves breakfast, and vacationers who ate there on multiple mornings described the portions as generous enough that one breakfast plate provided leftovers for several mornings.
Perhaps the most consistent compliment in the reviews, though, has nothing to do with food. It is the people. Customers repeatedly describe the staff as friendly, prompt, accommodating and genuinely welcoming. One particularly memorable example involved a baseball group of 18 who preordered burgers and milkshakes; Blondies stayed open an extra hour so the group could eat, had everything prepared when they arrived, and even separated the vegetarian burger so it would not accidentally be served to someone else. Another guest specifically praised the exceptional customer service at the walk-up window. These are small gestures, but they illustrate the kind of personal attention that can make a local restaurant memorable.
Blondies also seems to understand its role in the community. One traveler arriving in Naturita during a drive through southwestern Colorado noticed that the restaurant appeared to be the epicenter of town, judging by the number of people inside. Locals have clearly embraced it, while travelers appreciate having a reliable place to eat along a remote stretch of road. The combination of quick service, reasonable prices, clean surroundings and generous portions makes Blondies particularly useful to anyone exploring the area. It is the sort of restaurant where you can arrive hungry, order at the counter or window, and be back on the road—or settle in outside and enjoy the slower pace of a small Colorado town.
Ultimately, Blondies Drive In represents something increasingly difficult to find: an uncomplicated restaurant that doesn't need to be fancy to be special. It is about fresh burgers, crispy fries, green chile, pizza, sandwiches, shakes, breakfast and friendly people, all served in a fun little diner that feels deeply connected to its community. For travelers exploring Highway 141 and the spectacular scenery around Naturita, Blondies is more than a convenient roadside stop—it is part of the experience. Sometimes the best meals are found in the places you never expected to discover, and Blondies Drive In is a delicious reminder of exactly that.
120 W Main St, Naturita, CO 81422
(970) 865-2222
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