A new restaurant has opened down the highway in Salida and it is already making its impression on the Salida community! Graystone Roadhouse, a family-owned business that officially opened on the third of April, provides more than just food, it offers opportunities to create connections, traditions and local comfort.
For Eleazar “Litzy” De Jesus Velazquez and her family, opening Graystone meant more than just starting a business for them, especially her parents. “They always had a passion for food and bringing people together,” she explained. That tradition inspired her parents to create a place where all types of customers can get together and enjoy a meal. The family has already had experience as entrepreneurs in another restaurant business when they opened a taco shop a few years ago. “It’s been going great,” Velazquez said, expressing that the success and encouragement from others has motivated them to expand. “We decided we wanted more… a lot of people have been encouraging us to have more businesses.”
The idea for Graystone Roadhouse curated pretty quickly. According to Velazquez, the family had been planning the start of the business for around six months after finding out about the available space. “We decided to check it out, we had some visuals of what it was going to be like,” she said. With a clear idea in mind, they began the process of transforming the space into a welcoming restaurant that everyone could enjoy.
Opening day didn’t go exactly as planned. “We’ve been open since April third in the afternoon,” Velazquez shared. “We were going to open in the morning but we were kind of a little bit behind.” Besides a little delay and a slower start than expected, the business has progressed. “Now it’s a bit busier,” she said.
A defining feature of Graystone Roadhouse is its work environment. Since the business is family run, teamwork is truly important in making it work daily. “The work environment is fast paced but very supportive,” Velazquez said. “There’s a strong sense of teamwork and everyone helps each other out.” The family also focuses on making the atmosphere as welcoming and positive as possible for both the staff and customers. “We just want this restaurant to be family friendly so people can recommend their friends or family… to come here and check it out.”
The menu itself reflects the restaurant’s focus on wholesome, flavorful meals. When asked for recommendations, Velazquez pointed to the dishes she favors the most. “One of my favorite dishes is either the New York Steak or ribs,” she shared. “IT really represents what we’re about and the fresh ingredients and bold flavors.” She added that the meals are usually paired with sides such as mashed potatoes, salida, or a daily vegetable, making the options given at Graystone Roadhouse a well rounded dining experience.
However, what sets Graystone Roadhouse apart from typical restaurants is the personal effort put into it behind the scenes. The family spent months preparing the restaurant before opening. “It took us months to clean… time to do the menus, the rough draft… the logo, the name,” Velazquez explained. “It was like this whole process.” The dedication shown is rooted in their hope to create something meaningful. “From recipes to customer service come from our family values and traditions,” she said, which helps make the experience genuine and comfortable for guests.
Looking into the future, the family hopes to continue growing the business while still keeping their values and sticking to their roots. “We want to build a strong connection with the community, create jobs and hopefully… expand while keeping that family feel,” Velazquez said. They have already created a cooperative and strong work basis to ensure employees and guests feel at home.
Graystone Roadhouse may be new to Salida, but the family is not. They shoot to share family feels, flavor and build connections. The restaurant is located at 720 E Rainbow Blvd, Salida, CO 81201.
