Category: 0 Colorado

Showboat's Drive By Pie in Colorado

9/19/2019

Pie Time in Granby, CO

There's not a whole lot to do in the little town of Granby. But you can eat pie!

In fact you don't even have to get out of your car, to buy and eat your pie!

Reaching Granby

First we had to get to Granby.

With Denver traffic, it took 2 hours to reach the town that sits right on US Highway 80. We sailed right past the Trail Riders Motel, which was in fact our destination. We had to reach Showboat's before it closed at 5:30.

Signs

It should have been easy. Granby is small. There are only about 1,500 people in town.

There were even little signs that pointed us in the right direction.

We still got a little lost.

Down the Alley

The little white building with red trim, was just .1 miles from our motel, but we drove right by it. We went around the block and then realized we needed to go down the Alley.

The Green Window

There were no other cars, so we hoped they hadn't closed early. I spotted a list of pie choices and a bell, beside the green order window. We didn't get to clang the bell, since Sherry was at the ready.

Sherry greeted us with a "Happy Summer!" We glanced at the pie menu and decided we probably didn't need a whole pie for 28 to 45 dollars. Luckily we didn't want cream pie. "All Cream Pies - $500" I guess Sherry doesn't make cream pies.

Sherry chatted up a storm as she readied our 2 slices for $10.00. She asked if we'd be needing any raisin bread. She offered some dining suggestions for Granby. She told us about her catering work and how she works for some very famous people.

I was a little surprised that Sherry suddenly became shy when I asked to take her picture as she handed the pie through the window.

"No, but thanks for asking." she said. "I'll let someone else enjoy my 15 minutes of fame."

Evening Pie in the Motel

I have no photos of Sherry, the Famous Pie Maker of Granby.

But I do have photos of her slices of Killer Apple and Wild Maine Blueberry, before we ate them in our room. They were good, but they would have been better if we'd warmed them in an oven and served them on vintage china. Or maybe if we'd eaten them on a pie picnic! A drive-by pie experience needs to be completed in a festive way! I'll think that through, before our next visit.

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Whistle Stop Cafe in Georgetown, CO

9/8/2019

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Whistle Stop Reunion

It's time for a throw-back write-up, about a very fun breakfast... in June of 2017.

This is my friend, Martha popping out of the Whistle Stop Cafe.

I wonder if Martha knocked over a chair or made some commotion, as she rushed to greet us.

There seem to be a few diners looking out the window, eager to see what's going on.

After Breakfast

I have no photos of the 4 of us meeting and greeting, inside. We were too busy for photo ops. I do remember our voices were very loud, for the quiet diner!

Don took this photo of me posing with Martha her hubby, Bill. We were feeling happy and stuffed after our breakfast. Martha and I hadn't seen each other since college, (38 years!) so there was lots of catching up.

Don and Bill

Over lunch, Martha had me laughing hard... just as I had expected. We hadn't seen each other since 1979, but we needed no warming up.

An added treat was finding out how easily our Long, Tall Texan Husbands got along. Don and I both had fun talking about Bill's hometown, Mineral Wells. I'm not sure that we took a moment to admire the cafe's fine sign, or those nearby mountains!

Inside the Cafe

I wish I'd taken at least one other photo, but we were too busy gabbing. This does not begin to capture an ounce of the fun we had. I loved hearing the story of how Martha and Bill met... or Martha's tales of NY theatre after college...

Food

It's always easy to photograph your food. So I did. The platter of poached eggs and biscuits with gravy, looks as crazy as I remember.

There must have been a half dozen eggs in that omelet. I do remember the chopped and fried potatoes! Very yummy!

Post Breakfast

After we ate, we were off to explore the town of Georgetown. We toured the old Hotel de Paris, which was an impressive museum. Then we made a stop at a colorful, sweet shop.

Ice Cream and Candy

We relaxed with some ice cream and left with our candy purchase! Candy necklaces and candy cigarettes! What a perfect way to end our reunion!

Continuous Reunion

Our reunion actually continued the next week, when we met up at The Brown Hotel in Denver. Martinis, appetizers and a tiny bit of dancing. No candy cigarettes.

June 2019

This past June, we 4 met up in Idaho Springs, Colorado. We "took the waters" at Indian Springs Resort, then shared a hearty breakfast at Marion's of the Rockies. Once again, I failed to capture much of our dining with photos, but the memories are good!

