Zokas Restaurant & Bar
16940 S Pine Valley Rd, Pine, CO, 80470
Zokas Restaurant & Bar Menu
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Address :
16940 S Pine Valley Rd
Pine, CO, 80470 - Phone (303) 838-0378
- Website https://www.zokas.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Coat Check : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Didi S.
Zokas is doing great monthly events and having some live music too. September is wild game month. We had some really good food. We had a great duck appetizer. Also, I like the fun and different drink specials. Still loving Zokas!
(4)jame s.
We stumbled on Zoka's today after a snowshoeing trek at Lost Creek Wilderness. It is a restaurant off the beaten path and well worth the trip. It is about 7 miles off 285 at Pine Grove. It was recommeded to us as healthy food, not health food. The atmosphere is comfortable with a large restaurant seating area including the bar for such a small town spot. There are fantastic murals on the wall in the restaurant and in the bar area. The menu changes daily, so if you like what you eat, good luck getting it again when you return. However, you won't be disappointed with anything you choose. We had the house salad made of mixed greens, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, goat cheese (of course) and a rasberry viniagrette. The salad was fresh and crisp. We both chose the lamb stew for our lunch. It was served with warmed pita bread too. The stew was hearty and chocked full of quality lamb pieces, carrots, and parsnips. I wanted to sop up all the savory sauce with my pita bread and resisted the temptation to lick the bowl. It was just what we needed after a our outdoor activity on a cold winter day. We ordered hot tea to accompany our meal and the server brought out a cup with steaming hot water and a tea pot full of water. She also brought for each of us a selection of Tazo Teas for our choosing. For dessert, we had the hot apple crumble made with cranberries and pecans and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a creme brulee. The brulee was more like a custard, served warm, and was exquisite. The crumble was warm as well and the perfect combination of sweet, tart, soft, and crisp. If you cannot tell by this review, we would go back in a minute! There were a number of things on the menu I wanted to try - pork green chili, hot meatloaf sandwich, smoked chicken pot pie, kobe beef burger with peppered bacon, quesadillas, and a variety of interesting menu items for kids. Zoka's is a true gem of a restaurant, a bit remote, but not all that far from Denver. Worth the drive!!
(5)Ann M.
Went again, had crab cakes. OMG they were amazing... seriously. So crabby? Is that a way to describe them? They had much more crab in them than filler. They were amazing. Seriously. Salmon burger was also amazing. Key Lime Pie was also delicious. Zokas nails it again.
(5)Emily J.
Your food continues to be outstanding and inventive, after frequenting this restaurant for a year now. However, your waitstaff is abominable. Each time we're there, we're either ignored and end up leaving without ordering dessert or leave sooner than anticipated due to rudeness and unprofessional behavior. Note: if I order a drink and decide that there is an extreme amount of ginger in it, compared to a complementary amount, then we I say "I don't want this. Please take it back", it's best not to snatch it from my hand, turn swiftly, storm off, and loudly say "Jesus Christ!" The owner here used to own an establishment in Old Town, Alexandria, VA, where high quality customer service is expected, not as mediocre as this. A shame, because within this past year, we've often recommended this restaurant for a pleasant afternoon drive followed by a tasty meal. We know several who have dined here and unfortunately, we've experienced enough dislike in your service that we no longer will be doing this.
(2)Dirk V.
Great food & service. Taste & fool: Everything a cut above. Good selection of beers. A gem in the mountains. Definitely worth driving out of the way for.
(5)Jack J.
In a nutshell: *Service that couldn't be slower if the scouted employee's from assisted living centers. *Nasty salty food that was warm when it should be cold and cold when it should be hot. *Rude waitstaff; you'd think you're at Ed Debevics, except they're just being a-holes at Zorkas... *Long wait for a table *Prepare to be made part of a social experiment if you complain, the owner is a jerk. STAY AWAY!!
(1)Brenden C.
Incredible service. Even better food. Beer is amazing at this altitude. :) I love Zoka's it's a favorite mountain restaurant/bar and shouldn't be ignored. If you are in pine, buffalo creek area. You need to come here! Please! After a day off, a long bike ride, I'm craving Zoka's!
(5)Lucas M.
This place is consistently excellent. Tasty food that is thoughtfully prepared, a great draft beer selection, and friendly staff in a space that is clean and inviting. A perfect stop on the way back from mountain biking in Buffalo creek. People who think the service is too slow need to take a moment to realize where they are, and relax.
(5)Roger M.
You wouldn't think there would be a great restaurant in PIne, CO but there is. They have a great selection of food that always hits the spot after a day playing in the mountains.
(5)Chris S.
I think I found a new home in this place. What a hidden gem with wonderful ownership, great mountain décor and incredible food!
(4)Andrew H.
I have been here 3 times now over the course of the last 5 years. Excellent food for such a high-altitude restaurant. The Pulled Pork Sandwich is very good. Sweet and spicy BBQ sauce that i could just bathe in. I wish they had more BBQ options to showcase that homemade sauce.
(4)Brian B.
I had to take away a star tonight......food was still great but staff provided POOR service. My wife ordered one of their famous Bloody Marys and drank about a third of it before she gave up on the clam juice taste. Sent it back & waitress still charged us even gave her grief about it when we questioned her when the bill came. After 3 attempts to get a glass of water it finally came. The other waitress acted like we were putting her out......sorry....so sorry to ask for water for goodness sake. Kurt, Please get some better waitress staff! Brian
(4)Andy L.
I really like this place and is one of the few places where I plan activities in the vicinity so that I can eat a lunch or dinner here. Great spot in town and is always busy on the weekends during the summer. Food is really good and some of my favs are the Reuben, ribs, and their purple potato salad. I am on their email distro list and everytime they have had special meal going on I have not been able to make it but each one sounded amazing. Plus it is nearby tons of great places to go rock-climbing, hiking, backpacking, fishing, disc-golfing, or just cruising/sight-seeing.
(5)James F.
A friend of mine recently drove me down to this amazing little restaurant hidden away in Pine, CO. Zoka's offers a daily changing menu with fresh organic and natural ingredients, and a Full bar with a nice selection of local micro-brews. Sitting down in the bar you can see an array of beautiful art work which reflects the local culture and history. The food was simply amazing(along with the service), I am going to make a habit of making the drive out to Zoka's when I am in town again.
(5)Ed M.
This place is simply unbelievable! What a surprise to find such an outstanding menu out in the middle of nowhere. I wrote in detail on my experience in my blog below, but can tell you here that I had the best triple-cream brie infused Kobe beef burger ever. And the Salsa is pretty tasty too. edmahoney.wordpress.com/…
(5)Bryan H.
Zokas is a rare find in a town of no more than 100 people. The owner has operated several big name resturant in the past, thus knows his business. Yet what makes it more than a place to eat is the how the owners, staff and community make this a true gem. Kurt the owner doesn't know eveything and doesn't pretend to but he has a humble way of teaching and learning more about food, drink, community and life which breeds into the staff and patrons. You'll feel like home and you will always leave satisfied.
(5)Neversummer 8.
Zoka's is the best for a draught beer and healthy eats following your ride in Buffalo Creek. Also, the deck is so dog friendly it has leads tied to their deck posts and water bowls, plus a nook for especially ornery pooches like mine.
(4)Steve B.
Best burger in Denver...maybe in the whole country...and the bloody Mary with house pickled green beans is also one of the best! Well worth the drive from anywhere!
(5)Julie D.
Our absolute favorite restaurant. Awesome food. Grat atmosphere. Well worth the drive!
(5)Beth W.
This place is awesome. I had no idea it even existed, but my parents bought some property that we came to check out, and they found it in their drives around the area. First, the decor is awesome. Love it. Simple, but really matches the theme of the area, and very nicely done. The employees are so friendly and really had a good sense of humor for my dad's over-the-top jokes. The owner came and talked to us, the server, Adam, had great suggestions for meals, and the food was fantastic. I had the Kobe burger (came with a brie and bleu cheese mix and sweet and spicy bacon that was absolutely to die for), my husband had the smoked prime rib, dad had Asian tuna dish, and mom had flank steak. All cooked perfectly, all amazing. Great cuts of meat, and such good sauces and complimenting sides along with them. I will agree with some of the other reviewers that they are a little on the slow side with the food service, but we were in no hurry, so it wasn't an issue for us. Overall, a great hidden gem! Oh, and the desserts were fantastic. Warm brownie with homemade lingonberry sauce and ice cream... made my day. And my husband scraped the ramekin clean of creme brulee. Definitely would recommend it!
(5)Daisy S.
This place is fabulous! My husband and I recently moved to Colorado from Chicago and I was pretty scared the food wouldn't meet my expectations that I have been use to in Chicago. Luckily we stumbled into Zoka's only 3miles from our new cabin home and absolutely loved it! They change their menu everyday. Last friday we tried the 3 sausages (rabbit w/ rattle snake, spicey jalapeno elk and wild boar) with mashed potatoes! That was my dish and we started off with onion rings with chipotle dip. My husband ordered the pulled pork which he also loved. I am very glad i tried the 3 sausages, I had never tried those types of sausages ever but I did not regret ordering them! I liked it so much i made my husband bring me back tonight. This time we decided to try something new. I tried the grilled duck breast and have to say it was the most delightful duck i have tried. It wasn't chewy or fatty..it almost felt like eating fillet mignon. My husband tried the shrimp udon which was spicy but flavorful. We are going to try to come here every friday and try something new each time. My next pick, wild mushroom ravioli!
(5)Matt S.
Talk about a diamond in the rough! Went backpacking with some friends and stopped in expecting some burgers and fries. Wrong. Full bar with a fine beer selection (3 taps of Avery, Franziskaner, some other CO company). The food menu was very sophisticated and had everything from quinoa salad to stir fry to the Kobe beef burgers others have talked about. The owner chatted us up and the wait staff was friendly. My dark and stormy was fantastic. The stir fry was a little too salty but alfredo pasta was good and same with the burger. Definitely the best place around those parts.
(4)Lucas W.
I had never been to Zoka's before until I was taken there on a whim by a buddy of mine... I was SO impressed. The setting is in tiny-town Pine, and the patio atmosphere is second to none. The food was first class, and was served at very reasonable prices. If you're anywhere close to Pine and are looking for high-end food at a not so high end price, this is the ticket. Had the burger at on recommendation of the owner and it was spot on.
(5)Timothy C.
The food was excellent. We had rattlesnake and rabbit sausage, elk medallions, and pasta, all very well done. The server was very patient as she answered a barrage of questions from my in-laws. The service was well timed and friendly. We will be going back.
(5)Stephen B.
