In a town like Estes Park, where stories hang in the air like the scent of pine and fresh cinnamon rolls, Claire’s Restaurant isn’t just another place to eat—it’s part of the fabric. If you’ve ever had breakfast here with a view of Bond Park, you already know that. If you haven’t? Well, let me introduce you.
I sat down with Ryan Banker, the owner, and Sean Bedford chef, and unofficial mayor of Main Street fine dining, and got the inside scoop on how this little downtown gem came to be. Spoiler alert: it involves a house on a flatbed truck.
The Original Claire—and the House that Rolled Away
Let’s rewind to the early ’90s. Gerald Mayo Broker owner of Estes Park Team Realty was working as a teller next door at the then First National Bank (which is now Bank of Estes changing names since 1991). I was making $5.50 per hour and you couldn’t get the smile off of my face said Gerald. I was living in Estes Park! Claire had a dream, an eye on a location next to the bank and across from Bond Park, and a stubborn sense of vision. The only problem? There was already a house sitting on that lot—and the owners weren’t about to part with it. Claire’s Restaurant officially opened its doors.
So, in true Estes Park fashion, they did what any determined Coloradan might do. They propped that house up on a flatbed truck and moved it.
That’s right—moved the whole house to a different location just so Aunt Claire could build what she always intended: a welcoming, community-centered restaurant in the heart of downtown Estes Park. And in July of 1992,
From Aunt Claire to Family Business
Fast forward to 2013. Aunt Claire retired (though I hear she still checks in from time to time), and Ryan stepped in to carry on the tradition. But he didn’t come alone. His mom—Claire’s sister Dodie Banker—joined the party too. And let me tell you, she’s a fireball. Never without a smile this wonderful woman wanders through the restaurant topping off coffee cups, clearing tables and just making sure everything is just right. She isn’t the only one. You would think owner Ryan was a busser as he busses tables, checks with patrons to make sure their meal was just right. No stone goes unturned when it comes to good food and great service at Claires. Bond Park on the outside seating is extra special when the elk are taking residence there as they often do.
Don’t forget, you can wet your whistle there too. They have a great bar and bartender with selections from margaritas, bloody mary’s and your favorite mixed drink. When you are on vacation remember - it’s 5:00 somewhere.
Whether she’s pouring coffee, running food, or chatting up tourists from fifty states over, along with too many foreign countries to count she brings energy to the place that you can feel in the air. This isn’t just a family-run business. It’s a multi-generation labor of love.
The prime rib at Claires is extra special but you can’t get a bad meal there. Overlooking
Where the Magic Happens
We stepped into the kitchen, and as Sean put it: “This is where the magic happens.”
Every day, that kitchen fills with the sound of sizzling skillets, the quick shuffle of tickets, and a hardworking crew whipping up everything from Elk Benedict to their legendary Fried Chicken and Waffles. And if you ask Sean what his favorite dish is? “The thyme and lemon chicken,” he said without hesitation. “It’s phenomenal.”
He’s not wrong. Folks have come from all over the world and left saying, “That was the best fried chicken I’ve ever had.” And when someone says that in a town full of foodies and travelers, it means something.
A Seat with A View (and a Story)
Inside, the booths are comfy, the coffee is hot, and the view out the window is pure Estes Park. Complete with a glimpse of Longs Peak in the distance. Claire’s sits right across from Bond Park, where there’s always something going on, from art shows to elk herds.
There’s also a large patio out front, perfect for soaking in the Colorado sun while you eat. Inside, I always seem to end up in a chair instead of a booth. Sean says it’s for crowd control. I think it’s just because I talk too much.
Always Invited
Whether you’re a local grabbing breakfast before a hike, or a visitor looking for that classic small-town dining experience, Claire’s has a plate and a place for you. The building may have started as an empty lot, but what’s been built here over the past three decades is nothing short of community. Estes Park—because it is.
So the next time you’re wandering downtown, stop in. Say hi to Ryan and Sean, wave to his mom, and grab a bite of something that tastes like
Until next time, Gerald
