Garlic Mike's Italian Cuisine

Garlic Mike's Italian Cuisine

Someone from this business manages this listing.
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+1 970-641-2493+ Add website
Hours
Sun
5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Mon
5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Tue
5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Wed
5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Thu
5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Fri
5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Sat
5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles

RATINGS
Food
4.3 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.3 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Atmosphere
4.4 of 5 bubbles
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
PRICE RANGE
$7.00 – $32.00
CUISINES
Italian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
meals, features
Does this restaurant serve Romana food?
About
And, Gunnison’s ONLY RIVER BAR!!Located just 3 miles morth of town on the Gunnison River. East coast Italian Cuisine featuring pasta, seafood, chicken and veal and traditional Italian fare and non traditional daily specials. Creative cocktails and wine list. Dine al fresco style on our covered, heated patio in summer, or a fireside table in winter. Featured on the Travel Channels "Food Paradise"-"Garlic Paradise. A tourists and locals favorite for over 20 years.
PRICE RANGE
$7.00 – $32.00
CUISINES
Italian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner, Drinks
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles568 reviews
Excellent
355
Very good
111
Average
48
Poor
37
Terrible
18

Amy B
Johnstown820 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • family
A bit on the pricey side, but portions reflect the amount of food. I also appreciate that with every entree you are given a soup or salad choice. Calamari was light and crisp. We ordered shrimp Alfredo, steak Alfredo and chicken piccata. In my option the piccata was the best, I felt the Alfredo wasn’t cheesey enough, but it was still tasty. The food came out at a great pace. My only complaint would be the kitchen talk. Listening to them curse and talk about pot wasn’t a highlight of the evening.
Written June 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

IBMItalianByMarriage
Santa Fe54 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Favorite Review
Sep 2023 • friends
Fantastic Italian food, large portions, excellent menu choices. Has several veal dishes, that's hard to find anymore. Our large group had a reservation and was seated immediately. Our waiter, Christian, did a great job, despite being very busy. We like how the tables are not crowded together. Drinks, appetizers well delicious - especially the mussels, best i have ever had! Everyone loved their meal choices: lasagna, chicken parm, veal dishes, steaks, build your own pasta. Love this place! Grazie Mike!
Written October 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike Busse
Thank you for appreciating your experience! Everything you mentioned is what our goals are. Tables not overcrowded, large portions (we actually get people tell us our portions are small), good variety. Christian has been with us for a very long time. Grateful! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.
Written December 19, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

TravelbeeSantaFe_NM
Santa Fe554 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • couples
Inside this spot is like an old time Italian eatery; outside on the patios, it is hip and happening. Take your choice. It's right on the river. The bartenders there really give a good pour (I was looking at the wine glasses adjacent and my brimming martini -- plus the wine list has some fine Italian vintages.) My husband and I shared a calamari, prepared so you could taste the fish (didn't need the sauce), a caesar salad and a perfectly cooked medium rare flat iron steak. Plus there's linguine on the side as well as a vegetable of the day. We could eat no more so we packed up a bread pudding and had it for breakfast. Though the place was busy, our server was attentive and our high school junior busperson was so eager with bread and water that we tipped him extra.
Written August 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike Busse
Thank you for your kind review! I will pass this along to my staff! They work so hard in the summer.
Written August 31, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kathy
Pueblo West1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022 • friends
After years of patronizing, this place has totally disappointed us now. It used to be fabulous and we made a special long distance trip to eat here. The food was poor at best, and way over priced. Tasteless, the same sauce poured over almost every dish. We had a group and a month in advance I tried making reservations and was told they could not make our reservations much less seat us together. We were willing to split up into small tables and they still would not make a reservation for all of us at the same time. However when we called in with separate names we could get reservations at the same time. Explain that. When we were checking in for our tables, people ahead of us did not have reservations and were told they would have to wait two hours or they could pay $25 extra and be seated immediately. So it wasn’t that they were too full or understaffed to take anyone they just wanted the extra money. The waiters were friendly and tried their best, but the poor quality of food and the poor management has ruined what used to be a great restaurant. Oh and don’t order the meatballs, they are not browned or cooked in sauce, so strange. We will not be coming back
Written September 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike Busse
My apologies for not seeing this until now. You’ve listed a lot. Did you try speaking to the manager? Did you try emailing the restaurant or calling in regards to this? I am certain that what you are saying is not exactly what the case was. There had to of been more to it. And, no, absolutely not, do we charge a table to seat them sooner. We charge for cabana seating, which is prime, seating out on our piazza. Once again, this could’ve been handled better if you had communicated this to us and not rely on a site such as this. mike@garlicmikes.com
Written June 26, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Nicole S
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • family
We keep trying to give Garlic Mike's a chance, hoping that it would be good like it was 10 years ago, but we are constantly disappointed. Our rolls were hard as rock, our steaks way too rare, our salads limp. They have just quite putting in quality. We once sat in and waited with small children for an hour at our table before anyone noticed we had not been waited on.
Written June 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Global29723878574
2 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • family
The food was so so. We had 10 in our party and two had overcooked chicken parm which took effort to cut and one balsamic chicken that was actually burnt. My wife had Marsala and the breading didn’t stick and fell off into the sauce. My vegetables were partially cold. Lesson 1 Train your cooking crew and have the wait staff inspect the food prior to serving The place was fairly busy and we didn’t see much of the wait staff. We needed forks since they took ours with the appetizer, need more bread and got it. Yet 10 minutes later. They never came back after serving to ask how the meal, until check time. Lesson 2 Hire more wait staff and poor or limited service is mostly a management problem
Written August 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike Busse
Sorry we failed your expectations. We have been in business for nearly 30 years. We must be doing something right. You must’ve hit us on an off night. We certainly hope you would try us again. As far as: Hire more help. It’s not just us. It’s across the country.
Written December 19, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