It's been a while since I've been here, but I remember that it's awesome. I got a cabin with my family in what we thought was the middle of nowhere, and randomly this cool restaurant was a quarter mile from our place. The signature burger (I forget the name, Zoka Burger?) and french fries are great. This place is an oasis of great food located among the beautiful mountains of Colorado. Get a cabin nearby for a night or two and let the good times roll.
(5)Kristian A.
The last thing I expected to be witness to after entering Zoka's Bar and Grill was a cook exiting the kitchen in an apron that had a print of an oiled muscle man from head to toe, women were hooting and howling and the kids were laughing hysterically, I knew I was in a good place. As I entered the bar I noticed a mural of two dogs above the entrance and quickly associated it with the Zoka's sign I saw on my way in, people who like dogs are good with me! I approached the bar and was delighted to see the massive oak framed mirror that stood watch over the enchanting array of booze below. Just by taking a look around I could tell that the food was going to be quality, to what extent I had no Idea. The bar tender was very nice and it was in a genuine way! Not the I'm going to smile for a 20% or more tip kind of nice. In fact I noticed this trend around the entire restaurant and it was a good change of pace, real people are hard to find these days. Even the owner Kurt came out and introduced himself to me, we chatted for a few minutes and it became obvious that everyone associated with Zoka's had a common goal. Good food, good spirits, and good people. The atmosphere was great and the noise level was rather moderate, meaning you didn't have to yell at the person who was sitting next to you to carry on a conversation. The restaurant itself looked like it had recently undergone a renovation and was done properly; the interior design was perfect and fit the location great. Even the bathrooms were nice which I think says a lot. Being quite the beer snob and home brewer is almost a sin because I am more often than not disappointed with the beer lists I see at restaurants all around. This was not exactly the case at Zoka's I perused the beer list for a moment and noticed they had several good beers on tap and an exceptional wine selection. They had many Avery beers on tap and also had a decent selection of bottles behind the bar, I'd like to see them expand the list but wouldn't expect it considering Zoka's is a small restaurant about an hour from Denver. None the less I didn't have much difficulty finding one of my "go-to" beers which was an IPA from Avery Brewery. Although the next time I return to Zoka's I will definitely be exploring the depths of their wine list and bourbons! After getting my beer I had the chance to take a deeper look into their menu which a nicely bound green leather book. The menu changes daily which made me exulted in indecision, the array of meals spanned from Kobe beef burgers to a Salmon and Stilton burger and I've even heard a couple of times that they have "the best blue crab cakes ever!" My sister lives in Maryland and I go there a lot so that is quite the statement, but I'll be back to give those a review as well! I finally managed to narrow my choices down to the Salmon and Stilton Burger and the Reuben; I chose the Reuben and was absolutely blown away. I used to be a cook and have had many great cuts of meat and my fair share of Reuben's, but this was by far the best I have ever had. The meat was house cured corned beef and had beautifully bloody tint that drew me straight in. The meal was hugely rewarding and I still felt great an hour later, whoever is responsible for this celestial lunch deserves a place in heaven regardless of their sins! When I got my bill it was $14.00, that's what I call a good price point. Zoka's is worth the drive from Denver and then some even if it is just for the people, and if you're in the area you simply cannot pass up on the opportunity. I would recommend Zoka's to bikers, priests, children, the elderly and your mom. Anyone who appreciates good food needs to put this one on their list.
(5)Justice M.
After hiking in the nearby Lost Creek Wilderness, we were hungry and even more thirsty for a cold beer. Zoka's was surprisingly good and busy on a Saturday afternoon. Menu was typical upscale pub fare with some notable exceptions including the Kobe beef burgers. Six CO microbrews on tap and an oddly large wine list. Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area.
(4)Molly M.
After stopping at the new Riverbend in Bailey, where we waited 20 minutes for them to tell us we couldn't tie our dog to the outdoor deck, even though there were 5 dogs out there already - we luckily said goodbye forever to that waste of a restaurant and headed to Pine. Zoka's is everything we look for in a restsurant and more. Beautiful patio, wonderful service and relatively quiet setting. The food is amazing and innovative. We loved the honey smoked salmon appy. Tasted so fresh and not overly sweet. Best of all Zoka's is super dog friendly! They allow dogs on the patio and even offer a $4.00 fido burger which I'm sure was the best thing our Golden has ever had! Don't waste your time in Bailey, drive a little further and eat where they appreciate your business and deliver great food!
(5)Jo Ann L.
Worth the drive? Always a great experience! Locals and visitors! Wonderful food no matter what we order! Make the trip off rt. 285 through the windy road to this beautiful location nestled in the little town.
(5)Jenn C.
Oh wow! After a long day running the North Fork trail and hanging out by the South Platte river, we headed to Zoka's, which had been highly recommended by my boyfriend's coworker. He said the fish and chips were the best he'd ever had. After living in Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA for many years, I am very skeptical of seafood in the mountains, even fried fish and chips. Skeptical no more! The location is in the middle of nowhere, but is a super cute little mountain restaurant, with a wrap-around porch with gorgeous views. The inside has sweet climbing murals on the walls. We sat on the porch and caught the last rays of sunshine from the day. We arrived around 5, during happy hour. Started with a couple of moscow mules with homemade ginger beer. Very tasty. Our appetizer was the chopped pork chili fries that were fantastic! I'm not usually a fan of those kinds of fries, but the house green chili bbq sauce was a perfect mix of sweet and spicy, the pork was great, and adding a little ketchup made them perfection! We both ordered fish and chips, although I had a very hard time deciding between those and the crab cakes, it was totally worth it for both of us to get the same thing!! The cod was fried to perfection and the chips (fries) were just as good on their own as they were in the appetizer. And I haven't had hushpuppies like their's since I left the South! We were too full to try dessert, and needed to get home, but we will definitely be back to try the key lime pie!!! The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is that the service was a little slow/scattered, but no reason to avoid!!!
(4)Nene O.
I had the salmon and Swiss burger with fries. It was a very good meal and I was able to wash it down with an Avery IPA I believe. The barbecue sauce I asked for on the side was what really made it great. I was fortunate to visit this place after hiking cheeseman canyon. I would recommend this place and return myself whenever I'm in the area. They also have beautiful murals that depict the surrounding areas if that's your sort of thing. But I appreciated them as well.
(4)Stephanie M.
Everything about this place makes me happy. Great energy, consistently delicious, fresh food, cold beer and really great people! It's my favorite place to stop for a bite to eat after a day hike or drive in the mountains. They have a little bit of everything on the menu but the pork sandwich is one of my favorites. The Zoka burger is out of this world! When the weather is nice, the patio is a sweet spot to hang with the pups. They even serve corned beef hash for Sunday brunch for when I want food with my Bloody Mary. I would give them 10 stars if I could.
(5)Mitchell D.
For the past 4 years I have been going here and let me tell you I have never had a bad experience! I've tried pretty much everything on the menu at this point! My personal favorites are the Ribs which are next level! The Zoka burger is also amazing! I went in two days ago and learned they now serve breakfast! Can't wait to try it! If you live in the conifer evergreen area and have never been its must! If your just trying to escape the Denver heat you won't be disappointed! The views are epic! Always elk and deer runnin around! Beautiful river across the street! And if you make a day trip out of it there are a few hikes such as pine valley ranch l, cathedral spires, and more!!!
(5)Emily C.
5 stars for the location and the view, 3 stars for the service, which was frantic yet friendly the day we went, and just a star or two for the food and interior. Man, if they added some solar tubes or skylights, got rid of the sponge painted, early 2000's feeling decor, and opted for something simple and rustic, and updated their food a little bit, we'd be in business for sure. The wrap-around porch with seating is to die for. My hash and eggs were kinda cold and boring. There were weird, squishy, fatty bits in the hash. Ick. You've got the location, you've got a crowd, just tighten it up, and you'll be all good.
(3)M. L.
Within the context of rural Colorado mountain communities, Zokas is relatively good. In a more competitive environment, the business would struggle. The menu is interesting and diverse and sounds appealing, but critically the food is good, not great. My seared sesame ahi was smaller than a deck of cards, on top of an enormous pile of noodles; a little pricy for what you got actually. My dates spaghetti dish was good and again generous with the noodles, reasonably priced. I'd consider Zokas a good family-style restaurant and bar. For a Wednesday evening the bar area was lively. They have periodic specials to draw in the community so we don't turn into a bunch o' hermits. ; ) Cheers, M.
(3)Angela W.
Always a wonderful place to go. Have tried almost everything here and have never been disappointed. I love the fried cauliflower tossed in buffalo sauce. It's amazing. They have outdoor seating as well which is really nice to enjoy in the evening. I will keep coming here.
(5)Kippen L.
After a hike nearby we stopped in at Zokas. What a nice place to rest and have lunch! We had the Reuben which was the best we have tried anywhere else. Prices were very fair, wait staff was super friendly and even brought water bowl for our dog. We will definitely be back!
(5)Katelyn O.
Love this place!!! The food and the staff are absolutely amazing!!! I wish there was a place like this in my state!
(5)Karen N.
Visiting from Virginia, my son (who lives in Lakewood) wanted me to see Bucksnort on a Thursday afternoon. The ride was fun, but it's only open on the weekend. So glad, since we found Zoka's. What?! Maryland-style crabcakes in the mountains?! Very skeptical. My first question was, do you use blue crab? Since the answer was yes, we ordered them and very glad we did. Very little filler and very delicious. Their chili made with house-smoked pork was also yummy. Their house salad is excellent. My son really enjoyed the salmon cake/stilton sandwich. Our friend's corned beef sandwich looked like it came out of a NYC deli! Goodness, gracious, if I didn't live in Virginia, I'd be there all the time. What a find!
(5)Dan S.
As I post this review let me first say I have enjoyed being a patron of Zokas since the opened. however, this evening I went there with a party of ten after making reservations earlier in the day and had the worst restaurant experience I could ever imagine. Five of us ordered the full rack of ribs (a Zokas signature dish) 45 minutes later five plates of absolutely burnt inedible food was presented to us and rude comments made about us taking up all there grilling space with our order. The replacement food we ordered was of very poor quality as well. Our bill was delivered with no consideration of the problems we encountered. One of our party approached the owner he was beyond rude in front of other patrons and only after making our concerns bluntly known did he begrudgingly take any action. Sadly it appears the factors that once made Zokas very special have changed and even long time patrons are just marks to be given substandard food and expected to pay with out comment. SAD :(
(1)Justin P.
