After learning the blueberry barbecue glazed meatloaf, the most popular dish at Woodland Park’s Boards & Barrels Bistro & Whiskey House was sold out, disappointment quickly set in; fortunately, it didn’t last long.

The Menu

Offerings include an eclectic mix of comfort foods. Besides meatloaf ($20), there’s roasted chicken, paella and duck confit. Numerous items are prepared in-house, including pickled onion, sauces, dressings and smoked meats. Attention is paid to seasonal ingredients.

True to the bistro’s name, three charcuterie boards are available and the bar features an extensive list of whiskeys.

Critic’s Tip

The restaurant isn’t open Mondays, so not everything was prepped to meet demand on Tuesday. This meant some dishes ran out early, most notably on my visit, the blueberry barbecue glazed meatloaf. Either go early or skip Tuesdays.

On the Table

The Nose to Tail Board ($28) could have easily been a meal in itself. Even shared, there was more than we could eat knowing we had entrees coming.

The beautifully presented board featured cubes of mustard and blueberry cheddars, a variety of (pitless) olives, exceptional, tangy pickled onions, slices of house-made bourbon-smoked ham, prosciutto, chorizo, Calabrese sausage, marinated artichokes and chicharrones along with watermelon jam (also made in-house), crackers and bread.

The jam had a subtle element of spice that paired well with the ham. The onions played well with everything. The chicharrones (fried pork skin) added crunchy texture, but little in the way of taste.

The marinated pork chop ($25) was recommended and with good reason. A thick, lollipop pork chop served with house-made apple butter was tender and juicy. The peppercorn-infused marinade was surprisingly not overwhelming. This was a hearty meal served with mushroom rice and grilled broccolini. 

Because the elements of the charcuterie board were so plentiful, I opted for something that sounded intriguing and could be easily divided for leftovers: blackberry “cheesecake” grilled cheese sandwich ($15). Whole, fresh berries with cream cheese, prosciutto and basil filled two slices of toasted sourdough bread. This was an unusual combination that was sweeter than anticipated, which made the inclusion of the savory ham much appreciated. This came with a choice of sides: house-made chips, poblano coleslaw, side salad or buckwheat quinoa rice pilaf. I went with the chips, which were fine.

The Venue

The décor is rustic with knotty-wood paneling and a large stone fireplace. There’s a community table that’s usually available (when there aren’t reservations for a large party), a few high tops, two and four tops. The place was busy but not so loud that conversations required shouting or reduced us to silence.

At first glance, the large outdoor seating area seemed almost peaceful with a sense of being in the trees, but the sounds from nearby U.S. 24 dispelled that notion. Still, Woodland Park’s cooler temperatures make it a welcome relief from the summer heat.

Afterthoughts

Disappointment about the meatloaf aside, what was ordered was very well prepared. Service was friendly, informative and attentive. 

Reservations are accepted and recommended, although there was an issue with ours. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our meal and appreciated the many in-house touches.

We now know to arrive early so as not to miss out on the house specialty.

Know Before You Go

Boards & Barrels Bistro & Whiskey House

Upscale creative spins on comfort food

Location: 19263 W. U.S. 24, Woodland Park 

Contact: 719-687-8160; boardsandbarrelsbistroandwhiskeyhouse.com

Entrée prices: $7 to $38

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday (closed Monday) 

Details: Outdoor dining; alcohol; credit cards accepted.

Favorite dishes: Nose to Tail Board and marinated pork chop

Other: Gluten-free and vegan options available.

Teller County Health Department inspection:49 of 56 items in compliance June 2025