Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar

Dave Query has always had a passion for food. He worked in restaurants throughout high school and beyond, hustling his way through different kitchens. In his early 20s, he traveled down to New Orleans to check out the thriving food scene. It was there he tasted his first oyster - and he immediately knew that he had to find a way to bring oysters to Boulder!

He began researching the seafood industry, and after owning Q’s in the Hotel Boulderado, he finally made his dreams come true with the opening of Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar on Pearl Street in 1994. This was the first of his restaurants that would become what is now known as the Big Red F Restaurant Group (later joined by West End Tavern, Centro Mexican Kitchen and The Post Chicken and Beer). 

“Jax Fish House is a restaurant that pre-dates so much of the restaurant culture in Boulder. It brought oysters to the mountains and the coast to the coastless. Jax was the first fully sustainable seafood restaurant in the state of Colorado, which is an incredible feat,”  said Fabio Stefani, General Manager. “Our head chef has lobbied before Congress for more sustainable fishing practices and less water pollution. So not only has Jax been such a pivotal restaurant for the community of Boulder, but it has also continuously worked to better the larger environment.”

Fabio moved to Boulder in 2020 from San Francisco. “My grandparents opened a cafe in San Francisco 50 years ago, and I grew up working there with my mom and family. I have a deep understanding and appreciation for the restaurant industry. I owned my own restaurant for ten years before moving, and the next chapter in my family’s life brought us to Boulder. Pearl Street is the best type of commercial real estate and greatest gathering spot in the whole state - people love being here and love walking downtown.”

If you’re a fan of seafood (and want to support a sustainable option), dine in at Jax. “We want people to come in and have a great time and smile and eat good food. Be adventurous and try new things! One of the many unique aspects of Jax is that the energy inside the restaurant is contagious. We don’t hide from who we are, and we pride ourselves on a staff that infuses their own personality into the dining experience. The love within our brick walls is super strong.”

The adventure of trying raw oysters shouldn’t be wondering where the food comes from, though. Jax Fish House works with Rappahannock River Oysters (RRO) in Virginia to develop their signature Emersum Oyster. RRO started in the Chesapeake Bay in 1899, and the two cousins running the business today are committed to sustainable practices. So for every Emersum grown, dozens of wild oysters are seeded, improving the overall ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay. And to top it off? Emersum oysters are mouth-wateringly delicious!

For the latest updates on food specials and for mouth watering photos, follow Jax on social media (@jaxfishhouse). And the next time you are looking to celebrate a special occasion or have an adventurous night out and try something new, head to Jax Fish House! The chances are high Fabio will be there to greet you with high energy, a warm smile and a plate full of oysters.