Walking into Bubba’s — the new family restaurant at the crossroads of U.S. Highway 491 and Colorado Highway 184 — one notices delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen into a clean and spacious dining room.

Owner and chef Linley “Bubba” Leonard is busy cooking up the hearty, homestyle classics that made the place popular when it was the Roundup.

“I’ve worked here on and off for many years, but the best part this time is that I’m the owner!” Leonard said.

Whether it’s feasting on hefty portions of chicken-fried steak, liver and onions, burgers, rib-eyes, pork ribs or fried chicken, you won’t walk away hungry.

“Our Navajo tacos are pretty famous too, and our Friday night prime rib is not to be missed,” said waitress Ginny Martin.

And with a new liquor license, diners can wash all that goodness down with a glass of beer or wine.

Customers Sonny and Ellie Ward, of Cortez, rode up on their matching motorcycles to try it out and had rave reviews.

“The food is wonderful. The Navajo tacos are huge, and the steak sandwich was savory,” Ellie Ward said.

Friday through Sunday, the restaurant also serves full breakfast.

The staff at Bubba’s is a tight-knit family, and related to one another in some way.

“We serve a lot of locals, and travelers stop in a lot because were right on a busy highway,” server Cheyenne Martin said. “We have lots of room to accommodate big families.”

Slim chef Leanord doesn’t look like your stereotypical “Bubba,” but the nickname stuck when a young niece called him that because she couldn’t pronounce his real name.

Before rushing off to take more orders for Bubba to cook, server Wendy Hill said they staff is “continuing the tradition of serving up great food at this well-known crossroads.”

Bubba’s is open Tuesday through Sunday, and closed Mondays. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Their phone number is (970) 882-3337.

jmimiaga@the-journal.com