I have to update my 1 star review from 9 months ago. Decided to try Zoka's a week ago and have been back another time. It's good, really good. You can tell the food is made in house, as well as the condiments. I am a BBQ nut and Zoka's sauce is fantastic. I happened to order the Zoka's burger (Kobe beef, caramelized onions, blue cheese) and its is very good. The real star of this, and some other dishes, is the bacon. Their sweet & spicy bacon is phenomenal! Wife had Carne Asada tacos the first time and they were great...best "Mexican" food in the area. Our second visit she had the blue cheese Meatloaf hoagie. Holy cow, it was huge but also delicious. The kids say they have the best Mac n Cheese they have ever had and the fries are good too. We ordered the crab cakes for an appetizer and also ordered the smoked salmon. Both were good but I think we liked the crab cakes more. We will definitely be regulars here. I have to note that the service has been friendly the last two times we have been there too. We also have only eaten off the lunch menu so we'll be back for dinner this week.
(4)Monica Z.
A great place after a day in the hills :) The cauliflower "hot wings" are absolutely awesome. My hubby gives the zoka burger 3 thumbs up! They have a great salad menu that has home grown veggies on it as well. The staff is really cool :) All around, a hidden gem. Maybe I shouldn't tell anyone about it. ...
(5)Matt M.
Dropped by on a charity poker run. Worth the ride any day. Had the rhubarb burger. Perfectly cooked. Will be back!
(5)Jennifer D.
I absolutely loved this restaurant. My husband and I drove fifteen miles from the remote cabin where we were staying on the recommendation of the Deckers General Store owner. The ambiance is artistically woodsy and charmingly garish; the service was wonderful - Erik (?) was obviously a proponent of many a Zoka's dish; the food was delicious, fresh, and sourced from local farms; the wine list was impressive and reasonably priced. Although I don't feel the need to tout my restaurant experience in an effort to lend validity to my excitement about this place, let it be known that I have served at several upscale restaurants, and I have eaten at countless fine fooderies. Our meal at Zoka's was one of the best.
(5)Justin S.
Great food and location but the experience highly depends on the service. Kurt, owner, drew us in 5 or 6 visits ago and we have yet to see him again. He was so passionate about his food and beer and what to order. Every time since has been a kid that seems to give a shit what we order. Not worth the drive without Kurt out in the dining room.
(3)Christopher B.
This place was a really nice surprise. I didn't know what to expect but it didn't take long to be completely impressed! We started with the sauteed mushrooms, which were really good and then followed it up with the elk medallions and the mac n cheese. I'm not sure which was better but everything was excellent. Also, the waiter was great and he was very attentive to anything we needed. When I'm in the area again this will certainly be a top option for me!
(4)Lisa M.
We went to Zokas last night for dinner -- I was a little worried after reading recent reviews about poor service, but our server Craig was fantastic. He was sweet to our kids (tried to get our 13-year old son to try the Buffalo Cauliflower), brought all the extras we asked for, kept our drinks filled up, and stopped by the table to check on us multiple times. We only waited 5 min or so for our drinks, and the afore-mentioned Buffalo Cauliflower (which is FANTASTIC...and could be eaten as a meal it's so filling) came out hot 5-10 min after we ordered it. The 4 of us split the ribs, fish & chips, and crabcakes appetizer for dinner (and the kitchen split everything up onto multiple plates for us without us asking - everybody got their own servings of cole slaw and fries). Ribs were super tender but the sauce was a little tangy for me. Crabcakes were excellent (and definitely "crabby" in a good way like a previous reviewer mentioned). Fish & chips was my favorite -- it's a huge portion and everything is cooked perfectly. Great hushpuppies too. We live in Pine Junction and will definitely be heading back to Zokas soon.
(5)Valerie P.
The burgers, atmosphere and the pretty drive to get there make this a unique place to go to. If you haven't been to Pine, CO, don't blink because you could miss it. The service was good, although they could have had a few more servers...ours had at least 15 tables. They have a dog run. We thoroughly enjoyed the purple potato salad.
(4)Dan H.
This little place is fantastic. A friend and I stopped in on a snowy Saturday evening and the place was about a third full--mostly older couples getting dinner and a couple of folks sitting at the bar. Our waiter (whose name escapes me) was super cool, giving us the selling points on Zoka's famous crab cakes. Turns out, he wasn't lying--those crab cakes are TO. DIE. FOR. I could've eaten another order in place of dinner, if I hadn't been planning on sleeping with another person that night. Speaking of my sleeping mate, she had the prime rib and mashed potatoes. The rib was a little rarer than ordered (not that I'm complaining), but other than that, it was superb. Juicy and soft on the inside and seared nicely on the outside. The garlic mashed potatoes were also excellent--not too chunky, and just the right amount of garlic. We cut things off before dessert, but are definitely looking forward to going back to try the ice cream brownie and tiramisu! Most of the mountain towns around Boulder are pretty provincial--Zoka's was just the opposite. A warm, welcome place that didn't feel like a secret club or like it was wearing some kind of disguise. Definitely going to eat here again!
(5)Colleen M.
Great smoked salmon appetizer, big enough to share and very original. But the entrees were mediocre at best. I visit Pine County, CO, at least twice a year, and always hit Zokas at least once, but no more. Shrimp were flat and barely fit for a fast food place. Prime rib was over smoked and fatty. New York strip was very tough. Mashed potatoes used to be worth the trip. Last night they were dull and commercial. Fresh veggies were well prepared and crisp. Stick to veggies and appetizer. We were too disappointed in entrees to order dessert. We were afraid they would have gone downhill also.
(2)Ann R.
I love Zoka's! My boyfriend and I stayed at a B&B in Pine for my Birthday weekend last year and the owners recommended it. We went there for dinner on Friday and enjoyed it so much that we went back again on Saturday after a nice hike at Pine Valley Ranch. We took a group of friends there after my boyfriend's Birthday hike this past weekend and they were so accommodating. We had to split up the group and the dog owners sat outside with their pooches, since there wasn't enough room for all of us on the porch, but we very much appreciated them allowing the dogs to begin with. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but I especially recommend the buffalo cauliflower and onion ring (delicious dipping sauce!) appetizers, and the Zoka Burger and pulled pork entrees. Plus, the Left Hand Milk Stout brownie sundae is awesome! Some might consider the dinner menu a little pricey, but the portions are quite large and the ingredients are fresh, so the prices are actually reasonable considering. The service can be a little slow depending on how busy they are, but remember you're in Pine, enjoy the people and atmosphere, and go with the flow!
(5)Jules C.
Child friendly, great food and wonderful views along the valley. We went on an expedition from Evergreen to see the Buck Snort Saloon in Pine. It is a lovely drive but the Saloon itself is not ideal for small children so we stopped at Zokas 5 minutes away instead. The service was really friendly. My husband and I shared a crab cakes benedict and a salad, both were delicious! The kids tucked into a bento box of kid friendly fare and enjoyed it. Recommend going on a warm day so you can enjoy eating out on the patio with the great views
(5)Melissa S.
First visit to Zokas, and probably our last. The food was good, but the service was terrible. Lunch time, after the annual Christmas tree cutting in Buffalo Creek. The parking lot was not full, so we thought we'd stop. We had a party of 5 people, and it took us over an hour to get our food, just sandwiches too. All of the tables were full, but tables seated after us were getting their food before us. Only a few servers, and then about an hour into our visit, they pulled a few "servers" out of the woodwork. Tasty food but not worth the 90+ minute wait for sandwiches. Restaurant Impossible where are you!
(2)Liz U.
Great hidden gem!! I've been here twice now and everything about it is wonderful!! On my most recent trip, I brought my dad for fathers day and I must say i have never had a waitress who I think enjoys her job so much!! She had the sweetest southern accent (wish I could remember her name, but she was from NM originally) and was so happy to just chat and recommend things for us! Her family was even sitting at the next table and she never once forgot about us! I had the chesapeake benedict which is DELICOUS and my dad got the corned beef hash, a dish he loves. Great place to sit on the patio and enjoy the mountain breeze. Very dog friendly (which always gets 5 stars in my book!!)
(5)Lauren D.
This little joint is a true delight. We went for a day hike on the Colorado trail last Sunday and brought along some leftovers planning to heat them over a campfire in the evening, but we were tempted to Zoka's by the promise of cold beers. What I expected to be a delightful little sandwich joint proved to be a really excellent dining experience. We shared the quinoa salad, which was light and flavorful and really fresh. My friend had the eggplant parmesan, which was to die for; I had the Thai trout, which was to die for. The service was stellar, and we got to shake hands with the chef. Everything is delicious and comfortable and sweet. I rarely write reviews, but I was really tickled with this little place and will definitely be back.
(5)Dara D.
I've been here twice - once during the week for dinner and once for brunch on a Sunday. For dinner I got the steak and my husband ordered the deer with blueberry sauce. Both were amazing. Seriously one of the best restaurant steaks I've ever had. It was also a large portion of steak, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. I was stuffed. The deer meat was also tender and not at all gamey. For brunch I got the Chesapeake style eggs benedict - two poached eggs atop two crab cakes. I second the review about the crabcakes being very crabby haha. Barely any filler. They were really good, and this is coming from a former Maryland resident. It does get busy on the weekends, especially on nice days with the hikers and motorcyclists, but it's a large restaurant, we haven't had to wait for a table. They also allow dogs on the patio and have dogs bowl for water, which I appreciate after hiking with our little monster.
(5)Alex L.
It's been a little while since we made our way over to Zoka's, but we had such a good experience there that I had to write a review. We're currently living in Denver, and one day we got lost on some back roads around Pine and found this restaurant. We were hungry and tired of driving so we stopped in and ate at the bar. Best idea. We were served by the owner (I believe). We had some awesome drinks, one of which was an excellent Moscow Mule. We also ordered some wings and other appetizers. Everything was good and service was great. The restaurant was full of faithful locals who did nothing but rave about how awesome all the food was. Everyone was very friendly and we had a very pleasant experience. Pine is very out of the way for us but we still plan on making it back just so we can visit Zoka's again.
(5)Tom M.
Over the top!! Like always.
(5)Nate H.
I'd driven past this place several times, and just got the chance to stop in on Sunday for lunch. I was expecting standard bar food, but was pleasantly surprised to find better. Wings were shared along with a bowl of Green Chili. The Reuben was excellent with thick sliced corned beef. I'll definitely be stopping in again.
(4)Nora C.
Great location, decent service but it's a crapshoot with the food. Sometimes very good sometimes beyond mediocre. Cross your fingers the chef is having a good day! A little pricey for what it serves up.
(3)Sean P.