MAC5500
Streetman26 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022 • none
I tried to contact this restaurant to point out our problems but there is not support on their webpage. We so wanted to like this place. Had reservations and we were seated quickly. From that point on it went downhill. Many, many staff members on the floor but hardly any of them doing something helpful. Our waiter was friendly and brought our drinks. He took our orders. There was an upcharge for the chowder special of $7.00 and it was devoid of flavor. My friend and I ordered salads instead of soups to go with our entrees. We were asked if we wanted pine nuts or blue cheese crumbles and we said sure. When the bill came there were charges! $1.75 for a quarter hand full of pine nuts??? And no mention of the upcharge. Our entrees were mediocre. We waited a long time for drink refills and then our entrees. Many staff members wandering around the floor. We watched them, amused at first. Will not be back
Written October 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike Busse
I’m sorry I’m just seeing this review now. We usually try and fix mistakes at the restaurant. We don’t have a customer support team on our website. The chowder contains jumbo lump crab. We sell upwards of 20 gallons of it a week. We are known for it. People have it shipped. Devoid of flavor? I just looked online and the price for pine nuts is $6.92 for a 4 ounce bag. Perhaps we weren’t your cup of tea and chose to find everything wrong. If you hadn’t waited to contact customer support on our website, we could have certainly addressed your issues at the restaurant and figured out all of the scenarios of why you were unhappy.
Written June 26, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Cheri Davis
Colorado456 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • couples
My husband and I was staying at the Tall Texan RV park and walked to this restaurant. I have to stay this is a 5 star all the way, your table is your table for as long as you want to stay. They do not rush you in any way to eat and go. This restaurant gives you time to conversate, perfect timing from drinks all the way to dinner. We loved the dishes we had, surf and turf and chicken marsala. Garlic Mikes, has inside dinning, river side dinning during the summer season, outside dinning covered in case of weather, and special privacy dining cabanas. If in the Gunnison Colorado area, it is a must Italian Restaurant, hidden gem!!
Written September 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike Busse
I apologize for the delayed response. Thank you so much for your kind words. Not many people appreciate that they are experiencing a multi course dinner and we don’t want to rush people, good food and service take time. Thank you!
Written December 19, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Phil B
5 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 • none
As a Gunnison local I’m used to a “relaxed” pace of service and inconsistent food quality here, but tonight was grim. A 3 hour wait for the main course of lukewarm greasy chicken just doesn’t cut it, especially considering the price tag. Had to beg for water and drinks. One roll and a flat tasting salad while waiting didn’t help matters. If understaffing is a problem, which it is, maybe he should take a few less reservations.
Written July 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike B
I’m terribly sorry you had to beg for things. I truly do not know how to even respond to your rudeness. Did you bring this to anyone’s attention? Please feel free to email me. Mike@garlicmikes.com I apologize for the delayed response. Im not a fan of social media critics.
Written March 15, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Cindy D
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • family
If you’re looking for atmosphere, impeccable service, an amazing cocktail and wine list, plus delicious food and dessert, Garlic Mike’s is the place! Reservations are a must! Go early and grab a cocktail at the River Bar and enjoy it by the beautiful Taylor River. Then enjoy a leisurely dinner with attentive service. We highly recommend the Filetto con Pepe for steak lovers, and the Shrimp Laurino for seafood lovers! When it comes to dessert, the bread pudding is to die for and the lemon cake is a luscious ending for a memorable meal. Please do not rush - this is restaurant fine dining and you’ll shortchange yourself if you try to hurry! (We recommend the River Bar food truck if you’re looking for faster casual dining.). Garlic Mike’s is a gem of a place that we go back to year after year on our Colorado vacation!
Written August 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cooker72
Victoria1048 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • couples
Dinner last night was great! Hot bread was brought out …with garlic butter…yummy! Great drinks. The Corn Chowder with crab was very tasty….some of the best I have had! The Shrimp Scampi and Caesar Salad were also very good! Chocolate Bread Pudding was decadent! Would recommend this “out of town” restaurant!
