Bob's Place Balances Price Hikes With New Patio in Avon

Aspen —“Obviously, we can’t do the $1.99 because that will put you out of business, but we always really try to focus on what’s fair.”

That quote from Chris Doyle, owner of Bob’s Place, is the only thing standing between a local and a price hike that actually makes sense. It’s a small admission from a family that has dominated the Avon dining scene for over three decades. But let’s look at the actual numbers before we get lost in the nostalgia.

In 1977, Doyle’s breakfast special was $1.99. Today, that same breakfast is likely closer to $12 or $13, depending on how many eggs you pile onto the plate. That is a nearly 600% increase in raw cost over 47 years. Inflation has eaten the difference, sure, but so has the expansion of the menu and the addition of a sports bar that rivals any venue in the valley.

Bob’s Place isn’t just a restaurant anymore. It’s a landmark. It’s a social hub. And this summer, it’s a patio destination.

The restaurant recently renovated its patio for summertime dining. We’re talking shaded seating, sturdy furniture, and those cheery yellow umbrellas that signal to locals it’s time to sit outside and watch the world go by. It’s a smart move. Avon gets hot. The dining room gets crowded. The patio keeps the party outside where it belongs, and it keeps the revenue flowing during the peak season.

The menu itself is massive. I’m not talking about a curated selection of local ingredients. I’m talking about omelets, breakfast tacos, burritos, huevos rancheros, Benedicts, waffles, burgers, sandwiches, country-fried steak, fish and chips, and fajitas. It’s a buffet of options available from 11 a.m. until midnight. You can get a Mexican Benedict with chorizo, avocado, and Oaxaca cheese smothered in homemade chipotle hollandaise, or you can order “The Aspen Omelet,” which is just the Avon Omelet with a markup for the name.

Chris Doyle and his wife, Caron, run the business now. They grew up around it. They know the value proposition. They know that locals will tolerate a higher price point if the service is friendly and the beer is cold. The sports bar side, with its pool tables and what Vail Daily calls “perhaps the most complete sports package found locally,” ensures that even if you’re not hungry, you’re still spending money.

But here’s the rub. The Doyle family moved from Vail to Avon in 1992. They landed in their current location in Avon Center in 2000. They’ve been here long enough to remember when the town was just over 2,000 people. Now, Avon is a tourist magnet. The pressure to raise prices is constant. The pressure to maintain “value” is harder.

Chris Doyle says the goal is to create value for locals and guests. That’s a lot of pressure to put on one family. It means they have to absorb some of the rising cost of goods, some of the increasing labor expenses, and some of the escalating real estate bills, all while keeping the Bloody Marys flowing.

The new patio is a tangible asset. It’s an investment in the customer experience. It’s also a signal that Bob’s Place is doubling down on the summer season. They’re not just waiting for the skiers to leave. They’re preparing for the hikers, the bikers, and the locals who want to eat a burger outside without sweating through their shirts.

It’s a little bit of everything. That’s the point. It’s a sports bar. It’s a family restaurant. It’s a late-night snack spot. It’s a patio. It’s a piece of Avon history that’s still relevant because it’s still profitable.

For the locals, the bottom line is simple. You’re paying more than you did in 1977. You’re getting more variety, more comfort, and a better place to sit. You’re also paying for the privilege of watching the game on one of 30 TVs. That’s the cost of doing business in Avon. It’s steep. It’s fair. And it’s the only way Bob’s Place stays in business.