A foodies paradise in the mountains! I initially found this place after a day of fly fishing on the river and was absolutely amazed at the quality of the menu in this remote of a location. I mean the Kobe beef burger alone is one of the best I have had in Colorado. However the true treasure this place offers is in the special menus they offer throughout the summer for special events and seasonal specials. For example my wife and I just went on Valentines day. One of the best decisions we have made for such a date night. We started with the pancetta wrapped shrimp with an amazing sauce that was a great start to the meal. Next had half a dozen oysters on the half shell and you might be skeptical this far from civilization but don't be as they were great and shucked perfectly. I got the surf and turf but had the filet oscar style and this was by far the best dish of the night! The lobster was perfect and the filet was the overall best! My wife got the prime rib with raspberry horseradish suave that was quite good also but the oscar style was still the best. Topped I all of with creme brûlée for desert. I hate to review this place as it truly is the best hidden gem in the mountains but being about an hour away from Denver proper will widely out the to the true foodie adventurer. Just a heads up I would sign up for their newsletter that give info on their specials and also making reservations for special events are a must at this location! Also since the place gets so packed with special events expect spending some time waiting for food as it is just that busy!
(5)Kasia K.
whats there not to like? Great food, great view, and bowl of fresh water for dogs on the deck. I do have to take one star off for slow service.
(4)Kim M.
We are new to the Pine area and stopped by Zoka's on a football Sunday. We sat at the bar and had excellent and attentive service. They have a nice selection of wines and craft beer. I had the Z-fast sandwich and thought it was delicious! My husband had the buffalo burger and is already asking me when we can go back for dinner. The staff is welcoming and it's a really fun atmosphere. Be sure to give them a try if you find yourself in our little neck of the woods.
(5)Kimberly M.
We had an excellent experience at Zoka's. Our group intended to visit the Buck Snort nearby, but they were closed due to a hard freeze. What a bummer and we had no idea where we would go instead... and then as we were driving we saw Zoka's and decided to stop in. I believe our server's name was Eric (I'm terrible with names so I apologize if that's incorrect) but he was great the entire time. We were seated right away and the place actually became about 5X more busy in the time were there. Now, in response to some other reviews - I can say that the wait was a little long. We enjoyed some beverages during that time and Erie shared with us the story of the restaurant's history, so it was fine on our timeline. I don't think it's a place to go in a hurry... it's the farthest thing from fast food in time and quality. We ordered the green chili fries and crab cakes for appetizers. The fries were excellent but the crab cakes were the BEST any of us had ever had. EVER. So highly recommend them, I can't emphasize this enough. There were 4 of us and we had one order which comes with 2 of them. Had to have another order! Came with a side of cole slaw. Best I've ever had also. Amazing flavor and the use of cranberries was creative and delicious. For meals, one person had a Rueben I think (best she ever had), one had the bowl of green chili (said it was incredible), one had steak and eggs (we were there at lunch time but he said it was the best steak he's ever had with a breakfast entree, cooked to perfection medium rare), and I had a chicken sandwich with bacon and avocado. I can't remember the name of the dish but it was amazing. I had originally asked for purple potato salad but was so in love with the cole slaw I changed my order so that was my size! No desert for us (we were stuffed)... but I can also say the bloody Mary was great. The location was SO beautiful. Can't wait to come back in the summer! They also have some great artwork for sale. We didn't have any negative experiences. I'm sure when it's busy there can be LONG waits.... but the quality we had, I would wait hours.
(5)Rob B.
I was camping in the pine and heard about this restaurant from word-of-mouth. In a secluded area I wasn't expecting too much but was gladly surprised. I ordered the Zoka burger and was curious about receiving Kobe beef for such a reasonable price. I was gladly surprised with the size of the burger but more importantly the taste! The Kobe beef was delicious and the cheese that came on it was paired extremely well. Word of advice: Spend the extra $1 and get the house salad as a side.. you will not be disappointed!
(4)Wolfhouser V.
The head chef, Christian, cooks with love. And you can taste it. The staff is delightful.
(5)Jeremy Y.
If I rated just on food, this place would be 5 Stars. GREAT food. Alas, the service was so bad, we won't return. It took us just over one hour from the time we ordered to get our food. During that time, I had to physically follow around the waitress to get any refills on drinks. I very respectfully asked who I assume is the owner if this is normal, and he said they were totally slammed and there was nothing he could do about it. Yet the restaurant was only 2/3 full. He then said he'd get us our refills personally. 20 minutes later, I waited until he was sort of just wandering around the restaurant, then asked him about our refills. He had totally forgotten. Again. Just like our server had for the previous 45 minutes. Both he and the waitstaff spent the remainder of our time avoiding us, except to finally bring out the food. Our plan was to spend the afternoon hiking around and playing along the Platte River with the kiddos. Between waiting to order, waiting for our initial beverages and waiting for our food and finally eating (in about 15 minutes as we had to leave), we were at Zoka's for just under 3 hours. Afternoon wrecked. Kiddos whiny. Had to get home. Sigh. Incredibly poor management. The guy is out of his depth. Why run a service oriented business when you don't actually like meeting the bare minimum for decent service? No apology. No discount. Making excuses. "You probably shouldn't come in on Saturdays" He really said that. And they were 2/3 full. Every table around us filled and emptied at least twice while we waited for our food. Unbelievable.
(1)Melissa H.
A weekend of roughing it and being dirty leaves you craving a juicy burger. Don't pass up the opportunity to have the Zoka burger made with Kobe beef, carmelized onions, and a cheese I can't remember the name of! It's served on a buttery ciabatta bread and is completed with a creamy, tangy coleslaw. This dish is perfect for sharing since it's rich and plentiful. They even serve it up on individual dishes for you if you're sharing. Always a nice touch. The house salad is a perfect starter with arugula and other greens topped with dried cranberries, goat cheese, almonds, and a raspberry vinaigrette that is fruity but not too sweet. Top off your visit with the Zoka mimosa - a peachy alternative to the traditional mimosa. Head up for a hike and stay for a late, relaxing lunch on the peaceful patio.
(4)Patrick E.
Really, really delicious. And that's an understatement. I had the Zoka Burger - Kobe beef, cambazola cheese, bacon, and all other sorts of delicious goodness. Seriously good. The fries were great, the purple potato salad was also a great choice. Not proud to admit this, but I wiped my plate clean with a quick finger swipe when nobody was watching. I left full and ready to go back. I live an hour away, but I'll be back. And again and again. The rest of the menu looked tasty, but it'll be tough not to order the burger. Great service, great food, reasonable prices, beautiful location. What's not to love?
(5)Lindsay B.
Go for a drive up 285, make a left at 126 and cruise down to the valley to Pine. Weekends in the summer can make for a busy road with all the bikers and campers but all in all it's a nice scenic drive. I stop at Zoka's once in a while when I'm in the area. The wraparound porch is my favorite place to chill. I have been impressed with every meal I've ordered. The portions are just right, so don't expect leftovers. In my case, I'm sure my dogs would get to any leftovers before me on the ride home anyway. And load your wallet, because you're paying for quality. Bring your dog(s) The Platte River forks nearby and this restaurant is dog friendly! Fully equipped with tie ups and water bowls. If you want to take a different route home to avoid some of the traffic back up 126, keep going South on 126 past Pine and take a left on S Platte River Rd/CR96 (unpaved) and follow the river a few miles until you see Foxton Rd (paved) on your left. This will take you back up the hill to 285 near Conifer.
(4)J K.
Go to Pine. Subscribe to Zoka's email newsletters. Reserve your spot at their next A+++ beer dinner. Grab a sixer (of cans, please) at Shadow Cellar's liquor next door to Zoka's, spend the afternoon with your feet in the peaceful Platte at Foxton, tromp around Pine Valley Ranch Park, browse the wares at Pine Emporium and catch the sunset drinking some of Colorado's best brews on Zoka's patio overlooking the beautiful valley before you experience the TLC that is Zoka's. And then maybe top off the night at the Bucksnort. Can I give the whole town 5 stars? Win, win, win, win, win, win. Nothing has changed about my opinion of Zoka's, but we recently enjoyed the Oktoberfest beer dinner, which of course was a ton of fun. Thought I'd share. They had their German beer distributors in and not only paired beers with each course of classic German favs, but paired history, trivia and prizes with each course too. Attendants to these dinners--for which they close off the dining room and let the rest of the diners sit in the lovely, spacious bar area--must share tables with others, making for some great meeting and mingling. As the evening advances, so do everyone's social skills and the more fun you're having, the more extra pours you get with each course. It's a drive to Pine from Denver, but so worth it. Please, treat yourself to this escape.
(5)Mark M.
Today was the second time I had been to Zokas and both times the food was great. This time however the experience was a bit strange to say the least. I arrived around 11:30 am and asked to be seated outside. At this point the restaurant was about 1/3 full. I ordered a beer and then a sandwich. By the time the sandwich arrived I was nearly done with my beer but the waitress didn't ask me if I wanted another. No big deal. As I was eating I noticed that the owner was sitting at a table next to the window with the hostess preparing menus and silverware etc. I was just about done with lunch when I heard the owner say to the hostess, "who has this guy" (presumably me). He immediately followed this up with " this guy needs to get the fuck out of here". He also went on to complain about how his business partner turned on the open sign to soon and had some choice words about an employee named Rachel. From beginning to end my lunch lasted about half of an hour and would have been quicker but the service was a bit slow. I have no idea why the owner wanted me to leave so badly. There were plenty of open tables so it wasn't as if I was keeping other patrons waiting. Again the food here is great but I don't have much respect for an owner who uses profanity with his female employees and who doesn't have enough common sense to watch his language when he is sitting next to an open window less than ten feet from a customer.
(3)Kim K.
If I could give 6 stars I would. We passed this place on the way to our hike and thought we'd check it out afterward for some beers. (They have a dog on their sign (Zoka) and we had our dogs with us...seemed promising that it was dog-friendly) Best idea ever! This is now one of my favorite places and I can't wait to take more friends there! The food was great and the service was amazing. We had an extremely knowledgeable and gracious waiter, Eric, who was not the least bit flustered with our table of 11. He gave a detailed description of each beer in the extensive selection, brought a sample of the purple potato salad (yum!) for us to try before ordering, and even offered separate checks right off the bat...and got every single one right! The menu has just about everything, including breakfast all afternoon. And did I mention it's a wi-fi hot spot? Not sure I could ask for anything else in a restaurant!
(5)Stacy E.
Fantastic surprise in a small town. Simple, delicious food w/ gourmet ingredients. It is seriously delicious food. Expensive for a lunch out, but definitely worth the money and the drive from Denver. We'd make the drive again, just for the food alone.
(5)Phil S.
If they are busy don't stop. Today is Sunday and the place is jumping the problem is they are under staffed and can't handle a crowd. Ordered a medium well burger got a raw burger, the silverware that they take care to wrap in the napkin was dirty they couldn't take the time to look at the flatware before they wrapped it so nicely. When they brought the burger back it was the same one, they put a burger with a bite out of it back on the grill, go figure. This is the third strike and the last time we stop here!
