Since 1946, Families Have Been Sliding Into The Booths At This Englewood Drive-In For Burgers

Some restaurants hand you a menu the size of a phone book. This one hands you a choice between a single and a double, and then asks if you want cheese.

That is basically the whole decision. South of Denver, in a tiny Colorado town that most drivers pass without slowing down, a little tavern has been turning out burgers for close to eight decades.

It has outlasted trends, survived several owners, and still refuses to fry a single potato. People drive in from the city, from the mountains, and from the trails just to grab a seat at a shared table.

Keep reading to learn where it is, why the menu is so short, what to bring in your wallet, and how to time your trip so you get a seat without the weekend squeeze.

A Small Town Address Worth the Detour

The trip ends on a short street in a very small town. Bud’s Cafe & Bar sits at 5453 Manhart Ave, Sedalia, CO 80135, in the United States, tucked into the area south of Denver.

Sedalia is the kind of place where the main strip takes about a minute to cover. That is part of the appeal.

The spot calls itself a cafe and a bar, and it really is both at once. It blends a hometown diner with a neighborhood tavern, and nobody seems to mind the mix.

People come from Denver on purpose. Some arrive on their way to or from Colorado Springs and simply adjust their route to fit in a stop.

Others roll in after a long day outdoors in the nearby hills. The location makes it an easy pause between the city and the high country.

Getting there is simple for anyone already traveling the Front Range. The town is small enough that the building is hard to miss once you arrive.

Expect a modest storefront rather than a flashy sign show. The place has never tried to look bigger than it is.

Still, that unassuming address carries a long history, and the story behind it is where things start to get interesting.

Seventy-Eight Years and Only Four Owners

Very few restaurants can say they have changed hands only a handful of times. This one has had four owners across roughly 78 years.

That kind of continuity is rare. Each owner kept the core idea intact instead of reinventing it.

The staff are happy to share the backstory if you ask. Bartenders often pass along tales of the place and of the people who have kept it going.

The current owner is known to stop by and chat. He has even been spotted answering questions online and nudging folks to come try a burger.

History is literally on the walls here. Signs and memorabilia hang everywhere, and many of them hint at earlier chapters of the building.

Locals describe it as a little old tavern that has been around forever. That reputation has been earned one burger at a time.

It is fun to treat the walls like a scavenger hunt while waiting. Every corner seems to hold another item worth asking about.

Of course, a long history only matters if the kitchen still delivers. So what exactly keeps people coming back after all these decades?

The Shortest Menu in Colorado

Decision fatigue does not exist here. The menu boils down to a single burger or a double burger, with or without cheese.

That is it. There are no thirty-seven page menus, no specials board to study, and no lengthy list of combos.

Fans love this approach because it keeps the focus where it belongs. The kitchen does one thing and does it the same way every time.

Burgers come with a simple side, and there are a few flavor choices posted on the wall for a small upcharge. Extra flavors cost about a dollar more.

Toppings arrive on the side rather than piled on top. You build your burger the way you like it at the table.

Plenty of sauces are available, yet many regulars insist the burger needs nothing added. Others suggest asking for peppers for a little extra kick.

Gluten-free diners are not left out either. The staff will leave the bun off on request.

A short menu can sound limiting on paper. In practice, it feels freeing, and it clears the stage for the burger itself.

Burgers That Built a Reputation

Burgers earn the most attention here by a wide margin. They come up again and again whenever people talk about this tavern.

The patties are hand formed, and the kitchen avoids leaning on freezer shortcuts. Fresh produce is part of the routine.

Each burger is cooked to order, so it lands at the table fresh off the grill. The bun is steamed and served hot.

The double cheeseburger has a particular fan club. Many people order it on their very first visit and never switch.

The single is no lightweight, though. The patty size is generous enough that lighter eaters often find one plenty filling.

The spot has also landed on a well-known Denver best burger list. Burger hunters working through that list make the drive south just to check it off.

Plenty of fans call it one of the best burgers they have ever had. Some rank it in their personal top three without hesitation.

Not everyone is swept away, and a few folks see it as a solid small town bar burger rather than a revelation. Even so, the steady crowd suggests most people leave planning a return trip.

For a joint that does one thing, it clearly does that one thing well.

No Fries, No Apologies

First-timers often scan the table and ask the obvious question. Where are the fries?

The answer is simple. There are none, and there never seem to be.

This quirk is one of the most talked-about features of the place. It has become almost a badge of honor among loyal fans.

Some people wish fries were offered. Most shrug and agree that nobody makes the trip for a side dish anyway.

A popular bit of advice floats around among regulars. If you are still hungry, skip wishing for fries and order another burger.

The rule keeps the kitchen lean and the line moving. It also keeps the identity of the place crystal clear.

Plenty of restaurants try to please everyone with endless options. This tavern takes the opposite path and seems happier for it.

Consider it a friendly heads-up rather than a drawback. Show up expecting burgers and simple sides, and nothing will catch you off guard.

Of course, the menu is not the only rule worth knowing before you go. The next one involves your wallet.

Bring Cash, Seriously

Card readers have not made it through the front door. Bud’s is strictly cash only, and this is the single most repeated tip about the place.

There is no ATM inside the building. Plan ahead before you sit down.

Luckily, there is an ATM across the street. That small detail has saved more than a few hungry travelers.

The smartest move is to stop at a bank or machine on the drive in. Arriving prepared keeps the visit smooth.

Cash-only policies can feel old-fashioned. Here, it fits right in with everything else about the joint.

