Crab cake Eggs Benedict at a mountain breakfast table in the Rockies? That combo really exists here, and it shares a menu with shrimp etouffee and fried green tomatoes.
A Louisiana-style kitchen has been quietly serving hungry Colorado diners since 1990. I love that it skipped the usual ski-town playbook and went straight for gumbo, po’boys, and bread pudding for dessert.
I can’t imagine a better reward after a cold mountain day than a steaming bowl of gumbo. The menu also covers steaks, burgers, and weekend biscuits and gravy, so picky eaters still get a fair shot.
Seating is limited, and every table comes with a 90-minute time limit, so planning ahead is smart. So how did a real taste of the Big Easy end up this high in the mountains?
Gumbo Is The Bowl That Sets The Tone Here
Gumbo holds the title of signature dish at Fontenot’s Fresh Seafood & Grill. That’s a bold flag to plant in the middle of Colorado ski country.
The kitchen leans hard into Cajun and Southern cooking across the whole menu. Its stated goal is simple: bring a real taste of The Big Easy to the mountains.
Ordering a cup of gumbo is a smart first move for newcomers. It gives you a quick read on the kitchen’s personality before you commit to an entree.
From there, the Cajun side of the menu keeps going. You’ll spot Shrimp Etouffee, Cajun pasta, and a Cajun Sampler that gathers several flavors onto one plate.
Andouille sausage even shows up as a po’boy option. That’s the kind of detail that makes a Southern menu feel genuine rather than borrowed.
Not everyone at the table craves spice, and that’s fine. Steaks, burgers, and a children’s menu make it easy for mixed groups to find common ground.
My advice is to treat gumbo as your welcome mat. Once it wins you over, the rest of the menu becomes a fun treasure hunt.
The Seafood Lineup Reads Like A Road Trip Along The Gulf
Alaskan Cod Lafayette, Bourbon Street Catfish, and Chili Seared Scallops all share the same entree list. That’s a lot of coastline for a restaurant sitting at mountain altitude.
Fresh seafood is the core promise here. The menu backs it up with range, not just a token fish fillet.
Salmon Toulouse brings a French-sounding twist to the lineup. Seafood Bouillabaisse fills a bowl with a mix of ocean favorites for anyone who can’t pick just one.
Then there’s BBQ Shrimp paired with Blackened Cod. It’s a two-for-one combo that feels very New Orleans in spirit.
Catfish gets its own spotlight too, along with Shrimp Etouffee. Both are classic Southern picks that feel right at home on this menu.
Want a little help choosing? Start by checking the Catch of the Day, since it keeps repeat trips interesting.
Bacon-wrapped scallops and shrimp and crab cakes also appear on the menu. They make a solid backup plan if your table wants to share bites.
Seafood lovers in Colorado don’t always get this many choices in one spot. Here, the hardest part is narrowing down your order.
Order A Few Starters And Let The Table Fight Over Them
Fried green tomatoes kick off the appetizer list, and that alone sets a Southern mood. Few mountain menus bother with them, which makes them worth noticing.
The starter section keeps branching out from there. Calamari, clams, and Mozzarella Caprese cover the classic side of things.
Zucchini Fritters offer a veggie-forward pick for anyone easing in. Asian Nachos bring a surprise twist you probably didn’t expect at a Cajun spot.
Shrimp Dynamite has a name that practically dares you to order it. Crab and Shrimp Cakes plus Bacon Wrapped Scallops round out the seafood starters.
Indecisive eaters get a real break here. Both a Cajun Sampler and a Seafood Sampler let you try several things without committing to one.
Groups can split a sampler or two and pass plates around. It turns the start of the meal into a friendly little tasting session.
One tip is worth keeping in mind. Seating time is capped at 90 minutes, so ordering starters right away keeps the meal relaxed.
Nobody wants to rush dessert because the appetizers took forever to pick. Choose quickly, share generously, and save some room for later.
Twelve Po’boys Means Lunch Gets Complicated In The Best Way
Twelve different po’boys appear on the menu, which is a serious commitment to one sandwich style. New Orleans would probably approve.
Seafood versions make an obvious starting point. Alaskan Cod, Shrimp, Catfish, and a Crab and Shrimp Cake po’boy cover the ocean side nicely.
Land lovers have plenty to work with as well. Chicken, Philly, Pulled Pork, Turkey, and Cuban options keep the meat crowd happy.
Andouille Sausage brings a classic Cajun accent to the lineup. Meanwhile, the Fried Green Tomato po’boy gives non-meat eaters a Southern classic of their own.
Then there’s the Craigy-T, a name that raises eyebrows. It sounds like a house original, the kind that makes you want to ask your server what’s inside.
Po’boys make a great fit for a midday stop. The doors open at 11:30 AM Tuesday through Friday, and Mondays are closed.
Carry-out and curbside pickup are available too. That’s handy if you’d rather eat your sandwich back at the cabin after a long day outside.
Honestly, picking just one po’boy might be the toughest choice of your trip. Bringing a friend to split two seems like the smartest solution.
