{"id":128261,"date":"2026-05-09T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/the-wilds-tavern-opens-at-former-switchback-taco-site\/"},"modified":"2026-05-09T05:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T11:00:00","slug":"the-wilds-tavern-opens-at-former-switchback-taco-site","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/the-wilds-tavern-opens-at-former-switchback-taco-site\/","title":{"rendered":"The Wilds Tavern opens at former Switchback Taco site"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Lindsay
Lindsay Gearig, seen here on Tuesday, and Dan Gearig, owners of the former restaurant Switchback, have opened The Wilds Tavern in its place. They are serving classic dishes and cocktails at 741 Main Ave. in downtown Durango. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Cocktail bar and dinner restaurant The Wilds Tavern opened May 1 on Main Avenue in the space formerly occupied by Switchback Taco.<\/p>\n

Lindsay and Dan Gearig, owners of Switchback, announced plans to convert the former taco shop at 741 Main Ave. into the new, swankier concept in late March. The shop\u2019s roughly four-week makeover culminated in a transformed, sleeker interior with the same base layout as Switchback.<\/p>\n

\"The
The Wilds Tavern serves classic dishes and cocktails at 741 Main Ave. in downtown Durango. Its menu touts seven entrees ranging in price from $18 to $24, including a burger, steak frites, fish and chips, and smoked chicken leg with whipped potatoes. \u201cLittle Wilds\u201d \u2013 entrees served in smaller quantities \u2013 are also available for a reduced price. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

\u201cWe\u2019re paying homage to classic dishes and cocktails executed thru (sic) thoughtful preparations,\u201d read a post<\/a> on the restaurant\u2019s new Instagram page.<\/p>\n

The Wilds Tavern is open 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.<\/p>\n

The Gearigs first opened Switchback Taco in 2019. The pair also own burger joint Famburger, which has two locations: one at 1400 East Second Ave. in Durango and another at 108 E. Grand Ave. in Mancos.<\/p>\n

Despite some customers expressing disappointment about the Mexican street food shop closing, several comments on The Wilds\u2019 new Instagram page praised the revamped food and environment.<\/p>\n

\u201c10\/10! Fabulous food and atmosphere,\u201d one commenter wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe loved our meal last night!! Such a great spot for Durango,\u201d another said.<\/p>\n

\"Lindsay
Lindsay and Dan Gearig, owners of the former restaurant Switchback, have opened The Wilds Tavern, serving classic dishes and cocktails at 741 Main Ave. in downtown Durango. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

The menu touts seven entrees ranging in price from $18 to $24, including a burger, steak frites, fish and chips, and smoked chicken leg with whipped potatoes. \u201cLittle Wilds\u201d \u2013 entrees served in smaller quantities \u2013 are also available for a reduced price.<\/p>\n

The range of starters and sides include mac and cheese, a nicoise salad, charred carrots and grilled broccolini, among other offerings, and range in price from $8 to $15.<\/p>\n

Drink offerings include margaritas, martinis, mixed drinks, several beers and an extensive wine list; prices range from $6.50 for an IPA to $90 for a bottle of Faust Cabernet.<\/p>\n

Two desserts \u2013 an eight-layer chocolate cake and a brown butter peach crumble \u2013 go for $10 and $9, respectively.<\/p>\n

\"Lindsay
Lindsay and Dan Gearig, owners of the former restaurant Switchback, have opened The Wilds Tavern, serving classic dishes and cocktails at 741 Main Ave. in downtown Durango. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Switchback, which operated as a more casual eatery and sold a different genre of food, was selling three tacos for $12, a cup of elote for $5.25 and a house margarita for $8.50 outside of happy hour before it closed.<\/p>\n

The Wilds Tavern owners did not respond to request for comment.<\/p>\n

epond@durangoherald.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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