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
I recently just found your website and I’m officially ADDICTED.
A trip to Colorado is in my future and I’m excited since I’ve never been there and I can use this post as a reference for places to visit! Thanks!
Looks like you’re having a great time!
Also, where in the world did you get your leaf necklace. It’s absolutely lovely and I might want to copy you. :)
Thanks! It was like, $3 from Forever 21!
Denver looks like so much fun! P.S. I love your striped tank!
****sigh Colorado green chile/chili! Why doesn’t it exist out here? My native Coloradoan husband always is sure we stop at the Brewery Bar to get some…so give it a shot if you have time! :)
Denver is definitely on my list of future of vacation destinations! And did you know that the recipe for Sam’s No. 3 green chili is on foodnetwork.com? After I sat on the couch and drooled while watching the Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives episode that featured it, I immediately jumped on Google to find a similar recipe and ended up finding THE recipe instead. Score! It was delicious!
AWESOME!!! Totally making it when we get home!
Great photos. enjoyed post.
Your brother is SO handsome! Your breakfast made my mouth water. Have fun!
Used to live out there (now back in Iowa). Oh, how I dearly miss that green chili sauce. Why can’t you find that in more states?? Colorado was the mecca.
Mmmmm…..green chili sauce…..
Sounds like you have a great relatonship with your bro and similer to mine. We also get along great and he is just barley 2 years younger so I know what you mean by ‘hard to believe he is and adult…”
What a fun stop at a triple D diner we love trying them out and atempt to find one everywhere we travel.
Early flights suck- but they are good in that you get the rest of the day to explore your new destination. Looks like your having a blast! Very jealous haha. Ps. Awesome looking bar.
Holy burrito!!! That looks unreal! The raspberry beer sounds awesome too! Have a great time and thank you for the guest post yesterday! LOVED IT!
So glad you’re enjoying my city!! You’ve already hit up some great places. Sams and Linger are two of my faves. I’ll be looking forward to hearing about your mountain travels. I’ve lived here almost all my life and I feel like I still haven’t seen all the beauty CO has to offer.
If you’re back in Denver there’s plenty of amazing restaurants to check out. I love Osteria Marco and Euclid Hall. Tomayo is awesome too (those are all within a block or two on Larimer Square). Snooze has awesome breakfast too if you can get in.
Try and grab a beer at Denver Beer Company, good beers and fun tap toom. Happy Cakes for a cupcake is a good option, Martha even loves them! They have a dirt cake cupcake on Saturday’s. Yes dirt cake, it’s amazing.
Looks like such a fun trip so far!! I’ve only been to Colorado in the winter to ski but would absolutely love to check it out in the summer. PS- I love your necklace in the last photo…. where is it from?!?
Thanks! I *think* Forever 21 (it’s where I get most of my jewelry – so inexpensive and cute!)