Weekend Mornings Bring Shrimp Etouffee Benedict To The Table
Shrimp Etouffee on Eggs Benedict sounds like a dare, but it’s a real weekend breakfast option here. A Crab Cake Bennie sits right beside it.
Breakfast runs Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. That gives late sleepers a generous window after a busy Friday.
Traditional Eggs Benedict holds down the classic corner of the menu. Biscuits and gravy and chicken fried steak add some hearty Southern comfort.
The names alone make the menu fun to read. Daylight in the Swamp might be the most memorable breakfast title in the whole state.
A Grand Slam and French toast also make an appearance. Burrito fans can pick from Creole, Santa Fe, and Classic styles.
That mix covers sweet, savory, and spicy moods without much effort. Families with very different morning cravings should have no trouble agreeing on a table.
Weekend mornings in a ski town can get busy fast. Reservations are recommended because seating is limited, so booking ahead is a smart move.
Breakfast also sets you up for a full day of mountain fun. Few things beat heading out with a proper Southern meal already on board.
Steak Fans Won’t Feel Left Out Of The Seafood Party
A 14-ounce hand-cut ribeye on a Cajun seafood menu makes a lot of sense. It’s a nod to local ranch country sitting right next to the gumbo.
Meat lovers have a full lineup to choose from. A hand-cut ribeye, beef tenderloin, and pork ribs all appear on the menu.
Southern Chicken Fried Steak brings serious comfort food energy. It’s the kind of dish that feels made for a cold evening in the Rockies.
Burger fans can go for the Kobe Beef Burger. Chicken Roulade offers another option for anyone who prefers poultry over beef.
So why does a seafood spot carry so many steaks? Surf and turf is part of the identity here, and the menu gives both sides real attention.
That balance matters when groups have mixed tastes. One person can order scallops while another digs into a sirloin without anyone compromising.
Kids have their own menu as well, which helps families keep things simple. Everyone gets something that fits, and nobody needs a backup dinner stop.
Combine a steak with a cup of gumbo for a small taste of both worlds. It’s an easy way to sample the kitchen’s range in one visit.
The Drive Is Short, But Plan Your Timing Carefully
King’s Crossing Center might not sound like a dining destination. Yet this shopping center on Highway 40 is exactly where you’ll find Fontenot’s.
The full address is 78336 US Highway 40, Winter Park, CO 80482. It sits in King’s Crossing Center on Highway 40 in Winter Park, making it convenient for visitors exploring the town.
Hours are worth memorizing before you head over. Tuesday through Friday, the restaurant opens at 11:30 AM and closes at 8:30 PM.
Saturdays and Sundays start earlier, at 9:00 AM, with the same 8:30 PM closing time. Monday is the day off, so don’t plan a Monday gumbo craving.
Fontenot’s runs year-round, not just during ski season. Summer visitors heading through Grand County can stop in just as easily as winter travelers.
Seating is limited, and there’s a 90-minute limit once you sit down. Making a reservation is the easiest way to avoid a disappointed stomach.
Dine-in and carry-out are both on the table here. Curbside pickup is offered as well, which comes in handy after a tiring day on the slopes.
Short drive, clear hours, and flexible ordering options. That’s a pretty convenient setup for a mountain town dinner.
Casual Enough For Ski Boots, Fun Enough For A Birthday
Bistro meets industrial is one way the dining room has been described. Add a dash of New Orleans character to that, and the whole vibe makes sense with the menu.
Don’t expect anything stuffy here. The atmosphere stays casual and family-friendly, so you don’t need to dress up after a day outside.
A patio is part of the setup too. Warmer months in Colorado make that outdoor seating extra tempting.
Families get a real welcome through the children’s menu. Kids can eat something familiar while the grown-ups try etouffee or catfish.
Planning a bigger celebration? The venue can be rented for private parties, which opens the door for birthdays, reunions, or team dinners.
A private event here means Southern food for the whole crew. That beats another round of the same old pizza by a mile.
Remember that regular seating is limited inside. Calling ahead for big groups helps the staff plan and keeps everyone together.
The setting works for date nights, family meals, and casual catch-ups alike. Few mountain restaurants manage to feel this flexible without losing their own personality.
Save Room, Because The Dessert List Is Pure New Orleans Comfort
Bread pudding leads a dessert list that feels straight out of a French Quarter bakery case. Key Lime Pie and Creme Brulee keep it company.
Chocolate fans get a Double Chocolate Brownie. Cookies ‘n Cream Cheesecake covers anyone who wants something creamy and playful.
Key Lime Pie offers a citrusy option on the Cajun menu. Bread pudding brings a New Orleans favorite to the table.
Dessert also ties into the restaurant’s long story. Fontenot’s Fresh Seafood & Grill has been part of the Winter Park dining scene since 1990.
That’s more than three decades of serving Southern flavors in the mountains. It has held its spot as a local favorite for over twenty years.
Lasting that long in a ski town is no small feat. Restaurants come and go with the seasons, so staying power says plenty.
Sharing a couple of desserts is the smart play after a big meal. Grab extra spoons and let everyone vote on a favorite.
For a true taste of Colorado with a Louisiana accent, this is the spot. Finish with bread pudding, and the drive home will feel a whole lot sweeter.