The look: No frills and easy to clean, with an emphasis on getting folks in and out fast and being family-friendly. There’s communal seating inside along with some individual spots, as well as plenty of patio tables at this below-ground-level spot that most recently was Noodles by Kenichi — but really, it’s just as easy to get it to go. Food comes out fast, and you can see it being made after you give your order at the cash register, which is right inside the front door. Then they hand over your meal right from the grill. It’s that simple.
On the menu: 520 bills itself as a burger joint, and as good as the hand- formed, half-pound regular is ($6.95) — with its puffy toasted bun, tomato slice, red onion, leaf lettuce and sweet house sauce — the bacon burger ($7.95) is special, with the bacon bits ground right in with the meat, so there’s crispy-salty-sweet bacon flavor in every bite. For fish eaters, things couldn’t be better: just- seared, medium-rare (the way we ordered it) salmon on a warm pita ($10.95) with mildly vinegary coleslaw and fresh greens piled on top and a slightly sweet chipotle mayo drizzled over is healthy and worth swearing off meat; there are chicken versions and one for “veg heads” ($6.95) with portobellos and roasted peppers. Side choices include hand-cut fries ($1.95) or sweet potato fries ($2.25), house- made potato chips ($1.95) and grilled veggies ($2.95), and there’s canned beer, single-serving wines and margaritas.
The vibe: Groovy and laid-back. Quite conscious of the fact that this is not a typical Aspen eatery — it’s reasonably priced, everyone looks like they just came off a trail, and no one cares who you are.
The service: The place is owned by a couple of dudes, Aspen native Wheaton Augur and his buddy Troy Selby, a 16-year Aspenite. Augur cheerfully took my order. An equally friendly and exuberant Wheaton made the food. Because you’re right there watching it all being done, there are a lot of opportunities to discuss changes, how you like your food prepared, and what the weather has been like lately. At peak times and when the place becomes more popular, this could significantly change, especially because it’s small in here.
When to visit: Slightly off-peak dining times make some sense if you plan to eat here, because seating is at a premium. 520 Grill, 520 E. Cooper Ave., Aspen, 970-925-9788. Daily 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Story and photo by Kyle Wagner