Yay for dining reunions, with good people! Thanks, Martha and Bill!

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Niky's for Mini Donuts!

6/4/2019

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Crested Butte, Colorado

While roaming around Crested Butte, my eyes were drawn to this bright little sign.

My nose was also pretty excited about the smells that came through the screen door, below the sign.

Historic Mountain Town

Don and I had been wandering down Elk Avenue, when we discovered the little red building that held the donut and ice cream shop. Niky's was as colorful as all the beautiful buildings we'd been admiring. The old western storefronts were great reminders of Crested Butte's coal and silver mining days.

Back to the Fifties

When we stepped inside Niky's, it felt like we'd gone back to a totally different era. Instead of the 1860's, it looked and felt like the 1950's.

Nostalgia

There were cheery displays of vintage goodies everywhere. A lunch box and jack-in-the-box, record albums and a Howdy Doody marionette...

A carousel of Coke bottles, made an interesting light fixture... but they should have used smaller, vintage bottles.

Mini Mini Mini!

It was the word "mini" that sealed the deal for me.

I love the idea of a miniature splurge! How could a mini-feast of any kind be harmful? Give me a tiny popsicle or a teeny milkshake. If it's miniature, it must taste better too!

Plus I just happen to be a big fan of miniatures... period.

So Many Options

The young woman behind the counter was very enthused about the offerings. She said the mini cake donuts were made continuously throughout the day. "We personalize each donut for you." She added.

There were 24 different toppings to choose from, with names like "Cotton Candy Crunch" and "Sopapilla" and "Nerd".

Made To Order

We could have bought a 36-pack of minis for 46 dollars. But Don and I only had a mini appetite that morning. We bought the smallest order, a 2-pack. Our donut decorator place our tiny cake donuts in a paper dish and went to work. Those little mini treats didn't look so tiny when she handed them to us.

Death by Chocolate and Cinnamon Roll

We took our sweet feast outside, to a bench in the sunshine. The chocolate donut was totally hidden under moist, mini choco-chips and frosting. The cream cheese frosting on the cinnamon sprinkled treat, was almost too sweet to eat... but I managed.

Too Fun!

I learned a little something as I worked away at these tiny (yet mighty) treats. The heavily decorated, mini donuts were as sinful as any regular donuts. I was in sugar shock, even with Don's help.

Love the idea! Love the setting! Love the mini-food-adventure!

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Golden Burro Cafe and Lounge in CO

4/12/2019

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Lunch in Leadville!

Leadville is known for being the highest incorporated town in the United States. 10,152 feet is pretty high!

But I will always associate the once booming mining town, with the Golden Burro Cafe. The first time I laid eyes on the cafe/bar was when traveling with my sister in 1977. I've spotted it on a few other trips, while passing through.

Two years ago, Don and I finally stopped for lunch!

Yellow and Blue

The colorful building looked just the way I remembered it!

When it was built in 1888, there was no adorable burro sign, or yellow and blue paint. The structure housed a bakery, hardware store and music store, until the 1930's, when Roy Pray opened his business. By the late '30's, "Ray's Lunch" suddenly became "Golden Burrow Cocktail Lounge", open 24/7. At that time, the nearby mines kept 19 brothels in operation. There was a constant flow of hungry and thirsty customers day and night, at Golden Burro!

Diner

In June 2017, Don and I expected to see plenty of tourists when we stepped inside. But the middle room, felt much more like the local diner.

Lots to Read

There was lots to look at and read, while we waited for a table to open up. The sign catering to bicycle friends, was a reminder that "tourists" come in big groups. We were glad to be sharing the cafe with the "Rocky Mountain Billy Goat" and locals... not mobs of travelers.

A Real Burro

This old photo was one of my favorites. I have always adored burros... which I used to call donkeys, until I moved to Texas. I guess that's because I grew up east of the Mississippi River. Is that a real thing?

Neon Burro

This is the booth I really had hoped for. It was right beside the mirror and yellow glass. I was very amused by all the donkey treasures, especially the old neon sign. I think that was originally on the outside of the building.

Dining Counter

The room to the right of the entrance had a dining counter that looked pretty retro. I believe the back bar was part of the original business, when they were serving those cocktails round the clock.

More Burros

The woman behind the counter looked a little busy as she cleaned. I decided not to ask her if she'd ever counted all the burros in the cafe and bar. I liked the larger one in the center, best.

