True Grit Cafe

True Grit Cafe Comfort Food featuring Chicken Fried Steak, Burgers, Salads & Steaks in Ridgway, CO where the original John Wayne “True Grit” movie was filmed.
(1455)

Hours: 11 am - 9 pm Thursday thru Tuesday. Closed on Wednesdays! Established in 1985, the "Grit" as it is known has been serving hungry tourists and locals for over 25 years. We offer excellent and tasty 'Cowboy Cuisine' in a comfortable western environment with a friendly staff that will make you feel like you're part of the Grit Family. We take a lot of pride in our homemade fare including the

best dang chicken fried steak this side of the Rocky Mountains. Other menu specialties include hand-pattied burgers, mouth watering Tex-Mex Specialties, juicy steaks, house made meatloaf, fresh tempura battered mahi mahi fish and chips, sandwiches and gourmet salads. For the vegetarians, we offer lots of tasty choices. Our wide selection of liquors, beer and wine give you a great place to gather round with the locals and visitors alike. We have two full bars, one on the main floor and one upstairs, around which locals and visitors gather to chat or share experiences in the beautiful San Juan Mountains. Our newly remodeled upstairs with its large private booths will accommodate from two to fourteen people, and don't forget the deck overlooking our beautiful park. The True Grit Cafe was built to honor the filming of the academy award winning movie "True Grit" starring John Wayne. Come sit on the deck and look out at the beautiful background you'll see throughout the movie. Oh, and you'll see a lot of pictures of the great star's film legacy all around.

Monday has enough problems. Choosing shrimp shouldn’t be one of them. The Shrimp Showdown is on.Fried if you like yours ...
08/29/2026

Monday has enough problems. Choosing shrimp shouldn’t be one of them.

The Shrimp Showdown is on.

Fried if you like yours crunchy and a little dramatic.
Old Bay sautéed if you prefer buttery, seasoned, and suspiciously smooth.

Pick your contender. Talk a little trash. Order accordingly.

And before anybody asks: no, we did not catch these in the Uncompahgre. We checked.

A reminder for anyone who woke up confused about what day it is: it’s Friday, someone in this town is getting catfished....
08/28/2026

A reminder for anyone who woke up confused about what day it is:
it’s Friday, someone in this town is getting catfished.
Thankfully, this one comes with sides.

The Hook & Holler is on today.

Ridgway’s got mountains, cowboys, tall tales… and a catfish special with a better attendance record than most of us. **T...
08/27/2026

Ridgway’s got mountains, cowboys, tall tales… and a catfish special with a better attendance record than most of us.

**The Hook & Holler is back this Friday.**

Fried or blackened. pick your legend.

And if yours gets a little bigger every time you tell somebody about it afterward… well, that’s between you and the fish.

You can eat something sensible this week.You can also come to True Grit and make a much better decision. This week’s spe...
08/26/2026

You can eat something sensible this week.

You can also come to True Grit and make a much better decision.

This week’s specials are stacked, sauced, fried, smothered, and generally minding absolutely none of their business.

**Come hungry. We’ve clearly been unsupervised in the kitchen again.**

You can get your usual just about anywhere.This ain’t your usual. 🤠This week’s specials are the kind that make you point...
08/20/2026

You can get your usual just about anywhere.

This ain’t your usual. 🤠

This week’s specials are the kind that make you point at the menu and say,
“Wait… what is THAT?”

Followed shortly by:

“Yeah. I’m getting that.”

Unexpected combinations. Big flavor. Food worth changing dinner plans for.

If you’re already in Ridgway, lucky you.

If you’re not… gas up.

08/19/2026

when the bourbon is made right here in Colorado AND supports a nonprofit… well, suddenly drinking bourbon starts looking downright responsible. 🥃🤠

Locke + Co. Colorado bourbon, fresh mint, crushed ice, and the rare opportunity to wet your whistle for a good cause.

Mint Juleps are pouring at True Grit Cafe.

Go ahead, partner.
It’s practically community service.

08/19/2026
This week’s specials were planned by a cowboy who hadn’t eaten since 1887.Spicy queso on a double smash burger. A fried ...
08/13/2026

This week’s specials were planned by a cowboy who hadn’t eaten since 1887.
Spicy queso on a double smash burger. A fried fish with a name that sounds wanted in three counties. Pulled pork nachos buried in queso. Shrimp. And half a fried chicken still wearing its boots.

By Tuesday, your belt is gonna be filing a grievance.
Come hungry. We’re not doing subtle this week.

It’s hotter than a jalapeño doing jumping jacks in a cast-iron skillet, and some of y’all are still standing over the st...
08/06/2026

It’s hotter than a jalapeño doing jumping jacks in a cast-iron skillet, and some of y’all are still standing over the stove like this is the week you suddenly love to cook. 😂

Save yourself the heat and the disappointment.

We’ve got spicy burgers, catfish, ribs, Thanksgiving in August, shrimp, and enough fried chicken to make Tuesday disappear before dinner gets comfortable.

Pull up a chair. Let the professionals handle the questionable decisions.

Address

123 N Lena Street
Ridgway, CO
81432

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 9pm
Tuesday 11am - 9pm
Thursday 11am - 9pm
Friday 11am - 9pm
Saturday 11am - 9pm
Sunday 11am - 9pm

Telephone

+19706265739

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