"Fresh oysters and chef Sheila Lucero's sustainable seafood in landlocked Colorado — the Big Red F group's Old Town bar has made the coastless feel coastal since the 1990s."
About Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar
Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar sits on North College Avenue in Old Town Fort Collins, part of Dave Query's Big Red F Restaurant Group. The Jax name has been bringing fresh, sustainable seafood to landlocked Colorado since 1994, and executive chef Sheila Lucero leads the kitchens.
Sustainability is core to the operation: Jax restaurants were among the first in Colorado certified by the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch, and the kitchen tracks its sourcing through Fort Collins-based FishChoice.
The Kitchen
The raw bar anchors everything — a rotating selection of oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp and handcrafted cocktails. From the kitchen, the dishes to know are the grilled Hawaiian Mahi Mahi with creamy polenta and fried brussels sprouts, herb-seared New England sea scallops with mushroom risotto, and a blue crab cacio e pepe. The menu shifts seasonally around what is landing fresh.
The Room
The room is lively and convivial, anchored by the oyster bar, with an award-winning wine list and local craft beer on tap. Happy hour — including all-night oyster and shrimp deals on certain nights — keeps it busy and energetic rather than hushed.
Best for First Date
The buzzy oyster bar makes this a fun, low-pressure first date — share a dozen and a cocktail. The quality and Old Town location also make it a dependable business lunch or a relaxed team dinner.
Not for
Not for a quiet, formal special-occasion dinner or anyone who dislikes a busy, sociable room. The energy and happy-hour crowd are part of the appeal — book somewhere calmer if you need hushed intimacy.
Frequently Asked
Who runs Jax Fish House?
It is part of Dave Query's Big Red F Restaurant Group, with executive chef Sheila Lucero overseeing the kitchens. The Jax brand dates to 1994.
Is the seafood sustainable?
Yes — Jax restaurants were among the first in Colorado certified by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch and track sourcing through FishChoice.
What should I order?
Start at the raw bar with oysters, then the grilled Hawaiian Mahi Mahi or the seared sea scallops with mushroom risotto. The menu rotates seasonally.
Is there a happy hour?
Yes, with daily deals including all-night oyster and peel-and-eat shrimp specials on certain nights.
Where is it?
123 N College Avenue, in Old Town Fort Collins, Colorado.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar
Reservations recommended; raw bar takes walk-ins.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address123 N College Ave, Fort Collins
NeighbourhoodOld Town
CuisineSeafood / Oyster bar
PriceEntrées roughly $26–$42; oysters market price
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingDining room + oyster bar
ReservationRecommended
