The Owl Cigar Store

The Owl Cigar Store is a living time capsule. Walking through the door is like stepping into 1930s America—the original tile floors, pressed-tin ceiling, vintage soda fountain, and wooden booths have been serving Canon City residents for over a century. The name is a holdover from the era when such establishments sold tobacco alongside food and sundries. Today, The Owl is a lunch spot beloved by locals. The counter seats fill with regulars—retired miners, ranchers in from the valley, courthouse employees on coffee breaks. They come for honest, no-frills food: green chile smothered burritos made from a recipe that hasn't changed in decades, hand-mixed malts and shakes from the original fountain equipment, and classic diner sandwiches. The portions are generous, the prices are reasonable, and the service has that small-town warmth that's increasingly rare. Servers know many customers by name and remember their usual orders. For visitors, The Owl offers something beyond good food—it's an authentic glimpse into small-town Colorado life. This isn't a recreated nostalgia experience; it's the real thing, a business that has weathered economic downturns, changing tastes, and a century of history by simply doing what it does well. The food tastes better because of the setting, and the setting feels more meaningful because the food is genuinely good. Cash preferred.