(1)jame s.
We stumbled on Zoka's today after a snowshoeing trek at Lost Creek Wilderness. It is a restaurant off the beaten path and well worth the trip. It is about 7 miles off 285 at Pine Grove. It was recommeded to us as healthy food, not health food. The atmosphere is comfortable with a large restaurant seating area including the bar for such a small town spot. There are fantastic murals on the wall in the restaurant and in the bar area. The menu changes daily, so if you like what you eat, good luck getting it again when you return. However, you won't be disappointed with anything you choose. We had the house salad made of mixed greens, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, goat cheese (of course) and a rasberry viniagrette. The salad was fresh and crisp. We both chose the lamb stew for our lunch. It was served with warmed pita bread too. The stew was hearty and chocked full of quality lamb pieces, carrots, and parsnips. I wanted to sop up all the savory sauce with my pita bread and resisted the temptation to lick the bowl. It was just what we needed after a our outdoor activity on a cold winter day. We ordered hot tea to accompany our meal and the server brought out a cup with steaming hot water and a tea pot full of water. She also brought for each of us a selection of Tazo Teas for our choosing. For dessert, we had the hot apple crumble made with cranberries and pecans and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a creme brulee. The brulee was more like a custard, served warm, and was exquisite. The crumble was warm as well and the perfect combination of sweet, tart, soft, and crisp. If you cannot tell by this review, we would go back in a minute! There were a number of things on the menu I wanted to try - pork green chili, hot meatloaf sandwich, smoked chicken pot pie, kobe beef burger with peppered bacon, quesadillas, and a variety of interesting menu items for kids. Zoka's is a true gem of a restaurant, a bit remote, but not all that far from Denver. Worth the drive!!
(5)J K.
Go to Pine. Subscribe to Zoka's email newsletters. Reserve your spot at their next A+++ beer dinner. Grab a sixer (of cans, please) at Shadow Cellar's liquor next door to Zoka's, spend the afternoon with your feet in the peaceful Platte at Foxton, tromp around Pine Valley Ranch Park, browse the wares at Pine Emporium and catch the sunset drinking some of Colorado's best brews on Zoka's patio overlooking the beautiful valley before you experience the TLC that is Zoka's. And then maybe top off the night at the Bucksnort. Can I give the whole town 5 stars? Win, win, win, win, win, win. Nothing has changed about my opinion of Zoka's, but we recently enjoyed the Oktoberfest beer dinner, which of course was a ton of fun. Thought I'd share. They had their German beer distributors in and not only paired beers with each course of classic German favs, but paired history, trivia and prizes with each course too. Attendants to these dinners--for which they close off the dining room and let the rest of the diners sit in the lovely, spacious bar area--must share tables with others, making for some great meeting and mingling. As the evening advances, so do everyone's social skills and the more fun you're having, the more extra pours you get with each course. It's a drive to Pine from Denver, but so worth it. Please, treat yourself to this escape.
(5)Steve B.
Best burger in Denver...maybe in the whole country...and the bloody Mary with house pickled green beans is also one of the best! Well worth the drive from anywhere!
(5)Julie D.
Our absolute favorite restaurant. Awesome food. Grat atmosphere. Well worth the drive!
(5)Mark M.
Today was the second time I had been to Zokas and both times the food was great. This time however the experience was a bit strange to say the least. I arrived around 11:30 am and asked to be seated outside. At this point the restaurant was about 1/3 full. I ordered a beer and then a sandwich. By the time the sandwich arrived I was nearly done with my beer but the waitress didn't ask me if I wanted another. No big deal. As I was eating I noticed that the owner was sitting at a table next to the window with the hostess preparing menus and silverware etc. I was just about done with lunch when I heard the owner say to the hostess, "who has this guy" (presumably me). He immediately followed this up with " this guy needs to get the fuck out of here". He also went on to complain about how his business partner turned on the open sign to soon and had some choice words about an employee named Rachel. From beginning to end my lunch lasted about half of an hour and would have been quicker but the service was a bit slow. I have no idea why the owner wanted me to leave so badly. There were plenty of open tables so it wasn't as if I was keeping other patrons waiting. Again the food here is great but I don't have much respect for an owner who uses profanity with his female employees and who doesn't have enough common sense to watch his language when he is sitting next to an open window less than ten feet from a customer.
(3)Kim K.
If I could give 6 stars I would. We passed this place on the way to our hike and thought we'd check it out afterward for some beers. (They have a dog on their sign (Zoka) and we had our dogs with us...seemed promising that it was dog-friendly) Best idea ever! This is now one of my favorite places and I can't wait to take more friends there! The food was great and the service was amazing. We had an extremely knowledgeable and gracious waiter, Eric, who was not the least bit flustered with our table of 11. He gave a detailed description of each beer in the extensive selection, brought a sample of the purple potato salad (yum!) for us to try before ordering, and even offered separate checks right off the bat...and got every single one right! The menu has just about everything, including breakfast all afternoon. And did I mention it's a wi-fi hot spot? Not sure I could ask for anything else in a restaurant!
(5)Stacy E.
Fantastic surprise in a small town. Simple, delicious food w/ gourmet ingredients. It is seriously delicious food. Expensive for a lunch out, but definitely worth the money and the drive from Denver. We'd make the drive again, just for the food alone.
(5)Phil S.
If they are busy don't stop. Today is Sunday and the place is jumping the problem is they are under staffed and can't handle a crowd. Ordered a medium well burger got a raw burger, the silverware that they take care to wrap in the napkin was dirty they couldn't take the time to look at the flatware before they wrapped it so nicely. When they brought the burger back it was the same one, they put a burger with a bite out of it back on the grill, go figure. This is the third strike and the last time we stop here!
(1)Didi S.
Zokas is doing great monthly events and having some live music too. September is wild game month. We had some really good food. We had a great duck appetizer. Also, I like the fun and different drink specials. Still loving Zokas!
(4)Matt S.
Talk about a diamond in the rough! Went backpacking with some friends and stopped in expecting some burgers and fries. Wrong. Full bar with a fine beer selection (3 taps of Avery, Franziskaner, some other CO company). The food menu was very sophisticated and had everything from quinoa salad to stir fry to the Kobe beef burgers others have talked about. The owner chatted us up and the wait staff was friendly. My dark and stormy was fantastic. The stir fry was a little too salty but alfredo pasta was good and same with the burger. Definitely the best place around those parts.
(4)Lucas W.
I had never been to Zoka's before until I was taken there on a whim by a buddy of mine... I was SO impressed. The setting is in tiny-town Pine, and the patio atmosphere is second to none. The food was first class, and was served at very reasonable prices. If you're anywhere close to Pine and are looking for high-end food at a not so high end price, this is the ticket. Had the burger at on recommendation of the owner and it was spot on.
(5)Timothy C.
The food was excellent. We had rattlesnake and rabbit sausage, elk medallions, and pasta, all very well done. The server was very patient as she answered a barrage of questions from my in-laws. The service was well timed and friendly. We will be going back.
(5)Stephen B.
It's been a while since I've been here, but I remember that it's awesome. I got a cabin with my family in what we thought was the middle of nowhere, and randomly this cool restaurant was a quarter mile from our place. The signature burger (I forget the name, Zoka Burger?) and french fries are great. This place is an oasis of great food located among the beautiful mountains of Colorado. Get a cabin nearby for a night or two and let the good times roll.
(5)James F.
A friend of mine recently drove me down to this amazing little restaurant hidden away in Pine, CO. Zoka's offers a daily changing menu with fresh organic and natural ingredients, and a Full bar with a nice selection of local micro-brews. Sitting down in the bar you can see an array of beautiful art work which reflects the local culture and history. The food was simply amazing(along with the service), I am going to make a habit of making the drive out to Zoka's when I am in town again.
(5)Ed M.
This place is simply unbelievable! What a surprise to find such an outstanding menu out in the middle of nowhere. I wrote in detail on my experience in my blog below, but can tell you here that I had the best triple-cream brie infused Kobe beef burger ever. And the Salsa is pretty tasty too. edmahoney.wordpress.com/…
(5)Bryan H.
Zokas is a rare find in a town of no more than 100 people. The owner has operated several big name resturant in the past, thus knows his business. Yet what makes it more than a place to eat is the how the owners, staff and community make this a true gem. Kurt the owner doesn't know eveything and doesn't pretend to but he has a humble way of teaching and learning more about food, drink, community and life which breeds into the staff and patrons. You'll feel like home and you will always leave satisfied.
(5)Neversummer 8.
Zoka's is the best for a draught beer and healthy eats following your ride in Buffalo Creek. Also, the deck is so dog friendly it has leads tied to their deck posts and water bowls, plus a nook for especially ornery pooches like mine.
(4)Kristian A.
The last thing I expected to be witness to after entering Zoka's Bar and Grill was a cook exiting the kitchen in an apron that had a print of an oiled muscle man from head to toe, women were hooting and howling and the kids were laughing hysterically, I knew I was in a good place. As I entered the bar I noticed a mural of two dogs above the entrance and quickly associated it with the Zoka's sign I saw on my way in, people who like dogs are good with me! I approached the bar and was delighted to see the massive oak framed mirror that stood watch over the enchanting array of booze below. Just by taking a look around I could tell that the food was going to be quality, to what extent I had no Idea. The bar tender was very nice and it was in a genuine way! Not the I'm going to smile for a 20% or more tip kind of nice. In fact I noticed this trend around the entire restaurant and it was a good change of pace, real people are hard to find these days. Even the owner Kurt came out and introduced himself to me, we chatted for a few minutes and it became obvious that everyone associated with Zoka's had a common goal. Good food, good spirits, and good people. The atmosphere was great and the noise level was rather moderate, meaning you didn't have to yell at the person who was sitting next to you to carry on a conversation. The restaurant itself looked like it had recently undergone a renovation and was done properly; the interior design was perfect and fit the location great. Even the bathrooms were nice which I think says a lot. Being quite the beer snob and home brewer is almost a sin because I am more often than not disappointed with the beer lists I see at restaurants all around. This was not exactly the case at Zoka's I perused the beer list for a moment and noticed they had several good beers on tap and an exceptional wine selection. They had many Avery beers on tap and also had a decent selection of bottles behind the bar, I'd like to see them expand the list but wouldn't expect it considering Zoka's is a small restaurant about an hour from Denver. None the less I didn't have much difficulty finding one of my "go-to" beers which was an IPA from Avery Brewery. Although the next time I return to Zoka's I will definitely be exploring the depths of their wine list and bourbons! After getting my beer I had the chance to take a deeper look into their menu which a nicely bound green leather book. The menu changes daily which made me exulted in indecision, the array of meals spanned from Kobe beef burgers to a Salmon and Stilton burger and I've even heard a couple of times that they have "the best blue crab cakes ever!" My sister lives in Maryland and I go there a lot so that is quite the statement, but I'll be back to give those a review as well! I finally managed to narrow my choices down to the Salmon and Stilton Burger and the Reuben; I chose the Reuben and was absolutely blown away. I used to be a cook and have had many great cuts of meat and my fair share of Reuben's, but this was by far the best I have ever had. The meat was house cured corned beef and had beautifully bloody tint that drew me straight in. The meal was hugely rewarding and I still felt great an hour later, whoever is responsible for this celestial lunch deserves a place in heaven regardless of their sins! When I got my bill it was $14.00, that's what I call a good price point. Zoka's is worth the drive from Denver and then some even if it is just for the people, and if you're in the area you simply cannot pass up on the opportunity. I would recommend Zoka's to bikers, priests, children, the elderly and your mom. Anyone who appreciates good food needs to put this one on their list.
