Me and my family will be in the Colorado Springs/Denver area in mid June for a week. While we are there I would like to get together with some old friends for dinner and drinks. Any recommendations for a good casual restaurant we can all meet at?

Thanks

In Colorado Springs, Hacienda Colorado, in University Village, is a pretty decent place for Colorado style Mexican food. You can sit outside upstairs and enjoy a view of Pikes Peak. The margaritas are good too, from what I’m told. Get there early for dinner if possible, to beat the crowd.

http://haciendacolorado.com/lo...ns/colorado-springs/

We also like Marigold’s Cafe on Centennial, near Garden of the Gods Rd, for lunch. It’s a bit more formal than it sounds like you want for dinner.

One of my favorite places in Denver, the Chop House:

https://www.denverchophouse.com

Followed by drinks and laughs at Sing Sings:

No website, it appears to have closed

If in the Springs, a place recommended by members here, is the Airplane Restaurant:

http://theairplanerestaurant.com

Pretty neat place, food is good, not really upscale, but it's the atmosphere you go for.

Do not fall for the Casa Bonita trap.

quote:

Originally posted by bigpond73:

If in the Springs, a place recommended by members here, is the Airplane Restaurant:

http://theairplanerestaurant.com

Pretty neat place, food is good, not really upscale, but it's the atmosphere you go for.

I LOVE the Airplane Restaurant. It is built around a Boeing KC-97 refueling plane (the aircraft was essentially heavily modified from a B-50 bomber, which itself was modified from the B-29, but with turboprop engines). Don't sit inside the aircraft, as you can't see anything. Instead, IMO, the best seats are in the restaurant area itself, where you can see the plane. There are also walls full of photos, prints, memorabilia, etc (many of them autographed), and the ceilings are hanging with aircraft stuff.

These are all in Co Springs:

If you want a good steakhouse experience, try Tucanos. It's off Powers and Carefree on the east side. It's an all-you-can eat Brazilian steakhouse (where they bring the steak to your table and give you a couple bites at a time).

Up by the Air Force Academy is Costa Vida (off North Gate Blvd by the Bass Pro Shop). It's like Chipotle (made to order burritos, nachos, etc), but 3 times as good. They make their own tortillas there.

Towards the south side is Edelweiss, an authentic German restaurant. Last couple times I ate there, it felt like I was back in Germany. Really good stuff.

Viewhouse? We ate at the Centennial location a few years back. I know they opened up a location in Co Springs since then. Food was good as was atmosphere.

I like J. Alexander's or Redlands on the south side of Denver. I order the New York Strip with Mac and Cheese. Seriously that Mac and Cheese is phenomenal. FYI it averages about 40 bucks a plate. Just look for the IKEA and its just south of that right next to I-25. If Colorado Springs and you like German food can't recommend Edelweiss enough.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: goose5,

quote:

Originally posted by Wishbone:
Do not fall for the Casa Bonita trap.

Seriously, they have (had?) the best sopapillas I've ever had. the rest of the food can be classified as junior high school cafeteria Mexican though. But really, you don't go there for the food.

ETA:

Hacienda Colorado is good.

Also, look at Tocabe (https://www.tocabe.com/) - native American food. They only had the north Denver location when I went several years ago, but there's a Greenwood Village location now, which may speak to how good it is. Trust me - try the Indian Taco.

On the Casa Bonita question. I heard they had closed, but some locals put up some money to preserve it. Not sure if that has happened yet. Its pretty much common knowledge you don't go there for the food. You go there for the ambience.

If you’re into a little front range history SF suggested the Buckhorn Exchange in Denver a few years ago and it was worth the trip.

https://www.buckhorn.com/

For the Springs, you can't go wrong in Old Colorado City. There's Front Range BBQ, Paravicini's, Cucuru, Unchenna, and a whole host of other incredible independent restaurants that are so much better than the chains.

Actually there’s also a fairly good Texas bbq place just off Hwy 24 going into the mountains, called Rudy’s BBQ.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Re...County_Colorado.html

We prefer it to FrontRange BBQ and Bird Dog BBQ.

When I went to ride my motorcycle up Pike's Peak we had a Hell of a storm that I dubbed "Hailnado" (so named due to the tornado warning and the most hail I've ever seen). I was staying at the Eagle Motel in Manitou Springs and the whole town was pretty much shut down due to mud slides. By the time enough of the streets were cleared enough to find a circuitous route to ride it was pretty late. I hadn't eaten dinner and went in search of any place that was still serving. The only place I could find that I was interested in eating at AND was still serving was Alchemy Pub. It turned out to be a great find as I had a great time. The folks working there were awesome and fun and the food was phenomenal.

quote:

Originally posted by bigpond73:

Followed by drinks and laughs at Sing Sings:

No website, it appears to have closed

Sing Sings is now Howl at the Moon. Currently closed, looking to reopen soon as Denver is reopening following Covid:

https://www.howlatthemoon.com/denver/

quote:

Originally posted by scratchy:
Sing Sings is now Howl at the Moon. Currently closed, looking to reopen soon as Denver is reopening following Covid:

https://www.howlatthemoon.com/denver/

Great to know, thanks!

Had a great dinner at the Fort...

https://thefort.com/

I usually just eat at Rudy's if I'm down in the Springs.

My work used to send me to Colorado Springs office once or twice a year.

I really liked Old Chicago Pizza in the Springs. Great food, pizza and beers were always good.

In Denver work sent us to the Convention Center so I liked to eat at the restaurants walking distance from the Hyatt Regency.
I really like 5280 burger bar for a solid burger and brew.

I second the motion for Buckhorn Exchange in Denver. It has lots of stuffed animals on the walls and old west guns in display cabinets to look at. It is also unique in that it has Colorado liquor license #1. Just be sure you have reservations as it is very popular. Lots of wild game on the menu. Go there every chance I get when visiting.