A Castle Rock, Colorado restaurant serves free dinner every Sunday, and it’s breaking records

For years, Mary Grothe’s Sunday tradition was simple. She cooked salmon and vegetables and invited friends and family over to eat. Then she decided to set a much bigger table. “I love feeding people, and I had a vision one day to simply extend the table,” she said. That idea became Sunday Salmon, a Castle Rock restaurant where dinner is always free for anyone who walks in.

Sunday Salmon opened in January 2025 at 207 W. Wolfensberger Road and served nearly 20,000 meals in its first year. It’s on track to double that in 2026. Every Sunday there are two seatings, at 5 and 6 p.m. Dinner is served family-style at big community tables that seat 10 to 12 people, so you’ll probably be passing the sweet potatoes to someone you just met. Guests choose salmon or chicken. Everything is organic and gluten-free, and kids can get a bowl of pasta if they’d rather skip the fish.

The crowds keep growing. “We’ve been breaking records consistently on Sunday nights,” Grothe said. “A couple of times now we’ve had to bust out the folding table and chairs to make room for people who are walking in.” She said many people are surprised by how many neighbors need the meals. “People think Castle Rock is just full of affluent people. The need here is so hidden.”

Grothe is so committed to keeping the doors open that her own paycheck goes straight into the Sunday Salmon bank account. Now the nonprofit is asking the community to help carry the load. You can donate, volunteer or reserve a seat at sundaysalmon.com, or call or text 720-409-1950. Reservations are encouraged, but a few walk-ins are welcome each hour. Dinner is free, and whatever you give is up to you.