(5)Lindsay B.
Go for a drive up 285, make a left at 126 and cruise down to the valley to Pine. Weekends in the summer can make for a busy road with all the bikers and campers but all in all it's a nice scenic drive. I stop at Zoka's once in a while when I'm in the area. The wraparound porch is my favorite place to chill. I have been impressed with every meal I've ordered. The portions are just right, so don't expect leftovers. In my case, I'm sure my dogs would get to any leftovers before me on the ride home anyway. And load your wallet, because you're paying for quality. Bring your dog(s) The Platte River forks nearby and this restaurant is dog friendly! Fully equipped with tie ups and water bowls. If you want to take a different route home to avoid some of the traffic back up 126, keep going South on 126 past Pine and take a left on S Platte River Rd/CR96 (unpaved) and follow the river a few miles until you see Foxton Rd (paved) on your left. This will take you back up the hill to 285 near Conifer.
(4)Kimberly M.
We had an excellent experience at Zoka's. Our group intended to visit the Buck Snort nearby, but they were closed due to a hard freeze. What a bummer and we had no idea where we would go instead... and then as we were driving we saw Zoka's and decided to stop in. I believe our server's name was Eric (I'm terrible with names so I apologize if that's incorrect) but he was great the entire time. We were seated right away and the place actually became about 5X more busy in the time were there. Now, in response to some other reviews - I can say that the wait was a little long. We enjoyed some beverages during that time and Erie shared with us the story of the restaurant's history, so it was fine on our timeline. I don't think it's a place to go in a hurry... it's the farthest thing from fast food in time and quality. We ordered the green chili fries and crab cakes for appetizers. The fries were excellent but the crab cakes were the BEST any of us had ever had. EVER. So highly recommend them, I can't emphasize this enough. There were 4 of us and we had one order which comes with 2 of them. Had to have another order! Came with a side of cole slaw. Best I've ever had also. Amazing flavor and the use of cranberries was creative and delicious. For meals, one person had a Rueben I think (best she ever had), one had the bowl of green chili (said it was incredible), one had steak and eggs (we were there at lunch time but he said it was the best steak he's ever had with a breakfast entree, cooked to perfection medium rare), and I had a chicken sandwich with bacon and avocado. I can't remember the name of the dish but it was amazing. I had originally asked for purple potato salad but was so in love with the cole slaw I changed my order so that was my size! No desert for us (we were stuffed)... but I can also say the bloody Mary was great. The location was SO beautiful. Can't wait to come back in the summer! They also have some great artwork for sale. We didn't have any negative experiences. I'm sure when it's busy there can be LONG waits.... but the quality we had, I would wait hours.
(5)Jeremy Y.
If I rated just on food, this place would be 5 Stars. GREAT food. Alas, the service was so bad, we won't return. It took us just over one hour from the time we ordered to get our food. During that time, I had to physically follow around the waitress to get any refills on drinks. I very respectfully asked who I assume is the owner if this is normal, and he said they were totally slammed and there was nothing he could do about it. Yet the restaurant was only 2/3 full. He then said he'd get us our refills personally. 20 minutes later, I waited until he was sort of just wandering around the restaurant, then asked him about our refills. He had totally forgotten. Again. Just like our server had for the previous 45 minutes. Both he and the waitstaff spent the remainder of our time avoiding us, except to finally bring out the food. Our plan was to spend the afternoon hiking around and playing along the Platte River with the kiddos. Between waiting to order, waiting for our initial beverages and waiting for our food and finally eating (in about 15 minutes as we had to leave), we were at Zoka's for just under 3 hours. Afternoon wrecked. Kiddos whiny. Had to get home. Sigh. Incredibly poor management. The guy is out of his depth. Why run a service oriented business when you don't actually like meeting the bare minimum for decent service? No apology. No discount. Making excuses. "You probably shouldn't come in on Saturdays" He really said that. And they were 2/3 full. Every table around us filled and emptied at least twice while we waited for our food. Unbelievable.
(1)Daisy S.
This place is fabulous! My husband and I recently moved to Colorado from Chicago and I was pretty scared the food wouldn't meet my expectations that I have been use to in Chicago. Luckily we stumbled into Zoka's only 3miles from our new cabin home and absolutely loved it! They change their menu everyday. Last friday we tried the 3 sausages (rabbit w/ rattle snake, spicey jalapeno elk and wild boar) with mashed potatoes! That was my dish and we started off with onion rings with chipotle dip. My husband ordered the pulled pork which he also loved. I am very glad i tried the 3 sausages, I had never tried those types of sausages ever but I did not regret ordering them! I liked it so much i made my husband bring me back tonight. This time we decided to try something new. I tried the grilled duck breast and have to say it was the most delightful duck i have tried. It wasn't chewy or fatty..it almost felt like eating fillet mignon. My husband tried the shrimp udon which was spicy but flavorful. We are going to try to come here every friday and try something new each time. My next pick, wild mushroom ravioli!
(5)Ann R.
I love Zoka's! My boyfriend and I stayed at a B&B in Pine for my Birthday weekend last year and the owners recommended it. We went there for dinner on Friday and enjoyed it so much that we went back again on Saturday after a nice hike at Pine Valley Ranch. We took a group of friends there after my boyfriend's Birthday hike this past weekend and they were so accommodating. We had to split up the group and the dog owners sat outside with their pooches, since there wasn't enough room for all of us on the porch, but we very much appreciated them allowing the dogs to begin with. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but I especially recommend the buffalo cauliflower and onion ring (delicious dipping sauce!) appetizers, and the Zoka Burger and pulled pork entrees. Plus, the Left Hand Milk Stout brownie sundae is awesome! Some might consider the dinner menu a little pricey, but the portions are quite large and the ingredients are fresh, so the prices are actually reasonable considering. The service can be a little slow depending on how busy they are, but remember you're in Pine, enjoy the people and atmosphere, and go with the flow!
(5)Jules C.
Child friendly, great food and wonderful views along the valley. We went on an expedition from Evergreen to see the Buck Snort Saloon in Pine. It is a lovely drive but the Saloon itself is not ideal for small children so we stopped at Zokas 5 minutes away instead. The service was really friendly. My husband and I shared a crab cakes benedict and a salad, both were delicious! The kids tucked into a bento box of kid friendly fare and enjoyed it. Recommend going on a warm day so you can enjoy eating out on the patio with the great views
(5)Valerie P.
The burgers, atmosphere and the pretty drive to get there make this a unique place to go to. If you haven't been to Pine, CO, don't blink because you could miss it. The service was good, although they could have had a few more servers...ours had at least 15 tables. They have a dog run. We thoroughly enjoyed the purple potato salad.
(4)Melissa S.
First visit to Zokas, and probably our last. The food was good, but the service was terrible. Lunch time, after the annual Christmas tree cutting in Buffalo Creek. The parking lot was not full, so we thought we'd stop. We had a party of 5 people, and it took us over an hour to get our food, just sandwiches too. All of the tables were full, but tables seated after us were getting their food before us. Only a few servers, and then about an hour into our visit, they pulled a few "servers" out of the woodwork. Tasty food but not worth the 90+ minute wait for sandwiches. Restaurant Impossible where are you!
(2)Liz U.
Great hidden gem!! I've been here twice now and everything about it is wonderful!! On my most recent trip, I brought my dad for fathers day and I must say i have never had a waitress who I think enjoys her job so much!! She had the sweetest southern accent (wish I could remember her name, but she was from NM originally) and was so happy to just chat and recommend things for us! Her family was even sitting at the next table and she never once forgot about us! I had the chesapeake benedict which is DELICOUS and my dad got the corned beef hash, a dish he loves. Great place to sit on the patio and enjoy the mountain breeze. Very dog friendly (which always gets 5 stars in my book!!)
(5)Emily J.
Your food continues to be outstanding and inventive, after frequenting this restaurant for a year now. However, your waitstaff is abominable. Each time we're there, we're either ignored and end up leaving without ordering dessert or leave sooner than anticipated due to rudeness and unprofessional behavior. Note: if I order a drink and decide that there is an extreme amount of ginger in it, compared to a complementary amount, then we I say "I don't want this. Please take it back", it's best not to snatch it from my hand, turn swiftly, storm off, and loudly say "Jesus Christ!" The owner here used to own an establishment in Old Town, Alexandria, VA, where high quality customer service is expected, not as mediocre as this. A shame, because within this past year, we've often recommended this restaurant for a pleasant afternoon drive followed by a tasty meal. We know several who have dined here and unfortunately, we've experienced enough dislike in your service that we no longer will be doing this.
(2)Dirk V.
Great food & service. Taste & fool: Everything a cut above. Good selection of beers. A gem in the mountains. Definitely worth driving out of the way for.
(5)Jack J.
In a nutshell: *Service that couldn't be slower if the scouted employee's from assisted living centers. *Nasty salty food that was warm when it should be cold and cold when it should be hot. *Rude waitstaff; you'd think you're at Ed Debevics, except they're just being a-holes at Zorkas... *Long wait for a table *Prepare to be made part of a social experiment if you complain, the owner is a jerk. STAY AWAY!!
(1)Melissa H.
A weekend of roughing it and being dirty leaves you craving a juicy burger. Don't pass up the opportunity to have the Zoka burger made with Kobe beef, carmelized onions, and a cheese I can't remember the name of! It's served on a buttery ciabatta bread and is completed with a creamy, tangy coleslaw. This dish is perfect for sharing since it's rich and plentiful. They even serve it up on individual dishes for you if you're sharing. Always a nice touch. The house salad is a perfect starter with arugula and other greens topped with dried cranberries, goat cheese, almonds, and a raspberry vinaigrette that is fruity but not too sweet. Top off your visit with the Zoka mimosa - a peachy alternative to the traditional mimosa. Head up for a hike and stay for a late, relaxing lunch on the peaceful patio.
