RYE, COLORADO
On August 27, 2021, Mike Peck opened the Rye Café at 2115 Main Street in Rye. Last Tuesday, he and I sat down to talk about his first two years in business and what is in the future.
“People really receive our food well,” shared Peck when asked what had gone right in the last two years. “Pizza is what we do best and the number of dine-in and carry-out orders just keeps growing.”
To help moderate the normal ebb and flow of restaurants, Peck and his staff began a small convenience store concept in part of the restaurant. Not only is the store designed to help Rye natives avoid a 20-mile round trip for some basics, but also introduces restaurant customers to that service and convenience store customers to the food aroma. One can’t help but notice when a pizza is pulled out of the oven.
You can’t visit with Peck about things that have gone right without him talking about his employees. Peck has many of his original hires. He currently runs a staff of about 9-10. One of the original employees is his store manager Diane Storey. Peck refers to Storey as his right hand and the rest of his staff as his left hand.
Storey loves working at Rye Café. “I love the atmosphere of our café. It is such a lovely place to work,” she shared. “It has a quaint family atmosphere and visitors love to come in and ask about the valley. People love stories about the area and the café and feel at home here.”
Storey and Peck have a running joke about the motto of the café.
The motto is “where old friends meet and new friends are made.”
Storey has other ideas……… Peck moved to Rye from Las Vegas and he hasn’t missed the size, traffic or the lights of his former home.
“Vegas isn’t my cup of tea anymore,” Peck asserts. “I love the small-town atmosphere of Rye and I love the friends and customers that are part of my home.” Peck and his staff are waiting the results of the current “Best of Pueblo” publication. The famous Rye Café pizza is in the running for county wide recognition. Although customers would insist that the cobbler certainly qualifies as a best of the best also.
“I’ve had a number of elderly ladies who know about preparing food say that our pizza and our cobbler are the best they’ve ever tasted, including their own recipes,” Peck shared.
Recently the BBQ beef sandwich has grown in popularity, and Peck’s burgers are fresh pressed for every business day.
Peck is always looking toward being a more viable part of the community. He shared that, with the cold weather ebb in business, beginning October 2 the Rye Café will no longer be serving breakfast. He did indicate, however, that a number of favorite breakfast items will be carried during the day.
Peck is grateful for his loyal followers and indicated carry-out orders are on the increase as more people learn about the café. Peck is seldom not in the café, and it isn’t a lack of trust in his staff but a desire for them not to struggle with some of the more abnormal things that can happen in food service.
Peck has always had a lot of support from both his father and mother in whatever endeavor he is involved.
“I got my work ethic from my father,” Peck shared. “I’ve owned other companies and my dad taught me that you have to sacrifice to attain success. Dad busted his ass as a general contractor to the point of almost crippling himself.”
His dad suffered a serious injury when a stucco hose that was clogged busted loose. The force creased his dad’s hard hat and tore tendons in his arm. In addition, because of construction his dad’s knees got worse and worse. His passing left a hole which is still healing.
You can reach the Rye Café at (719) 489-3131. They also have a Facebook page. They are rated on google, Facebook and Trip Advisor among others. Their Google rating is 4.6.
Below are some postings by customers:
“Love the relaxed country setting. The food was amazing!!! Dog friendly patio. Everyone was nice, great service, and did I mention the food! Their pizza is a must!
Kid-friendliness: Kids welcome.”
“Every time I stop there, I am impressed with the experience.
The atmosphere, customer service, quality of the food everything! We had them cater a family function honoring the passing of a family member and were very happy we choose them for our event! So glad to have this option in Rye as all our family spend a lot of the me up there. It's nice to not HAVE to cook?”
“I love going to Rye Café. The food is cooked and served fresh to order. The waitstaff and owners are so nice; my son has special needs and they always go out of their way to make him feel welcome. It is my favorite place to take him because of the hospitality and compassion they show him.
He loves bacon so even though I hadn't ordered it, they know he likes it and gives him some!! 5 stars and I would give them more if I could.”
If you haven’t tried it in the last two years, it might just be time.