Hello from Colorado!
Ben and I arrived in the mile high city at cough 6:15am local time on Tuesday morning. Our 5:50am takeoff in Iowa was bah-rutal, but it was nice to have the entire day ahead of us to spend in Denver.
We’re staying with my little brother while we’re here, who has a KILLER view of the city from his apartment. Check out the 180+ degree view of downtown and the mountains from his balcony! (Click to see it bigger!)
Unfortunately he has to work all week, but hooked us up with his car while we’re in town, so after we dropped off our bags at the apartment, we headed out to breakfast at Sam’s No. 3 in downtown Denver.
Not only was Sam’s featured on The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, but Ben ate here when he was in town last year, and couldn’t wait to get back. Between the two recommendations, I was pretty pumped to eat. :)
The inside of Sam’s is kind of funky diner-esque, really bright and colorful, and BUSY. Holy cow, the waitresses and wait staff were hauling the entire time we were there. Workin’ hard for the money, honey!
While we (well, I – Ben already knew what he was getting!) perused the menu, we sipped on big mugs of hot and strong coffee. It was only 8am Denver time, but we had already been up for 6+ hours. Zzzz…
Breakfast Quesadillas with Sam’s Kickin’ Green Chili – UP!
What can I say, the description of a hot quesadilla stuffed with eggs, bacon and cheese, served with a side of green chili, and smashed home fries just sounded too good to pass up. :)
The CHEESE in this baby was like, melt in your mouth smooth, and the bacon was salty and decadent.
But the chili! Sam’s green chili is the best chili I’ve ever had. It was slightly spicy, super savory, and ugh, just dynamite. So glad I got it!
Clearly…
Ben got a Colorado Burrito which isn’t on the menu, but my brother let him in on the dish when he and my Dad were visiting last summer, and he fell in love.
Eggs, cheese, and bison meat stuffed between tortillas, smothered in the green chili, and topped with an avocado. He hated it. ;) Get to Sam’s!
The early morning, and our full stomachs, caught up with us after breakfast, so we headed back to the apartment shortly after for a nap, but rallied later that afternoon for beer tasting at the Great Divide Tap Room.
The Great Divide Tap Room is no frills, kind of industrial-esque, but really, really cool. I liked how the focus was on the beer, you know?
Ben and I had wanted to go during our last visit to Denver, then someone suggested it on Twitter, and we were pretty thirsty, so off we went. :)
The Tap Room has 16 beers on tap, and you could buy pretty decent sized tastes for $1. Sweet!
I started off by tasting a glass of Hades – a mild, slightly sweet Belgian-style ale, Samurai – another mild, really clean tasting, unfiltered rice beer, and Wild Raspberry Ale – a not-too-sweet fruity ale. AWESOME!
I choose the Wild Raspberry Ale to have in a regular pour, x1,000.
Tap room fun!
My brother came and met us for a couple beers after he got off work. So good to see the boy! He’s barely two years younger, but he’ll always be my “little” bro to me. Can’t even believe he’s old enough to have a career, life, etc. – you know what I mean! :)
I’m terrible and didn’t take any pictures, but I wanted to let all of you who suggested know that later that night Ben and I went to Linger for dinner!
It was the COOLEST!
Unmatched views of downtown Denver from their rooftop patio, and the food was aweeeeesome. Get the Duck Buns if you go, mmkay?
We went with Ben’s cousin and his fiancee, and had the best time ever.
Don’t miss the light brite bar inside if you go!
Lest you think all we’re doing out here is eating and drinking beer, we’ve spent the past day and a half in the great outdoors, which I can’t wait to tell you about. Colorado is seriously one of the most beautiful places on the planet!
In the meantime though, I’m off to drink margaritas (…) with my cousin whom I haven’t seen in 15+ years, and my brother’s girlfriend whom I have yet to meet – whee!
Toodles! :D
You look like you’re having a great time! I’ve never been to Denver, but my best friend lived there for 2 years and LOVED it. Plus my company has an office out there – so maybe someday I’ll get to make a “business” trip :D
Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Just tried to leave a comment…looks like it didn’t go through though. Sorry if my two cents does end up on here twice, but I can’t let you leave Denver without eating the best cake on earth. Go to The Market at Larimer Square and get a slice (or six) of the Spring Fling cake. I visited Denver from Boston last August and I still can’t stop thinking (ok, fantasizing…whatever) about that cake. You won’t want to go back to Iowa!
Oh I do love a good beer tasting and rooftop patios?! Absolutely brilliant! Colorado looks like a beautiful spot to visit! It’s on my list.
I still don’t get how you eat all this food, and maintain your good looks! :)
I have been wondering the same thing about maintaining her cute figure. Just not fair!
What a fun trip! You are really making me want to fly out and spend some time with my brother in Denver (Who happens to be really good buds with your brother…all the way back to their high school days and now in Denver :) I can’t believe they are “all grown up” I still remember talking with your brother at Matt’s high school graduation party!! Ugh…I’m old! Hope the meeting of the girlfriend goes well! From what I hear, she is awesome! :)
Looks fun. I am amazed at how often you two get to take off work and travel.
LITE BRITE BAR!!!
Ok, is your brother single? If he’s not, those ladies be CRAZY! He’s hot stuff….
I’m married…bummer
The food pics made me starving (I ate supper 1 1/2 hours ago).
Aw so fun! I was just talking about Colorado the other day and how it is one place I’ve never been but have always wanted to. Have a blast girl!
We were just there. Sam’s on 3rd is amazing. I was also a huge fan of the chili. Loved the view at Linger. We did Osteria Marco and Root Down – both excellent. Enjoy your trip.
Hey–I’m from Ames but now live in Boulder. Glad you are enjoying our fair state! (I love IA too, just in a different way.) You’ll run into a lot of Iowans here–we’re usually the ones who wave at you on the street and talk to you in lines. The ones who don’t? Californians. ;) Kidding of course. Enjoy your time here. So much to do, so much to eat, so little time!
Omg. That burrito. Yum.
The fact that a lite-brite bar exists blows my mind. That is too awesome.
Loved how flying over Iowa looks a green quilt and yay for good eats and good beer!!! (New follower, first time commenter if you’re wondering. :) ) Have fun and enjoy your travels!!!
can’t WAIT to see more pics!! i’m going to denver in a few weeks, also staying downtown. all my girlfriends from high school are getting together to meet up with one that’s a teacher in denver :D
cheers!