Written August 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gene G
188 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • none
We have gone here a couple of times a year when we stop in Gunnison. As a result, we have watched this place self destruct. Maybe Mike sold it or he doesn’t care anymore. The eggplant parmesan seemed to be out of a frozen food box, the sauce had no flavor (what happened to garlic, Mike?), the string beans were tasteless. The Caesar salad did not come the way we ordered it creating a dietary issue for one of us. The rolls were not gluten soaked, so that improved, but you can’t trust anything to be the same when you come here. The waitress did her job, but no more. This once was a pretty good restaurant, but no more. Whomever runs this place now doesn’t read the reviews, or just doesn’t care. More customers, and we are hardly alone judging by recent reviews, who will never come back.
Written October 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike B
Dear Gene, I rarely read social media reviews. I just came across yours. My apologies for not responding sooner. Self destruct are very harsh words. Considering our managers and staff try to visit every table and/or greet them as they were leaving, I am wondering if you had said anything to anyone at the restaurant.. We’ve been in business for nearly 29 years.Over the past several years we have done things to create a better dining experience from food to service so this review is very concerning. Please, if you would email me, I’d like to hear from you. My apologies and thank you.
Written March 15, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Adventurer126360
Chicago6 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022 • none
Our first impression was the hostess acting like we weren't welcome because we didn't have a reservation, even with multiple tables open and her berating her servers. Waited 20 mins after being seated to get water and bread. My daughter and I ordered the Chicken Piccata which turned out to be two chicken breasts with capers and some kind of lemon sauce. I was expecting a butterflied breast tenderized with some type of breading, but I guess I was wrong. Sauce on pasta tasted like Ragu out of a jar.
Written September 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike B
You sound like a very unhappy person. No, our sauce is not Ragu. Chicken Picatta is a traditional dish and is never breaded-except at Olive Garden.
Written March 15, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Roy-Kerri B
Kansas City19 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020 • none
If you like Italian food this is very authentic and very good! We had a party of 3 and sat in the dining room We ordered drinks and an appetizer. Our appetizer came out even before the drinks did. We finished our cheese that we ordered and then the drinks came. The entrees came out and at that time we ordered another round of drinks and they never made it to the table approx. 30 plus minutes later we told the waitress "Marie" just cancel the drinks and bring us a bill.... She then was not in a big hurry about that either as we watched her squat down and chat with I would guess some friends out on the deck area....She seemed very nonchalant about it and said well the bar has been a bit busy. When she brought our bill out she said "If you want those drinks Ill bring them and you can chug them before you leave" We declined and then left. The place was only seating at half capacity....I'd hate to see how slow things would have been if COVID-19 seating hadn't been in effect.
Written September 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gene G
188 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • none
We've been coming to Garlic Mike's for years whenever we are in Gunnison and have stopped overnight in Gunnison just to go to Mike's. I used to enjoy seeing Mike and the food was what I grew up with in the northeast whenever we went to an Italian restaurant. The last few years it hasn't been the same. Food quality has dropped. The rolls have too much gluten and that changes the taste. The eggplant parmeson was very ordinary, a step above frozen. Marinara sauce was dull and ordinary, maybe out of a can. My wife was disappointed too. Service the past few years has been quite uneven. I think the problem is Mike has to show up. I heard he takes a lot of vacations now. He is a big personality and that is part of the experience, but he also needs to keep an eye on the kitchen. Restaurants reflect the owner and if the owner stays away, the restaurant suffers.
Written August 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike B
Thank you for your useful input. Many of these items have been addressed. I do not vacation in summer. I’m still here. I have addressed some of these issues with my staff. Please join us again soon and feel free to email me. mike@garlicmikes.com
Written March 15, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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GARLIC MIKE'S ITALIAN CUISINE, Gunnison - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor

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