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The Rusty Melon

Erie, CO✓ Verified
Golden Hour verified May 2026
Caesar's Take

Locally owned by Justine and Rusty, and regulars treat it like the neighborhood bar Erie needed. Solid pub-style setup with a long bar dominating the interior, dark atmosphere, and a menu that goes further than typical bar food. The mac and cheese and the green chile fries are the signature moves. Worth the trip from neighboring towns.

What to order
Reaper burger, smoked wings, green chile cheese fries, mac and cheese, and fish and chips are the most consistently praised. Jumbo wings come with seven sauce options including Rusty's Reaper, honey sriracha, reaper mango, and jerk seasoning. The M80 shrimp bowl and green chili smothered burger are worth ordering for something beyond standard bar food.
Patio
Spacious open-air patio with teal shade sails stretched between decorative metal palm trees. Multiple tables with mixed seating, string lights, railing opening to green space and trees. Enough coverage to make afternoon sun manageable. One of the better patios in Erie for the setting alone.
More details
Signature move
Grab the patio on a sunny afternoon, order the green chile cheese fries and the Reaper burger, get a local draft, and let the bartender talk you into trying Rusty's Reaper sauce before you decide how brave you actually are.
Good to know
Kitchen closes at 9pm Mon-Sat and 8pm Sunday. Earlier than bar close. No happy hour published on the official site. Craft beer options on tap are limited.
Happy Hour
No verified HH — full bar confirmed; specific pricing not published
View on Map → Directions ↗ Website ↗
Address
Cheap Food Forward Patio Sports Bar Wings
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