Colorado’s mountains hide a secret: kitchens serving up authentic Southern comfort that warms you better than any ski lodge fireplace. From crispy fried chicken to slow-simmered collard greens, these soul food restaurants dish up flavors that transport you straight to grandma’s Sunday dinner table. Whether you’re a Colorado native or just passing through, these beloved local spots offer the kind of home cooking that feeds both body and spirit.
CoraFaye’s Café — Aurora’s Southern Time Machine
Walking into CoraFaye’s feels like stepping through a portal to a Southern grandmother’s kitchen circa 1950. Vintage decor adorns walls that have witnessed countless family celebrations and first dates.
The smothered pork chops fall apart under your fork, swimming in gravy that demands to be sopped up with sweet cornbread. Owner Priscilla Smith learned these recipes at her grandmother CoraFaye’s side, and that authenticity comes through with every bite.
Regulars know to save room for the sweet potato pie—a recipe so guarded it might as well be locked in a vault. The restaurant has moved locations several times but never lost its soul…