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
alexandra @ sweet betweens [blog] 07.13.2012
Love these pictures! Denver + Boulder are some of The Husband + I’s favorite places to visit [tied second only to Seattle + PDX which are tied for 1st!] so I loved this little trip down memory lane.
I recently saw Linger on a Cooking Channel episode of Unique Eats and can’t get it out of my mind. That lite brite bar is hysterical!
Love your blog – been following a while now and just wanted to come out of the shadows and say hi + I’m looking forward to the rest of your trip recap!
alexandra
Alysha @Shesontherun 07.13.2012
Go Hurricanes!
Erin @ erinberries 07.13.2012
Looks like you had so much fun! Makes me want to visit Denver! :)
Sarah 07.13.2012
Go to Snooze for breakfast! There are two in Denver and they are fabulous! They have several different benedicts, crazy pancake flavors, incredibly huevos rancheros, and an epicly long list of mimosas and bloody marys. It’s incredible! Also, if you choose to order benedicts, they’ll let you split your order so you can have 2 kinds! Wonderful retro decor and a must while you’re in Colorado!
Iowa Girl Eats 07.13.2012
We went a few visits ago and it seeeeeriously still ranks as #1 best breakfast I’ve ever had!
Villy @ For the love of Feeding 07.13.2012
I want your breakfast to be my dinner!
Plus I love what you are wearing in the last photo! Very cute!
Kaelin 07.13.2012
Oh I am sooo jealous of your trip to CO. I absolutely fell in love with that state last year on our summer trip to Manitou Springs (Pike’s Peak). My husband had to drag me home and I have been pleading desperately to get back to the mountains. Enjoy your visit!!!
Emily 07.13.2012
This looks like a fabulous start to an amazing trip! It makes me want to visit Denver myself! :) The diner looks kick butt too! Enjoy!
Kim @ Wonderings 07.13.2012
Looks like you are having a blast in Denver! I live in the area and have never been to Sams #3. Totally putting it on my list! Thanks for the tip. (BTW, I am also originally from IA)
Michelle @ Brown Eyed Baker 07.13.2012
Awesome photos! It looks like you’re having a great trip!
Melissa 07.13.2012
Colorado is gorgeous I agree! We went to a beer dinner in Omaha that was put on by the Great Divide. Loved their beers! Have an amazing time.
Linda 07.13.2012
Live in Fort Collins and love it! Denver has many fine restaurants including the Vespa Dipping Grill try it for dinner. Hamburger for lunch, the Cherry Cricket, also featured on the Food Channel. The Botanical Gardens in Denver is definitely worth a visit. Your brother would be in the know as he is a Denverite now. Enjoy your stay in my state. Love your blog!
Iowa Girl Eats 07.13.2012
We try and go to the Cherry Cricket every time we come to Denver – it’s Ben’s and my FAVORITE! :D
Stephanie @ LoveLaughterLight 08.14.2012
I love the Cherry Cricket! I always get their burger with jalapeno cream cheese!
Lauren T 07.13.2012
Looks like you’re having an awesome trip! I looovvee CO in the summertime! So beautiful and lots of cool, trendy places to eat, hang out, etc.! Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip!
Mary R 07.13.2012
Girl! You really, really, really need to get us that recipe for the green chili! Iowa does NOT understand real Colorado green chili! I miss it sooooo much! (Actually had some flown in with a friend once)! Pretty please?
Alison 07.13.2012
OH- By the way,, I’m from Des Moines and it’s raining here right now, so that’s exciting! Just a little update for you on what’s going on at home!
Iowa Girl Eats 07.13.2012
Thank goodness – our yard and garden were begging for it!
MOM 07.13.2012
JUST watered your garden….and then it rained:/
Alison 07.13.2012
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. :)
Iowa Girl Eats 07.13.2012
Thanks! It was like, $3 from Forever 21!
Sarah O. 07.13.2012
Denver looks like so much fun! P.S. I love your striped tank!
Emiles 07.13.2012
****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! :)
Maegan 07.13.2012
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!
Iowa Girl Eats 07.13.2012
AWESOME!!! Totally making it when we get home!
Marcie 07.13.2012
Great photos. enjoyed post.
Kiki 07.13.2012
Your brother is SO handsome! Your breakfast made my mouth water. Have fun!