Bob’s Place in Avon: A little bit of everything

There’s a question over 30 years old around Avon that is surely uttered daily somewhere in the valley: “Want to go to Bob’s?” The long-standing, family-run Bob’s Place in Avon is most popular for its 30-plus TVs in its sports bar, its welcoming dining room usually full around dinnertime and the same smiling staff year after year. And new this summer, Bob’s Place debuts one of the newest and best patios around town — with shaded seating, perfect people-watching, and good food and drinks to enjoy comfortably. The cheery, yellow umbrellas and sunshades along with sturdy patio furniture keep the party right where it belongs in the summer: outside. 

Bob Doyle — the owner and namesake of Bob’s Place — came to Colorado from New York, having worked in a handful of sub and sandwich shops. With this experience, he came to Vail and opened The Menu in 1977. It was a venture well ahead of its time as the town went from 484 residents in 1970 to just over 2,000 in 1980.

In 1992, Doyle moved his restaurant from Vail to Avon and called it Bob’s Place — and in 2000, Bob’s Place landed in its current location, in Avon Center. Over the years, Doyle went on to add Southwestern and Mexican cuisine.

In 1977, his breakfast special was $1.99.

“Our goal is to try and create that value for locals and guests of the community. That’s one of our biggest focuses,” said Chris Doyle, Bob’s son, who grew up around the business and now helps run it with his wife, Caron. “Obviously, we can’t do the $1.99 because that will put you out of business, but we always really try to focus on what’s fair.”

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This summer, Bob’s Place is serving up omelets, breakfast tacos and burritos, huevos rancheros, Benedicts, waffles, and — like its full menu — a wide variety of items made with fresh ingredients. We recommend the Mexican Benedict, with chorizo, avocado and Oaxaca cheese smothered in their homemade chipotle hollandaise. We do not recommend The Aspen Omelet — it’s the “same as Avon Omelet … just paying for the name” — a fun, little easter egg found in the expansive menu.

That menu is truly massive, with lots of choices for lunch, snacks, dinner and late night — including burgers and sandwiches that are available from 11 a.m. until midnight, and other items such as country-fried steak, fish and chips, and fajitas available during dinner service. In addition to the dining room, Bob’s has a sports bar side, replete with pool tables and perhaps the most complete sports package found locally for the many televisions around the room. At Bob’s Place, the Doyle family is trying to do what they’ve always done: provide friendly service and generous portions to keep you fueled up for mountain adventures.