(4)Beth W.
This place is awesome. I had no idea it even existed, but my parents bought some property that we came to check out, and they found it in their drives around the area. First, the decor is awesome. Love it. Simple, but really matches the theme of the area, and very nicely done. The employees are so friendly and really had a good sense of humor for my dad's over-the-top jokes. The owner came and talked to us, the server, Adam, had great suggestions for meals, and the food was fantastic. I had the Kobe burger (came with a brie and bleu cheese mix and sweet and spicy bacon that was absolutely to die for), my husband had the smoked prime rib, dad had Asian tuna dish, and mom had flank steak. All cooked perfectly, all amazing. Great cuts of meat, and such good sauces and complimenting sides along with them. I will agree with some of the other reviewers that they are a little on the slow side with the food service, but we were in no hurry, so it wasn't an issue for us. Overall, a great hidden gem! Oh, and the desserts were fantastic. Warm brownie with homemade lingonberry sauce and ice cream... made my day. And my husband scraped the ramekin clean of creme brulee. Definitely would recommend it!
(5)Rob B.
I was camping in the pine and heard about this restaurant from word-of-mouth. In a secluded area I wasn't expecting too much but was gladly surprised. I ordered the Zoka burger and was curious about receiving Kobe beef for such a reasonable price. I was gladly surprised with the size of the burger but more importantly the taste! The Kobe beef was delicious and the cheese that came on it was paired extremely well. Word of advice: Spend the extra $1 and get the house salad as a side.. you will not be disappointed!
(4)Wolfhouser V.
The head chef, Christian, cooks with love. And you can taste it. The staff is delightful.
(5)Patrick E.
Really, really delicious. And that's an understatement. I had the Zoka Burger - Kobe beef, cambazola cheese, bacon, and all other sorts of delicious goodness. Seriously good. The fries were great, the purple potato salad was also a great choice. Not proud to admit this, but I wiped my plate clean with a quick finger swipe when nobody was watching. I left full and ready to go back. I live an hour away, but I'll be back. And again and again. The rest of the menu looked tasty, but it'll be tough not to order the burger. Great service, great food, reasonable prices, beautiful location. What's not to love?
(5)Sean P.
A foodies paradise in the mountains! I initially found this place after a day of fly fishing on the river and was absolutely amazed at the quality of the menu in this remote of a location. I mean the Kobe beef burger alone is one of the best I have had in Colorado. However the true treasure this place offers is in the special menus they offer throughout the summer for special events and seasonal specials. For example my wife and I just went on Valentines day. One of the best decisions we have made for such a date night. We started with the pancetta wrapped shrimp with an amazing sauce that was a great start to the meal. Next had half a dozen oysters on the half shell and you might be skeptical this far from civilization but don't be as they were great and shucked perfectly. I got the surf and turf but had the filet oscar style and this was by far the best dish of the night! The lobster was perfect and the filet was the overall best! My wife got the prime rib with raspberry horseradish suave that was quite good also but the oscar style was still the best. Topped I all of with creme brûlée for desert. I hate to review this place as it truly is the best hidden gem in the mountains but being about an hour away from Denver proper will widely out the to the true foodie adventurer. Just a heads up I would sign up for their newsletter that give info on their specials and also making reservations for special events are a must at this location! Also since the place gets so packed with special events expect spending some time waiting for food as it is just that busy!
(5)Kasia K.
whats there not to like? Great food, great view, and bowl of fresh water for dogs on the deck. I do have to take one star off for slow service.
(4)Alex L.
It's been a little while since we made our way over to Zoka's, but we had such a good experience there that I had to write a review. We're currently living in Denver, and one day we got lost on some back roads around Pine and found this restaurant. We were hungry and tired of driving so we stopped in and ate at the bar. Best idea. We were served by the owner (I believe). We had some awesome drinks, one of which was an excellent Moscow Mule. We also ordered some wings and other appetizers. Everything was good and service was great. The restaurant was full of faithful locals who did nothing but rave about how awesome all the food was. Everyone was very friendly and we had a very pleasant experience. Pine is very out of the way for us but we still plan on making it back just so we can visit Zoka's again.
(5)Tom M.
Over the top!! Like always.
(5)Nate H.
I'd driven past this place several times, and just got the chance to stop in on Sunday for lunch. I was expecting standard bar food, but was pleasantly surprised to find better. Wings were shared along with a bowl of Green Chili. The Reuben was excellent with thick sliced corned beef. I'll definitely be stopping in again.
(4)Nora C.
Great location, decent service but it's a crapshoot with the food. Sometimes very good sometimes beyond mediocre. Cross your fingers the chef is having a good day! A little pricey for what it serves up.
(3)Molly M.
After stopping at the new Riverbend in Bailey, where we waited 20 minutes for them to tell us we couldn't tie our dog to the outdoor deck, even though there were 5 dogs out there already - we luckily said goodbye forever to that waste of a restaurant and headed to Pine. Zoka's is everything we look for in a restsurant and more. Beautiful patio, wonderful service and relatively quiet setting. The food is amazing and innovative. We loved the honey smoked salmon appy. Tasted so fresh and not overly sweet. Best of all Zoka's is super dog friendly! They allow dogs on the patio and even offer a $4.00 fido burger which I'm sure was the best thing our Golden has ever had! Don't waste your time in Bailey, drive a little further and eat where they appreciate your business and deliver great food!
(5)Jenn C.
Oh wow! After a long day running the North Fork trail and hanging out by the South Platte river, we headed to Zoka's, which had been highly recommended by my boyfriend's coworker. He said the fish and chips were the best he'd ever had. After living in Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA for many years, I am very skeptical of seafood in the mountains, even fried fish and chips. Skeptical no more! The location is in the middle of nowhere, but is a super cute little mountain restaurant, with a wrap-around porch with gorgeous views. The inside has sweet climbing murals on the walls. We sat on the porch and caught the last rays of sunshine from the day. We arrived around 5, during happy hour. Started with a couple of moscow mules with homemade ginger beer. Very tasty. Our appetizer was the chopped pork chili fries that were fantastic! I'm not usually a fan of those kinds of fries, but the house green chili bbq sauce was a perfect mix of sweet and spicy, the pork was great, and adding a little ketchup made them perfection! We both ordered fish and chips, although I had a very hard time deciding between those and the crab cakes, it was totally worth it for both of us to get the same thing!! The cod was fried to perfection and the chips (fries) were just as good on their own as they were in the appetizer. And I haven't had hushpuppies like their's since I left the South! We were too full to try dessert, and needed to get home, but we will definitely be back to try the key lime pie!!! The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is that the service was a little slow/scattered, but no reason to avoid!!!
(4)Nene O.
I had the salmon and Swiss burger with fries. It was a very good meal and I was able to wash it down with an Avery IPA I believe. The barbecue sauce I asked for on the side was what really made it great. I was fortunate to visit this place after hiking cheeseman canyon. I would recommend this place and return myself whenever I'm in the area. They also have beautiful murals that depict the surrounding areas if that's your sort of thing. But I appreciated them as well.
(4)Ann M.
Went again, had crab cakes. OMG they were amazing... seriously. So crabby? Is that a way to describe them? They had much more crab in them than filler. They were amazing. Seriously. Salmon burger was also amazing. Key Lime Pie was also delicious. Zokas nails it again.
(5)Justice M.
After hiking in the nearby Lost Creek Wilderness, we were hungry and even more thirsty for a cold beer. Zoka's was surprisingly good and busy on a Saturday afternoon. Menu was typical upscale pub fare with some notable exceptions including the Kobe beef burgers. Six CO microbrews on tap and an oddly large wine list. Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area.
(4)Stephanie M.
Everything about this place makes me happy. Great energy, consistently delicious, fresh food, cold beer and really great people! It's my favorite place to stop for a bite to eat after a day hike or drive in the mountains. They have a little bit of everything on the menu but the pork sandwich is one of my favorites. The Zoka burger is out of this world! When the weather is nice, the patio is a sweet spot to hang with the pups. They even serve corned beef hash for Sunday brunch for when I want food with my Bloody Mary. I would give them 10 stars if I could.
(5)Mitchell D.
For the past 4 years I have been going here and let me tell you I have never had a bad experience! I've tried pretty much everything on the menu at this point! My personal favorites are the Ribs which are next level! The Zoka burger is also amazing! I went in two days ago and learned they now serve breakfast! Can't wait to try it! If you live in the conifer evergreen area and have never been its must! If your just trying to escape the Denver heat you won't be disappointed! The views are epic! Always elk and deer runnin around! Beautiful river across the street! And if you make a day trip out of it there are a few hikes such as pine valley ranch l, cathedral spires, and more!!!
(5)Emily C.
5 stars for the location and the view, 3 stars for the service, which was frantic yet friendly the day we went, and just a star or two for the food and interior. Man, if they added some solar tubes or skylights, got rid of the sponge painted, early 2000's feeling decor, and opted for something simple and rustic, and updated their food a little bit, we'd be in business for sure. The wrap-around porch with seating is to die for. My hash and eggs were kinda cold and boring. There were weird, squishy, fatty bits in the hash. Ick. You've got the location, you've got a crowd, just tighten it up, and you'll be all good.
(3)M. L.
Within the context of rural Colorado mountain communities, Zokas is relatively good. In a more competitive environment, the business would struggle. The menu is interesting and diverse and sounds appealing, but critically the food is good, not great. My seared sesame ahi was smaller than a deck of cards, on top of an enormous pile of noodles; a little pricy for what you got actually. My dates spaghetti dish was good and again generous with the noodles, reasonably priced. I'd consider Zokas a good family-style restaurant and bar. For a Wednesday evening the bar area was lively. They have periodic specials to draw in the community so we don't turn into a bunch o' hermits. ; ) Cheers, M.
(3)Angela W.
Always a wonderful place to go. Have tried almost everything here and have never been disappointed. I love the fried cauliflower tossed in buffalo sauce. It's amazing. They have outdoor seating as well which is really nice to enjoy in the evening. I will keep coming here.
(5)Kippen L.
After a hike nearby we stopped in at Zokas. What a nice place to rest and have lunch! We had the Reuben which was the best we have tried anywhere else. Prices were very fair, wait staff was super friendly and even brought water bowl for our dog. We will definitely be back!
(5)Katelyn O.
Love this place!!! The food and the staff are absolutely amazing!!! I wish there was a place like this in my state!
(5)Karen N.
