Here is a list of Estes Park fast food. Most of the restaurants are of the chain variety, and I encourage you to try out the local fare. It's better and it's unique. You can get McDonald's ANYWHERE…
A&W 860 Moraine Ave., (970) 586-7867, $ Burgers, hot dogs, fries, onion rings, ice cream, and signature root beer.
Blimpie Subs 860 Moraine Ave., (970) 586-7867, $ Fast submarine sandwiches made to order.
Chicago's Best 112 W Elkhorn, (970) 586-4796, $ Chicago-style pizza and hot dogs, homemade soups, and more. The appearance of the place belies the quality of the food, which is surprisingly good.
Dairy Queen 218 E Elkhorn, (970) 586-4939, $ Ice cream treats plus an assortment of fast food.
DeLeo's Park Theatre Café and Deli 132 Moraine Ave., (970) 577-1134, $$ Humongous and delicious East Coast-style deli sandwiches. Featured on The Food Network! Right next door to one of Estes Park's two movie theaters for your pre- or post-movie munchies.
14ers Café 116 E Elkhorn, (970) 586-8300, $ Quick and tasty sandwiches and wraps, all named for 14,000 ft. (and higher) peaks in Colorado.
McDonald's 501 Big Thompson Ave., (970) 586-3434, $ Ummm... what's there to say about McDonald's? Eat there if you must. Haven't you seen Super Size Me?!
Mountain Munchies 189 E Riverside Dr., (970) 586-4546 Get a "Mountain Dog" or a burger with a side of sweet potato fries and a smoothie. Family-run fast food near the Post Office.
Penelope's Burgers and Fries 229 W Elkhorn, (970) 586-2277, $ Voted best burger in Estes, I have friends who swear by them.
Subway 111 W. Elkhorn, (970) 586-4688, $ There were, at one time, FOUR Subway locations in Estes Park, plus a Blimpie's. Amazing. I think we're down to two and a half (the half is open seasonally at a mini golf place.) Anyway, they serve sub sandwiches made to order.
Subway 517 Big Thompson Ave., (970) 577-7744, $ Ditto the above.
Taco Bell/KFC 537 Big Thompson Ave., (970) 586-0408, $ Fast food "Mexican" and fried chicken.
My favorite? Well, I don't really eat a lot of fast food, but I'd say it's a toss up between Mountain Munchies, which makes a terrific Mountain Dog and sweet potato fries, and Chicago's Best, with some fantastic homemade soups and real Chicago-style hot dogs. And both of them are run by really nice local families.
DeLeo's, meanwhile, makes a gargantuan deli sandwich and some amazing baked beans, and I like to pop into Fourteeners Cafe every now and again for a wrap.
Why not Penelope's Burgers and Fries? Okay, shoot me, I've never been there. For some reason I don't find myself on that "end" of town as much, even though the town is all of three blocks long! I know lots of people that like Penelope's, and they describe it as a "step up from regular fast food."
