Anticipating an early January opening, El Rancho Colorado is going to receive new life after closing last spring. Bonanno Restaurant Concepts purchased the 21,900 square-foot building last week at 29260 US-40 and are in doing everything that they can to open after the holidays.
“Really, we’re aiming for any time before January 30th,” majority owner Frank Bonanno told What Now Denver. “We’re really not doing much. The restaurant was remodeled and refurbished in 2018. Our biggest challenge is honestly going to be hiring enough staff.”
Bonanno hopes to bring along several staff members from Russell’s Smokehouse and Green Russell, which are both shuttering at the end of the year due to construction in the area. Given El Rancho’s idyllic location and prior reputation, the restauranteur does not aim to change much from its former tenants. The restaurant will adopt some of Russell Smokehouse’s meat concepts, feature elements of Colorado-Mexican food fusion, and make sure to include cheese curds.
“There’s definitely going to be cheese curds. That’s one thing that we will respond to from Facebook users,” Bonanno said, answering calls for El Rancho to continue its fried Wisconsin cheese tradition.
The cocktail menu will combine elements from Bonanno Concepts’ Russell Smokehouse and Vesper Lounge. Embedding in the community is a key to Bonanno’s vision.
“That’s what Jacqueline and I have always stood for,” Bonanno said, referring to his wife and business partner. “When we open, we want to make sure that we’re opening right and give the best hospitality, service and quality that we can provide. People are very proud of El Rancho and we don’t want to disappoint anybody.”
El Rancho will cater to the Evergreen community in addition to skiers commuting in and out of mountain resorts.
“If you’re a skier going to and from the mountains, it’s a wonderful place to stop to eat, after sitting in traffic in the Eisenhower Tunnel. It’s a great warm, welcome place on your way back into Denver,” Bonanno said.
