The Western Slope has an appeal unequal to any other areas of Colorado. The history of the Wild West, the scenery of the Mesa and the national monument, and the home-style cooking makes this place very unique. Finding a way to experience all of these aspects at once is difficult, but fortunately the Grand Valley offers a place that will give you just that. Starvin Arvin’s in Clifton has the appeal of an old western tavern, portraits and keepsakes from the scenic local attractions and most importantly, freshly-made food.

The interior of the building sets the theme from the get-go. Antique rifles, porcelain animal sculptures, American flags and even a steer’s head are lined along the wood-paneled walls of the building. As you enter further into the restaurant, the decorations change to signs of campsites in the monument and trails of Moab that are accompanied by pictures of the area.
I was greeted with a smile and taken immediately to a booth and served with a glass of water. While the menu offers choices for every meal of the day, it was clear that they specialize in breakfast. One of the choices on the breakfast menu, the biscuit sandwich, was claimed to be “the best breakfast sandwich you will find anywhere.” It is made up of your choice of ham, bacon or sausage covered in American cheese and placed on a freshly made biscuit. However, this was no ordinary biscuit. At Starvin Arvin’s, the special recipe items come in only one size: extra large. The biscuit was bigger than most hamburger buns and was smothered in butter. Along with a side of hash browns that came with the colossal biscuit sandwich, I had the final piece to the Western Slope experience. It may not sound like a huge meal, but what the dish lacked in quantity was made up for with quality.

The waitress that served me was very pleasant and fun to talk to. She even rewarded me with a free cinnamon roll (which also came in family size) for what she believed to be an unnecessarily long wait for my food.

I think it would be in everyone’s best interest to try Starvin Arvin’s. Even if the theme isn’t what you’re into, the food definitely will be.