Heading to Eldora? Stop by Salto Coffee Works for an Après-Ski Taco Feast

Like many places in the rugged community of Nederland, Salto Coffee Works is quirky and genuine. Located in the heart of town, it makes a natural launching (or landing) pad for mountain adventures.

Husband-wife team Marcus and Karina Luscher opened Salto (Latin for leap or bound) in conjunction with adjoined Tin Shed Sports in 2012. Their vision: A local gathering place where folks could come together over free WiFI, fried-egg sandwiches ($7), house-roasted craft coffee, tap wines, Colorado microbrews, and acoustic tunes. The bike-ski-coffee-retail concept is a true community cache in the heart of Ned, a roomy, pine-beamed space for local fundraisers, art exhibits, fireside business meetings, ski waxes, and, in the summer, a haven for mountain bikers.

The chef-driven menu changes with the seasons. Breakfast consists of those fresh-made breakfast sandwiches and a selection of artisan pastries from Nederland’s own New Moon Bakery and Boulder’s Spruce Confections. Come lunch, Salto transforms into a taqueria, with a menu of tostadas, tacos, burritos, and mild to hot salsas.

Try the carnitas taco ($4) for juicy, well-seasoned shredded pork, tomatillo salsa, and the pleasant crunch of shredded cabbage and radish slices with fresh cilantro sprigs. Or the tart, citrusy prickly pear cactus taco ($4) with house-made guacamole. Larger than the average street taco, two of these corn-tortilla-wrapped delights will do for lunch or as an après snack.

For a winter warm-up, Salto serves a mighty fine posole ($8) built with pork, cabbage, and hominy. If you’re stopping by before heading the five miles down the road to Eldora, pack in pre-ski protein with the grain bowl ($10), available for breakfast or lunch. Savory layers of tomato vinaigrette, white quinoa, cannellini beans, kale, avocado, and egg should keep you amply sated for the slopes.

If you go: Catch Après Ski Saturdays all winter from 3 to 6 p.m., which includes taco and drink specials and live music. Happy hour, which runs from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, delivers $4 beer and $5 wine specials, and First Fridays feature mini art shows and groovy bands.

112 E. Second St., Nederland, 303-258-3537