Only in Colorado: The Pizza Spot Where You Dip the Crust in Honey
Few restaurants feel as purely Colorado as Beau Jo’s Pizza, a place where mountain tradition, tall tales, and unforgettable flavors all come together.
According to Beau Jo’s own legend, it all starts with founder Pete ZaPigh, a mysterious figure said to be a French fur trapper… or possibly someone who just showed up in Idaho Springs, Colorado one day with big dreams. His original plan was to hunt wooly mammoths in the Rockies, which, as it turns out, was not the most realistic business model. After years of coming up empty, Pete disappeared into an abandoned mine shaft, only to reemerge two years later with something far more valuable than mammoth fur… a bold new take on pizza.
That creation would become the foundation of Beau Jo’s, which officially opened its first location in 1973 in Idaho Springs. Perfectly positioned along I-70, it quickly became a must-stop for skiers, road trippers, and locals heading into the mountains.
What made Beau Jo’s different was its now-famous Colorado-style pizza. Thick, hand-rolled crusts, generous toppings, and hearty portions were built for altitude appetites. But the signature move was finishing the meal by drizzling honey over the crust. That sweet and savory twist turned every slice into something memorable and gave Colorado its own distinct pizza identity.
Over the years, Beau Jo’s expanded across the Front Range and built a loyal following. Its dining rooms became gathering spots filled with families, post-ski crowds, and longtime regulars who made it part of their mountain routine.
Today, Beau Jo’s remains popular because it hasn’t strayed from what made it special in the first place. It still delivers big portions, bold flavors, and a uniquely Colorado experience. In a state that has grown and changed rapidly, Beau Jo’s continues to serve up something rare: a slice of nostalgia, best enjoyed with a drizzle of honey.
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