Pioneer Inn

Sad to say I won’t be back to the Pioneer Inn.
I used to come to the Pioneer Inn almost every week for dinner, drinks, or both.
Unfortunately the last two times I went in our service was terrible beyond belief.
The final time, on a Tuesday night. Our server, a shorter blonde, maybe in her late 40s, with a raspier voice, was taking shots at the bar when we walked in and at other tables throughout the evening. It took about 10 minutes to finally greet us and bring menus to the table. When she finally came back to take our order, she was slurring her words and it was really hard to talk to her. She never refilled our drinks, never brought ketchup and never checked in on us. We waited about 15 minutes for her to clear our plates when we were done.
When it came time to get the bill, we asked for my friend’s burger to be on a separate check and she was visibly annoyed and came over to our table with the tab. She said, «You know, the next time you want to do something like that, you really need to tell the server ahead of time.»
I thought WOW. We honestly did not mean to make her life such hell, just by asking to split off one burger from the check. She stood at our table doing the math right there, I assume to make us feel bad that she had to do 1 minute of extra work. She was having trouble subtracting the burger and she looked at us and said, «C’mon. You do it,» Asking us to do the math for her. How awkward!
Finally, she ran our checks and brought back the credit card slips for us to sign. She hovered at the end of our table, WATCHING us fill out the tips and sign the checks. Normally, I tip very well, but this time I only intended to tip 10% because service was so horrible. So I tipped 10% on the entire bill and my friend did not tip on her separate tab. (People do this all the time, where one party leaves a tip on the entire check. But that’s beside the point because the amount that we tip is up to us…)
After collecting our tabs, the server ran after my friend, who was already out the door. The server yelled, YELLED, at my friend about not leaving a tip on her part of the tab. It was so unprofessional that we were all in shock and didn’t know what to say! I have never in my life been to an establishment that allows server to follow a customer out and complain about the tip amount! It’s unreal.
Needless to say, I will not be back to the Pioneer Inn. It’s sad because I really loved going here and I have had some good experiences. But the fact that the server was drunk, gave terrible service, and confronted us multiple times about things that «we did wrong» during our visit… that’s enough for me to stay away.

Went there with a party of 9 (4 adults, 5 loud crazy kids). It was pretty empty, so we got to sit right down. Everything came out quick and was so good! The waitress was really patient with the kids ordering their own food. Would totally go back next time I get out that way!

This place is like home! It is easily one of the best places to eat in town, but who needs to eat solid food when the wind is gusting at over 90mph! The PI is the part of heaven where the Jamo is always flowing and the Jaeger is always cold! The music is always good and people are always dancing! The staff are sexy and polite and can be sassy! I’m gonna go to the Pioneer Inn right now!

I traveled with a large group of people (19 total) and the Pioneer Inn was able to sit us down within 10 minutes of arrival.
We ordered appetizers, and drinks. The waitress was diligent and polite. By the time appetizers came in, she took our food order. Considering how large our group was, he food came by quickly.
The food was great! The steak was juicy and full of flavor. Everyone at our table was happy with the food :) our glasses never went empty!
At the end, we expected a very large bill (19 drinkers and eaters) but the price was extremely good! You cannot find that price/​quality in Chicago.
This would for sure be a stop for me every time I visit the Boulder area.

Green chili is spot on. Services is very slow. They definitely go at their own pace. Nice seating. Decent tap selection. Staff is nice. Food selection is good for he size of establishment. Move music at different times as well.

Sooooo SLOW!!! Still waiting 45 minutes for my salad!!! Only 3 other customers in the entire restaurant– no excuses for this! Walking out in two more minutes

Cute tavern in main road. Lots of old world charm like initials carved into the bar. Simple menu but perfectly fine bar food and great spicy Bloody Mary’s. Didn’t see any kids and there are a lot of locals that were friendly. Outdoor seating in the back.

Tried stopping in for a bite to eat sat ourselves down at a booth and absorbed the ambiance. Waited about 10 minutes while waitstaff avoided eye contact and played with juke box. Finally figured out if you weren’t a blithering drunk or a local that they wouldn’t wait on you. Would have been nice to just put a sign on the door saying so. We walked out and no one even looked. Chalk one up to rudeness at its purest

Well heard greats things but have yet to see them. Currently waiting at a table as I write this. The same table I’ve been sitting at for almost 40 minutes. That’s great you guys love your locals, but you shouldn’t forget those from out of town here to visit. I’ll be walking out in the next 5 minutes. Shame.

Good pub food, unfortunately they were understaffed and it really hurt them the night I was there. I went with a party of 6, we were sat right away and we all quickly ordered beers and burgers. Food came out pretty quick, but we didn’t get our beers until after we finished the food and we reminded the waitress a couple times. I think she was the only waitress serving the whole place, there was another woman working but she more or less just cleared tables and brought water.
This was the only place that didn’t have a 30+ minute wait (on a Saturday night) and we were very hungry after a hike in the Indian peaks. Which reminds me, the mountain hiker burger is very good.
I think it was still worth it considering we didn’t want to wait for our food. So I’d still come again next time I do a hike in the area.

When it’s semi busy, don’t come here! The bartender will leave for 10 – 15 min so you can’t get a drink. Then when you order a beer she will leave again to help tables in the restaurant. We got our beer 10 mins later. There are about 5 other servers who can’t take care of a total of 15 tables. We ordered chicken fingers and chips and salsa which took over 30 mins to receive. 30 min to fry chicken and a small batch of chips is absurd! This was all blamed on a large table that didn’t exist. Even the servers are heard saying «I’m done with rushing and I’m going to take my time.» This is the slowest bar I’ve been in.