Visiting from Virginia, my son (who lives in Lakewood) wanted me to see Bucksnort on a Thursday afternoon. The ride was fun, but it's only open on the weekend. So glad, since we found Zoka's. What?! Maryland-style crabcakes in the mountains?! Very skeptical. My first question was, do you use blue crab? Since the answer was yes, we ordered them and very glad we did. Very little filler and very delicious. Their chili made with house-smoked pork was also yummy. Their house salad is excellent. My son really enjoyed the salmon cake/stilton sandwich. Our friend's corned beef sandwich looked like it came out of a NYC deli! Goodness, gracious, if I didn't live in Virginia, I'd be there all the time. What a find!
(5)Dan S.
As I post this review let me first say I have enjoyed being a patron of Zokas since the opened. however, this evening I went there with a party of ten after making reservations earlier in the day and had the worst restaurant experience I could ever imagine. Five of us ordered the full rack of ribs (a Zokas signature dish) 45 minutes later five plates of absolutely burnt inedible food was presented to us and rude comments made about us taking up all there grilling space with our order. The replacement food we ordered was of very poor quality as well. Our bill was delivered with no consideration of the problems we encountered. One of our party approached the owner he was beyond rude in front of other patrons and only after making our concerns bluntly known did he begrudgingly take any action. Sadly it appears the factors that once made Zokas very special have changed and even long time patrons are just marks to be given substandard food and expected to pay with out comment. SAD :(
(1)Justin P.
I have to update my 1 star review from 9 months ago. Decided to try Zoka's a week ago and have been back another time. It's good, really good. You can tell the food is made in house, as well as the condiments. I am a BBQ nut and Zoka's sauce is fantastic. I happened to order the Zoka's burger (Kobe beef, caramelized onions, blue cheese) and its is very good. The real star of this, and some other dishes, is the bacon. Their sweet & spicy bacon is phenomenal! Wife had Carne Asada tacos the first time and they were great...best "Mexican" food in the area. Our second visit she had the blue cheese Meatloaf hoagie. Holy cow, it was huge but also delicious. The kids say they have the best Mac n Cheese they have ever had and the fries are good too. We ordered the crab cakes for an appetizer and also ordered the smoked salmon. Both were good but I think we liked the crab cakes more. We will definitely be regulars here. I have to note that the service has been friendly the last two times we have been there too. We also have only eaten off the lunch menu so we'll be back for dinner this week.
(4)Monica Z.
A great place after a day in the hills :) The cauliflower "hot wings" are absolutely awesome. My hubby gives the zoka burger 3 thumbs up! They have a great salad menu that has home grown veggies on it as well. The staff is really cool :) All around, a hidden gem. Maybe I shouldn't tell anyone about it. ...
(5)Matt M.
Dropped by on a charity poker run. Worth the ride any day. Had the rhubarb burger. Perfectly cooked. Will be back!
(5)Jo Ann L.
Worth the drive? Always a great experience! Locals and visitors! Wonderful food no matter what we order! Make the trip off rt. 285 through the windy road to this beautiful location nestled in the little town.
(5)Jennifer D.
I absolutely loved this restaurant. My husband and I drove fifteen miles from the remote cabin where we were staying on the recommendation of the Deckers General Store owner. The ambiance is artistically woodsy and charmingly garish; the service was wonderful - Erik (?) was obviously a proponent of many a Zoka's dish; the food was delicious, fresh, and sourced from local farms; the wine list was impressive and reasonably priced. Although I don't feel the need to tout my restaurant experience in an effort to lend validity to my excitement about this place, let it be known that I have served at several upscale restaurants, and I have eaten at countless fine fooderies. Our meal at Zoka's was one of the best.
(5)Justin S.
Great food and location but the experience highly depends on the service. Kurt, owner, drew us in 5 or 6 visits ago and we have yet to see him again. He was so passionate about his food and beer and what to order. Every time since has been a kid that seems to give a shit what we order. Not worth the drive without Kurt out in the dining room.
(3)Christopher B.
This place was a really nice surprise. I didn't know what to expect but it didn't take long to be completely impressed! We started with the sauteed mushrooms, which were really good and then followed it up with the elk medallions and the mac n cheese. I'm not sure which was better but everything was excellent. Also, the waiter was great and he was very attentive to anything we needed. When I'm in the area again this will certainly be a top option for me!
(4)Lisa M.
We went to Zokas last night for dinner -- I was a little worried after reading recent reviews about poor service, but our server Craig was fantastic. He was sweet to our kids (tried to get our 13-year old son to try the Buffalo Cauliflower), brought all the extras we asked for, kept our drinks filled up, and stopped by the table to check on us multiple times. We only waited 5 min or so for our drinks, and the afore-mentioned Buffalo Cauliflower (which is FANTASTIC...and could be eaten as a meal it's so filling) came out hot 5-10 min after we ordered it. The 4 of us split the ribs, fish & chips, and crabcakes appetizer for dinner (and the kitchen split everything up onto multiple plates for us without us asking - everybody got their own servings of cole slaw and fries). Ribs were super tender but the sauce was a little tangy for me. Crabcakes were excellent (and definitely "crabby" in a good way like a previous reviewer mentioned). Fish & chips was my favorite -- it's a huge portion and everything is cooked perfectly. Great hushpuppies too. We live in Pine Junction and will definitely be heading back to Zokas soon.
(5)Dan H.
This little place is fantastic. A friend and I stopped in on a snowy Saturday evening and the place was about a third full--mostly older couples getting dinner and a couple of folks sitting at the bar. Our waiter (whose name escapes me) was super cool, giving us the selling points on Zoka's famous crab cakes. Turns out, he wasn't lying--those crab cakes are TO. DIE. FOR. I could've eaten another order in place of dinner, if I hadn't been planning on sleeping with another person that night. Speaking of my sleeping mate, she had the prime rib and mashed potatoes. The rib was a little rarer than ordered (not that I'm complaining), but other than that, it was superb. Juicy and soft on the inside and seared nicely on the outside. The garlic mashed potatoes were also excellent--not too chunky, and just the right amount of garlic. We cut things off before dessert, but are definitely looking forward to going back to try the ice cream brownie and tiramisu! Most of the mountain towns around Boulder are pretty provincial--Zoka's was just the opposite. A warm, welcome place that didn't feel like a secret club or like it was wearing some kind of disguise. Definitely going to eat here again!
(5)Colleen M.
Great smoked salmon appetizer, big enough to share and very original. But the entrees were mediocre at best. I visit Pine County, CO, at least twice a year, and always hit Zokas at least once, but no more. Shrimp were flat and barely fit for a fast food place. Prime rib was over smoked and fatty. New York strip was very tough. Mashed potatoes used to be worth the trip. Last night they were dull and commercial. Fresh veggies were well prepared and crisp. Stick to veggies and appetizer. We were too disappointed in entrees to order dessert. We were afraid they would have gone downhill also.
(2)Brenden C.
Incredible service. Even better food. Beer is amazing at this altitude. :) I love Zoka's it's a favorite mountain restaurant/bar and shouldn't be ignored. If you are in pine, buffalo creek area. You need to come here! Please! After a day off, a long bike ride, I'm craving Zoka's!
(5)Lucas M.
This place is consistently excellent. Tasty food that is thoughtfully prepared, a great draft beer selection, and friendly staff in a space that is clean and inviting. A perfect stop on the way back from mountain biking in Buffalo creek. People who think the service is too slow need to take a moment to realize where they are, and relax.
(5)Roger M.
You wouldn't think there would be a great restaurant in PIne, CO but there is. They have a great selection of food that always hits the spot after a day playing in the mountains.
(5)Chris S.
I think I found a new home in this place. What a hidden gem with wonderful ownership, great mountain décor and incredible food!
(4)Andrew H.
I have been here 3 times now over the course of the last 5 years. Excellent food for such a high-altitude restaurant. The Pulled Pork Sandwich is very good. Sweet and spicy BBQ sauce that i could just bathe in. I wish they had more BBQ options to showcase that homemade sauce.
(4)Lauren D.
This little joint is a true delight. We went for a day hike on the Colorado trail last Sunday and brought along some leftovers planning to heat them over a campfire in the evening, but we were tempted to Zoka's by the promise of cold beers. What I expected to be a delightful little sandwich joint proved to be a really excellent dining experience. We shared the quinoa salad, which was light and flavorful and really fresh. My friend had the eggplant parmesan, which was to die for; I had the Thai trout, which was to die for. The service was stellar, and we got to shake hands with the chef. Everything is delicious and comfortable and sweet. I rarely write reviews, but I was really tickled with this little place and will definitely be back.
(5)Dara D.
I've been here twice - once during the week for dinner and once for brunch on a Sunday. For dinner I got the steak and my husband ordered the deer with blueberry sauce. Both were amazing. Seriously one of the best restaurant steaks I've ever had. It was also a large portion of steak, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. I was stuffed. The deer meat was also tender and not at all gamey. For brunch I got the Chesapeake style eggs benedict - two poached eggs atop two crab cakes. I second the review about the crabcakes being very crabby haha. Barely any filler. They were really good, and this is coming from a former Maryland resident. It does get busy on the weekends, especially on nice days with the hikers and motorcyclists, but it's a large restaurant, we haven't had to wait for a table. They also allow dogs on the patio and have dogs bowl for water, which I appreciate after hiking with our little monster.
(5)Kim M.
We are new to the Pine area and stopped by Zoka's on a football Sunday. We sat at the bar and had excellent and attentive service. They have a nice selection of wines and craft beer. I had the Z-fast sandwich and thought it was delicious! My husband had the buffalo burger and is already asking me when we can go back for dinner. The staff is welcoming and it's a really fun atmosphere. Be sure to give them a try if you find yourself in our little neck of the woods.
(5)Brian B.
I had to take away a star tonight......food was still great but staff provided POOR service. My wife ordered one of their famous Bloody Marys and drank about a third of it before she gave up on the clam juice taste. Sent it back & waitress still charged us even gave her grief about it when we questioned her when the bill came. After 3 attempts to get a glass of water it finally came. The other waitress acted like we were putting her out......sorry....so sorry to ask for water for goodness sake. Kurt, Please get some better waitress staff! Brian
(4)Andy L.
I really like this place and is one of the few places where I plan activities in the vicinity so that I can eat a lunch or dinner here. Great spot in town and is always busy on the weekends during the summer. Food is really good and some of my favs are the Reuben, ribs, and their purple potato salad. I am on their email distro list and everytime they have had special meal going on I have not been able to make it but each one sounded amazing. Plus it is nearby tons of great places to go rock-climbing, hiking, backpacking, fishing, disc-golfing, or just cruising/sight-seeing.
(5)