Dave in the Brass Ass Saloon

For 50 years the Golden Burro was nicknamed the Brass Ass by locals. Now the name is used for the saloon section of the business. I lucked out and got to meet owner, Dave Wright. He and his wife saved the run down Golden Burro, when they purchased about 15 years ago.

The Back Room

Dave showed me the back section of the saloon. There were vintage costumes for photo shoots and lots of tables for playing poker. He said I could learn to play Faro too... whatever that is?

Dave told me he'd moved to Leadville over 30 years ago. He said The Burro became so run down, the locals wouldn't even eat there. He worried about selling it someday. "They'll probably just tear it down and build a condos." He was a good spirited guy, but concerned that so few care about history anymore.

Time to Dine

When we were finally seated, I had a good time with the menu. There were a lot of photos and bits of history throughout the menu Luckily the cover image, of a Leadville hanging in 1886, didn't ruin my appetite.

I ordered the "Burro-ito" because I was embracing the burro theme! It was huge and tasty and way more than I could eat.

Feasting

Don ordered the Meatloaf Dinner, "Just like Mom used to make." It came with dark gravy and a twice baked potato. The medley of broccoli and cauliflower had a decent cheese sauce and it all started with a cup of bean soup! Pretty good for a small town cafe where miners used to hang out!

No Doggy Bags For Us

We could barely make a dent in our meals. We tried to convince our server Holly that we did indeed enjoy our meal... we were traveling and could not take leftovers. She apologized again for our wait and we assured her we'd enjoyed ourselves while we wandered around.

As we headed to the car I looked up that sweet burro one more time. Darn, I wish it had been closer to evening. I would love to see that sign lit at night.

Another time!

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K's Dairy Delite in Buena Vista, CO

2/18/2019

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Fast Food in Colorado

I'm doing a little throwback blogging today. It's been over 2 years since Don and I drove through Buena Vista and spotted this neon sign.

It's a chilly February day today and I'm dreaming of that yummy summertime lunch.

Since 1955

This cute little roadside joint has been sitting here, since before I was born. (barely) Originally it was named Goldbrick and Jerry's Fountain Goodies. A woman named Kay, bought the place in 1968. New owners in 2000, kept the name.

Windows

We placed our order at the walk up window. They didn't ask for a name. They just gave us a name and that amused me very much.

Next, we walked past the decorated windows, to the side door. Inside, I looked around while waiting to hear my new name being announced.

Tiny Space

There was a tiny eating area, with some wall amusements. There were colorful shapes on the wall, with words of wisdom. "One who runs behind a car gets exhausted." There was also a "Dot Your Spot" map.

Shadow Boxes

A few displays on the wall needed a little help. This one included some buttons, a building block and an empty bottle of garlic seasoning... carefully displayed behind a sheet of plastic. I could have made a few display contributions, if I'd cleaned a drawer or two before our trip.

Meryl Streep!

It was exciting for a split second to think my favorite actress was waiting on her order. But when Meryl Streep was called to pick up her order, she was a man.

While I waited on our order, I made a quick dash to the teeny tiny restroom, between the half-door and the kitchen. Not only was the cute little room, the size of an airplane restroom... it even had the handy little "occupied/vacant" announcement above the doorknob!

Order Ready For Ariel The Mermaid!

Our order was ready and our special name was called. If it hadn't been so busy, I would have asked as few questions.
Who came up with this playful plan for calling out orders? Do you ever have a customer who complains about the given name? Do you have customers who don't hear their name being called, because they forgot their new name? Is there a system for this name given or is it random?

There was no time for questions. We just grabbed our bag and lots of napkins and headed to one of the picnic tables at the nearby park.

Yum

Don's sloppy cheeseburger was yummy enough to remind us of Steak-N-Shake burgers back home. My chili cheese dog was equally messy and unhealthy and tasty. The huge cup of fries was piping hot and enough to share.

All good and worth waiting for.

Between Mountains and River

We will remember our K's lunch for a few reasons. Our fast food feast was yummy. The little building with neon sign, was fun. We had a mountain view from our table. We ate our K's food, in a park with a river and "snowing" cottonwood trees. Memorable!

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Showboat's Drive By Pie in Colorado

Whistle Stop Cafe in Georgetown, CO

Niky's for Mini Donuts!

Golden Burro Cafe and Lounge in CO

K's Dairy Delite in Buena Vista, CO

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