A staple on the west side of Estes Park on Elkhorn Ave you will find Penelope’s Olde Time Burgers. Guys, if you need a reason to take your partner to Estes Park for shopping THIS IS IT! Walk up and down the old strip, check out some shops, then hit Penelopes for lunch or dinner. Plus support a town that has survived floods, fire and pandemic in the last 10 years. As they say, Mountain Strong. Walking into Penelopes is like walking into the 1960s. This place was an old automotive shop that was converted to a restaurant years ago. I found this place in 2005 and fell in love with the music, scenery and food. All of my out of state family has visited Penelope’s for their great nostalgia and burgers. It reminds me of Ruby Begonias where I first worked playing the 50,60s music and old fashion hamburgers. 

Penelopes – Double Cheeseburger

When you walk in you are greeted with a smile and how can I help you. Place your order right were they are cooking the fresh meals on the flat iron. Grab a number and find a place to sit in the clean (but now 25% capacity) restaurant. Before the pandemic it was very hard to find a seat but you always found one because they were cleaning and moving orders.  This Double Cheeseburger came with a pretzel bun which is a little different than their normal buns. Nevertheless, the bun was soft and toasted perfectly. The toppings were fresh crunchy lettuce, pickles thick like a cucumber pickle. Tomato was bright red ¼ thick and fresh and firm. The cheese was american yellow cheese and was melted perfectly on top of both patties. The cheese held the flavor.

The handmade patties are about ½ inch thick each, giving a solid core for this burger. You will enjoy the well seasoned  meat that is cooked just right (a hint of pink) that brings the burger to a whole new level. The juiciest patties you will ever have, the flavor will drip right out on you if you are not careful.

The French fries are hand cut potatoes and cooked crispy and no extra salt is needed for the flavor alone is all you need. These are the freshest fries you will ever eat. Do not worry, they will not short you on them they bring a full side with your meal. This is why I love the size of the meal. I have always  walked away from here FULL! Great size meal for the price $16.00 for my double cheeseburger. You will be very happy.  * I do recommend ordering the meal so you can enjoy the handcut fries or onion rings with a fountain drink (I never pass up a chance for Barq’s Rootbeer).This is one of my favorite places for many reasons,  and one is my Aunt Cora, who enjoyed a great Penelope’s burger every time we hit up Estes. She never considered going anywhere else for a burger and Penelope’s is definitely my first choice, too.