Garlic Mike's

Established in 1994, Garlic Mike’s occupies a rustic log cabin footprint on the banks of the Gunnison River in Gunnison, Colorado, serving Italian cuisine to locals and tourists alike. The interior features a viewing kitchen and a fireplace, while the exterior offers an outdoor covered patio and piazza with private cabana seating. During the summer months, the River Bar operates nightly starting at 4 PM, serving a casual menu from a separate food trailer in an open-seating environment. The main restaurant opens for dinner at 5 PM, featuring Friday night grilled oysters and live music on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. An on-site event tent seats up to 60 people, expandable for larger gatherings, supporting cocktail parties, multi-course plated dinners, and buffets. Chef Mike Busse also provides personal chef services, traveling to clients' homes or vacation retreats in the Gunnison Valley and Southwest Florida to create customized dining experiences for groups up to 50 guests. The business was named the 2020 Gunnison People's Choice Award Winner for Best Restaurant and Best Chef.