The Reckless Roadhouse - The Finest Tacos (and BBQ) in De Beque, Colorado!
The Reckless Roadhouse in De Beque, Colorado, is the kind of place that can turn an ordinary road trip into a memorable meal. Tucked into a historic Western town along the Western Slope, this family-owned saloon and smokehouse combines serious barbecue, creative comfort food, handcrafted cocktails, live music, and an unmistakable old-school atmosphere. Travelers passing between Grand Junction and Parachute have discovered what locals already know: sometimes the most rewarding meals are found well beyond the usual roadside stops. At The Reckless Roadhouse, the invitation is simple and fitting: you don’t have to stay for a long time, but come in for a good time.
The building itself is part of the experience. Originally constructed in 1906 as De Beque’s livery stables, the historic structure has served the community in several forms over the decades, including a grocery store, town hall, auto body shop, bar, and café. After owner and chef Russell Klase III purchased the property, he and his family and friends transformed it into what the restaurant describes as a modern-day saloon. Today, the décor blends Wild West character with rock-and-roll personality, creating a wonderfully casual environment filled with interesting details. Add a corner stage, live entertainment, a hitching post, a dog-friendly patio, and plenty to look at, and it becomes much more than simply a place to grab dinner.
The food is where The Reckless Roadhouse really makes its mark, with a massive custom-built smoker serving as the heart of the kitchen. The eight-foot smoker produces a steady stream of fruit-wood smoke, using 100 percent local wood from the neighboring orchard community of Palisade. That local connection comes through in the food, particularly in the brisket, pulled pork, and chicken that repeatedly receive rave reviews. One visitor called the brisket a favorite among an otherwise excellent meal, while another described the three-meat platter as tender and worthy of sharing. The pulled pork sandwich has also developed something of a following, with diners praising its barbecue sauce, slaw, green apple accents, and challah bun.
But if there is one menu item that seems to repeatedly steal the spotlight, it may be the tacos. Multiple visitors specifically singled them out, with one enthusiastic diner ordering one taco, immediately deciding that one wasn't nearly enough, and ordering six more. The Roadhouse's street tacos have also appeared as a happy-hour favorite, served alongside homemade salsa and other small bites. The menu isn't limited to traditional barbecue, either. Guests have enjoyed veggie tacos, taco salads, brisket nachos, and a variety of creative specials that demonstrate the kitchen's willingness to put its own spin on familiar favorites. That combination of smokehouse cooking and unexpected flavors is a major part of the restaurant's appeal.
The creative approach continues with sandwiches, pasta and specialty entrées. The Brisket Reuben has earned particularly enthusiastic reviews, while the Philly sandwich has also been singled out as spectacular. Other memorable dishes include a chicken barbecue sandwich, meatball sub with aioli, smoked chicken Caesar salad, and Buffalo chicken mac and cheese. One diner described the Buffalo chicken mac and cheese as an entrée they expected to be dreaming about for a long time. The loaded barbecue mac and cheese is another smokehouse favorite, while the restaurant's nachos, wings, grilled cheese, and daily rotating features provide plenty of reasons to return and order something different.
The wings deserve their own mention because The Reckless Roadhouse apparently isn't content to serve the same flavors week after week. Wing Wednesday brings rotating flavors, including such combinations as peach bourbon and salt-and-vinegar aioli. During peach season, Palisade peaches have even found their way onto the wings, creating a distinctly Colorado interpretation of a bar-and-grill classic. One customer called the peach wings the best chicken wings they'd had, noting that the meat was so tender it practically fell from the bone. The restaurant's commitment to making its food in-house—including its pickles and sauces—adds another layer of personality to the menu.
Then there are the drinks. The Roadhouse's beverage program is designed around the same spirit of creativity found in the kitchen, with seasonal house-crafted cocktails that change throughout the year. Margaritas receive especially high praise from visitors, including one self-described margarita lover who declared them the best she'd ever tasted. The smoked pineapple margarita has also become a must-try recommendation, while peach margaritas have appeared alongside seasonal peach dishes. Happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. provides another reason to pull up a stool, particularly for visitors looking to enjoy tacos, local beer, cocktails, and other selections at special prices.
A big part of the Roadhouse experience is the people. Reviews repeatedly mention attentive, personable servers and bartenders, with several guests specifically praising Rae and Robert for their friendly service and positive energy. Even when the restaurant was busy during a local event, diners noted that staff communicated food wait times and continued to take care of their tables. Owner Russell's culinary background helps explain the food's elevated quality: after beginning his cooking career as a teenager, he attended Johnson & Wales University, earned degrees in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management, worked in Denver kitchens and resorts, competed for culinary awards, and eventually received a James Beard Award nomination. The Roadhouse represents the culmination of that experience in a decidedly more relaxed setting.
And then there is the entertainment, which transforms The Reckless Roadhouse from a restaurant into a genuine community gathering place. Live bands perform on weekends and special occasions, while karaoke and other events add to the calendar. Guests have specifically mentioned enjoying live performances such as Louie and the Lizards, with several visitors saying they planned to return for another music night. Whether you're stopping for tacos and a cold local beer, sitting down to a plate of smoked meats, enjoying a margarita on the patio, or settling in for live music, The Reckless Roadhouse captures something wonderfully authentic about Colorado's small-town Western-Slope culture. For travelers heading through De Beque, it is a place worth slowing down for—and perhaps, as so many diners have discovered, a place worth coming back to.
424 Minter Ave, De Beque, CO 81630
(970) 283-8998
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