The approach also keeps transactions quick at the counter. Fewer gadgets mean less fuss for everyone.

Groups should sort out payment before ordering. Splitting a tab is easier when everyone already has bills in hand.

Think of it as part of the time capsule experience. A few dollars in your pocket is the price of admission to a place that has not changed its ways in a long while.

Speaking of dollars, the next question is how many you will actually need.

What a Burger Costs Here

Good news for budget travelers comes early. Most meals here fall in the 10 to 20 dollar range per person.

Burger prices have been quoted at around 5.25 dollars for a single and 7.95 dollars for a double with cheese. Some folks have mentioned a burger and side for about five dollars.

Prices have crept up over time, as they have everywhere. Even so, longtime fans still call it a strong deal.

A double cheeseburger with a side and a drink has run a little over nine dollars. Other mentions put a double with a side closer to ten dollars.

Exact figures can shift, so bring a bit more than you think you need. That way a second burger is never out of reach.

Not everyone considers it a bargain of the century. Still, for a cooked-to-order meal in a historic spot, the value holds up well.

Drinks are also offered at friendly prices. The whole visit tends to stay light on the wallet.

Affordable meals help explain why families and regulars return so often. A cheap lunch that feels like a tradition is hard to beat.

Where the Diner Meets the Tavern

No-frills is the house style, and it is applied with care. The interior skips fancy decor in favor of honest, lived-in comfort.

There is a cool bar setup along with a good-sized dining room. The layout lets the space work as both a cafe and a neighborhood hangout.

Signs and memorabilia cover the walls. Locals often gather at the bar watching the news and catching up on everyday topics.

A jukebox is part of the setting too. On some days, though, conversation is the only soundtrack.

Acoustic tiles on the ceiling make chatting easier. You can actually hear the person across the table.

The room is on the smaller side, especially for how popular it is. Some find it snug and cozy, while others find it a bit cramped on busy days.

Many describe it as a place that feels like home on the very first visit. The atmosphere is relaxed enough for a quick lunch or a long, lazy afternoon.

The building sets the stage, but the people inside give it a heartbeat. They deserve a section of their own.

Friendly Faces Behind the Bar

Hospitality here comes with a story on the side. The staff are known for warm attitudes, honest smiles, and quick, friendly service.

Bartenders often share bits of local history with newcomers. They can fill you in on past owners and on the colorful regulars who keep the place lively.

Some regulars are practically town legends. They hold court at their tables while neighbors stop by to say hello.

Everyone seems to know each other. Even so, out-of-towners are welcomed into the circle without any awkwardness.

Servers earn plenty of praise by name from happy guests. Their teamwork keeps orders flowing even when the room fills up.

The owner pops in from time to time as well. That personal touch makes the place feel genuinely family run.

Small town charm can be hard to manufacture. Here, it simply happens because the same faces keep showing up year after year.

Friendly people tend to draw a crowd, and this crowd is a varied bunch. So who exactly fills those tables?

Trail Riders, Families and Burger Hunters

Muddy boots are a common sight on weekend afternoons. Trail riders often make a habit of stopping in after a day out at nearby Rampart.

Hikers and travelers coming down from the mountains find it a fitting reward. A hearty meal after a long day outdoors just makes sense.

Families visiting relatives in the area like to sneak in a visit. For some, it has become a must-do every time they are in town.

Burger lovers from Denver treat it as a destination. A few are working through entire best burger lists and plan routes around this stop.

Locals make up the loyal core of the crowd. Their presence keeps the neighborhood spirit alive.

The vibe suits anyone who values substance over show. Fans of fancy plating or long menus might feel a bit lost.

Gluten-free guests can join in by skipping the bun. That small flexibility widens the welcome.

With so many different people heading to one small room, timing a visit becomes important. The next section covers exactly that.

Hours, Crowds and Shared Tables

Consistency rules the schedule. The doors open at 10 AM and close at 9 PM every single day of the week.

That steady routine makes planning easy. Lunch, an early dinner, or a mid-afternoon snack all fit inside the window.

Weekends get very busy. The small room fills up fast, and waits are common at peak times.

Short waits of around five minutes have been mentioned during busier stretches. Patience usually pays off quickly.

Shared tables are part of the deal when things get packed. Regulars encourage newcomers to cozy up next to strangers rather than hover by the door.

Weekday afternoons tend to be calmer. A Sunday afternoon visit can still offer a relaxed pace with time to chat.

Arriving a little before the usual lunch rush is a smart move. Late afternoon can also work well for a quieter meal.

Remember the cash rule before heading over. A full wallet and a flexible attitude make any time a good time.

All that leaves one last question to settle.

Why the Booths Keep Filling Up

Nearly eight decades on, the formula has barely budged. A short menu, a cash drawer, and a burger cooked to order still carry the whole show.

The numbers back up the loyalty. The tavern holds a 4.7 star average from well over a thousand people who have stopped by.

Not every single guest is converted. A few see it as a decent small town burger and nothing more, and that is fair.

For most, though, the appeal goes beyond the plate. It is the friendly staff, the walls full of history, and the feeling of belonging after one visit.

It is a place that never chased trends. Instead, it let the trends come and go outside its door.

Plan for cash, skip any hopes of fries, and arrive early on weekends. Those three tips cover almost everything you need to know.

Then grab a seat, order the single or the double, and decide on cheese. The rest takes care of itself.

Some traditions are worth keeping simple. This little Sedalia tavern proves that a great burger never really goes out of style.