With each issue of Covered Bridge, your brave culinary explorers Russel Reuben and William Montecristo search the Valley for inspiring burgers, sandwiches, tacos, snacks on a stick, second breakfasts and finger food.
The wait is over, and it’s official. Summer starts now as the most anticipated issue of Covered Bridge ever, “The Ocho,” hits the streets. Yes, the hype is real, and your favorite magazine’s favorite local food column is back as your official passport to the sun-soaked, salt-rimmed getaway in a glass you deserve.
William’s wife inspired us to shift our focus for this very special episode from food to the Official Libation of Optimism. Since she switched to a smoothie-based diet, everything about her energy, mindfulness and general well-being has radically improved. Calling margaritas “smoothies” also helps. When pressed on the science behind the diet, she explained, “Beer makes me full. Tequila makes me fun.”
As the Valley turns green again, the whole town seems to awaken from hibernation, and the wildflowers seem to explode from the hillsides, inviting long hikes, even longer bike rides and well-earned patio time. This is the peak “margarita state of mind,” where the view matters, the company matters and, yes, sundresses absolutely matter. A crisp, salt-rimmed drink in hand, fourlegged friends passing by with a wagging tail, and the sun sinking behind the peaks? That’s not just a moment. That’s “an Ocho” moment.
Oh. And coincidentally, did you know Jimmy Buffett’s 1977 classic “Margaritaville” was inspired by a late-season trip to Vail with his best bud Bruce Springsteen involving several aprés decks and even more pitchers of the famed liquid sunshine? It’s a fact. Look it up. The song was ready for release, but some suits at the record label convinced him it would be more “on brand” if it had a beachy theme, so the world has never known the truth … until now.
Gold: Mountain Standard, Vail
Are dogs telepathic?
Russel: This margarita is what happens when a high-country summer day highfives your taste buds. Crisp, bright and just the right amount of salted serendipity. The riverfront patio? Pure magic, sunbeams firing through the aspens, mountain air so fresh it deserves its own bottled brand and the gentle soundtrack of people laughing because they, too, are sipping happiness. Also, we met an English Setter named Walter, who cooly asked to share my carpaccio. Five stars, no notes.
William: This margarita was a masterpiece, with fresh lime, Rico Suave tequila and a balanced sweetness that never overpowered. Smooth, but beware of this dog’s bite; there’s a reason they enforce a “three-limit” rule on these rascals. This might be the best summer libation I’ve ever had the privilege of porch pounding. As I sipped, distinguished gentleman Walter struts by, wagging like he owns the whole village. Honestly, he might.
Silver: The Minturn Saloon, Minturn
Is time linear?
Russel: Good margaritas refresh you. A great one can restore your soul. After a long day of pedaling, I took my first sip and immediately forgot about the uphill sections. The patio feels like your cool uncle’s backyard, where good stories are told and bad decisions are encouraged. The atmosphere coupled with the endless “free refill” belly scratches on a rescue named Wemmy clinched the silver medal. Bonus idea: Adopt-A-Dog- A-Margarita-A-Thon.
William: One sip of this margarita and I immediately understood why some dedicate their lives to chasing that endless summer. This purebred was no shelter margarita. Perfectly mixed, wildly refreshing and strong enough to make you consider extending happy hour. We also got to chill with a Blue Lacy named Wemmy, who might just be goodest of good girls ever. She started off shy, but by sunset, her twitching legs and our smiling faces told me that this afternoon had scratched our sweet spots.
Bronze: The Coyote Cafe, Beaver Creek
Are coincidences just coincidences?
Russel: A margarita here is like a mountain sunset — vibrant, a little hazy and over too soon. This patio is prime real estate for soaking in that post-adventure glow, with just enough shade to keep you from questioning your SPF choices. We’d been happily watching a wiener dog in a dress chase its tail when a dog named Wren pulled up to give me those “You gonna finish that queso?” puppy dog eyes. Ma’am, we’re out of medals, so you can get whatever prize you want from my plate. The perfect combination of fresh mountain air, good K9 company and a top-tier marg makes this one of the best places to end your day in the Valley.
William: A top-notch margarita’s success lies in its simplicity. Just three ingredients create the perfect blend of tart but balanced (like me), strong yet smooth (also, like me) and ice-cold (again, me). But the real highlight of the experience was a lesson in simplicity from the wire-haired philosopher Wren. An old stuffy to chew on, some new friends to chill with and a quick snack before trotting off to sniff out the next fiesta. I felt that.
Disclaimer: These rankings are anecdotal samplings of some of the food we ate with our hands and are by no stretch of the imagination an all-inclusive or accurate encapsulation of the Valley’s cornucopia of offerings. If you have a suggestion of where we should eat next, please email us: eatwithyourhandsvail@gmail.com.
Illustrations by Becca Saulsberry.