They make the best burger in Nederland. I am a serious fan of onion rings, extra crisp, which is my standard fare when I order a burger. I really like their enchiladas, too. It’s filled with interesting stuff hanging on the walls, including the record covers of some of the records recorded at Caribou. Lots of local flavor and interesting people.

Decent food if you are passing through town, but I can’t imagine going out of my way to come here. Service slow and inconsistent– but friendly. She gave us free chips and salsa because of a delay in the kitchen. Soups made from scratch. Side salad was romaine lettuce, cucumber, 1 slice tomato; ok but nothing special. Burger (medium) a little undercooked.

The background and the character of the establishment is covered under the next couple of reviews, so I will not repeat it.
I went there last Saturday evening with two relatives for an early dinner. The draft beer was cold. Between the 3 of us, there was a platter of fish and chips (maybe cod), fried catfish, and a beef burger, as well as an artichoke/​chili dip with pita chips (app). No complaints about any of the food. The burger was cooked to the temperature requested. The catfish had a light breading and remained warm throughout the meal. The dip was excellent. (I am told everything is freshly prepared — nothing out of a box and heated.)
No place is perfect. I did not care for the coleslaw — a lot of cabbage and not much else. And the app was brought to us at the same time as the entrees, for which she apologized.

This place is great– and it has a tremendous amount of local character. My friend and I stopped here for a snack on our way through the mountains, and we were delighted to find the Pioneer Inn. They have a good selection of beer on tap, which I appreciate. We got a couple of beers and a large plate of nachos while we sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful mountain air.
There’s an area to sit outside, and there are a few lawn games available to play. I’m quite sure I saw signs that said they have live music every night, which would just add to the charm. Plenty of locals hang out here– it’s worth a stop if you’re in the area.

Live music 7 days a week?!? Love this bar, always have a great time here. Good times & good people.
Worth the drive even if you don’t live in Ned

Love this place! We’re always looking for an authentic little, non-​pretentious place with great history, atmosphere, food, and drink. Voila! Sweetie and I have visited several times, and have always had great fun.
A little background. Back in the 60’s and 70’s, big name singers and bands recorded at the nearby Caribou Ranch. They would visit PI in the evenings to eat and drink, and would often perform impromptu for the patrons. Imagine: Bob Dylan singing for you while you’re eating. The place is still redolent of that history.
But, just as important as the history, the place serves excellent bar food and cold drinks. In addition to the regular menu, there is always a special, usually something along the lines of a ribeye, baked potato, and salad for $ 9.50. I am not much of a steak eater, but I enjoyed the meal. The best part was the salad. Not a throw-​away side-​salad with iceberg, one grape tomato, and a single croûton. Nope, this was a lovely little salad. Could have eaten a huge bowl of it. We’ve also had the menu fish and chips. Fantastic! Three freshly and beautifully fried cod fillets, excellent fries, and a wonderful homemade coleslaw, all for $ 9.50. Sweetie was in heaven :-)
To be clear, the place has a very bar-​type atmosphere, although it is brighter than anticipated during the day due to the energy-​saving skylights. (This is Boulder County, after all.) Booths line the wall next to the bar, and there is plenty of seating at the wrap-​around bar as well. I believe there is also outdoor deck seating in back. The waitresses are courteous and competent. The people watching is fantastic. I am not sure how to say this delicately, so I won’t try: the town drunks love to sit at the bar at all hours. They have always seemed happy, showing no belligerence. Although this is a local place, patronized by residents, we have never felt anything but welcome.
UPDATE 05/​30/​2012: Went for dinner again while in town. I had the fried catfish. Fantastic! The accompanying coleslaw and fries were yummy. Sweetie had the ribeye special. Not as good. The ribeye itself was mediocre, the kind of steak you would find at Golden Corral. The accompanying baked potato and corn were fine. No salad with the special this time :-(The beers, however, were tasty and icy cold. The people watching was fantastic, as always. My advice: try the fish and chips or the fried catfish rather than the steak special. Some Mexican-​type food is on the menu as well. Haven’t tried that yet.

Whenever I’m in Ned, I make my sister take me to the PI.
It has a chill, rustic, no-​frills vibe and reminds me of some of the bars up in Northern Michigan (aaah, nostalgia). The bartenders are friendly, the drinks are strong and you can always count on seeing some quirky locals hanging out. Despite the divey environs, the PI has surprisingly decent food. PI has a wide array of Mexican food and tasty nachos and sandwiches.

I am definitely on board with this interesting, unique, rustic establishment. They do it just right. It’s not the most incredible bar I have ever been to but it is damn good.
The bartender is awesome. What can I say. I love a man with a mustache who will talk about how the water in Ned was better when they had a big cypress wood system. The jukebox, while not as good at conversation, also made me happy. The crowd on a Saturday night was unassuming, friendly, just your typical nest of locals. We had a great time. I ordered a grilled cheese with steak fries and it was as good as the sandwiches I churn out at home. Oh, and $ 1.50 PBRs, yes please.

3.5 Stars. This is a good choice for lunch or dinner if you are bumping around the high country-​peak to peak area or just hangin’ in Ned, maybe coming back from some slope time at Eldora. Locals call it the PI.
Behind that drab weather-​beaten door is a slice of Mountain Town history and some good eatin’-American and some Mexican food. Great burgers & fajita’s. Live music on the weekends. Very rustic interior, mix of locals and tourists in the summer, mostly locals off-​season.