OUT AND ABOUT

Been a busy two weeks, so let me catch you up on some of my wanderings.

Enjoyed a wonderful, sold out Inauguration Party January 20th at the Viewhouse Centennial for President Donald J. Trump. Happy people, lots of photos, food food.

Took a wonderful day trip to Hudson, Colorado. Enjoyed a fabulous, HUGE plate of Dave’s Biscuits & Gravy at the Pepper Pod. Been around since 1913. Owned and operated since 1977 by Dave and Beth Martin with their Hyde Park culinary school graduate daughter, Amy Jackson, heading up the kitchen. Breakfast, lunch, dinner 6 days a week (closed Tuesday). Next visit I plan to enjoy the Junk Burger (their name for it) or the pork chops.

Also in Hudson, a listener suggested I get a pizza from Ben’s. Very enjoyable. Different types of pepperoni to choose from. I got the “baby” pepperonis, Usually hard to find.
Headed up to Masonville to visit the old mercantile store. Being renovated with hopes to open sometime early Spring. Nice drive. Finished by relaxing at Horsetooth Reservoir.

Local owner of eight IHOP restaurants invited me by to meet, chat, possibly work together on a Saturday night Meal Deal. Check the website calendar to see if, when, we get it scheduled. Also, they have convinced me that their pancakes really are THAT good.

Reading – I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes. Had him on the air with his more recent book, Year of the Locust. Loved it, loving I Am Pilgrim. Both long, but worth it.

Finally got by Hammond’s Deli in Old Colorado City. Great pastrami sandwich, their signature sandwich. Big, thick, lots of meat. Not inexpensive, but very good.

Mid afternoon, HEALTHY snack – Yeah, I like some junk food pick me up middle afternoon, but a friend turned me on to healthy RXBars. Variety of flavors, about six different offerings. Maybe three egg whites, cashews or peanuts, maybe dates, more, all blended together in a bar. Found at Natural Grocers in the energy bar section. About $2.69 each.

Please check out the Overtime podcast on my website Home Page. Spent an hour with Steve Shaw, owner of the Black-eyed Pea Restaurants, discussing how to own a restaurant. Not a lecture, just a couple of guys talking about how to get started. Hope you enjoy!

A few things I did this week…..
Parker – A listener suggested I try Perfect Time Café, 10471 South Parker Road. Loved it! Met Mary Flores, the owner. Huge three egg omelet with hash browns. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Denver – Lunch at Jimmy’s Jersey Street Café, 9th and Jersey. Tenderloin sandwich with home made pasta salad. Owned by Jimmy Lambotos, LONG time restaurant owner, operator. Lunch and dinner five days a week, brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Denver – The Porchetta House, 1510 Humboldt. Radio station GM had tried it. I didn’t even know what porchetta is. Hard to find, Ask for AJ, the owner.
Hadn’t been to a Jamba Juice in awhile. Stopped by, got a smoothie, but found out that they serve acai bowls. Going to try one soon. Love acai bowls.
Viewhouse Centennial – Had our Restaurant Show Book Club meeting this week. Joned by Colorado author, Peter Heller, and featured an interview with David Baldacci. For lunch I had the two-for-$13.99 meal deal. Nice side salad followed by cheeseburger. Next meeting is Wednesday, March 26. Everybody is welcome.

What am I reading? Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard have a new book, Confronting the Presidents. A brief, five or six pages, summation of each president. Gives you a history, but also lots of human interest and personal stories about each.

South Broadway – While driving, I saw a new Manning’s Steak House. Original is on West Alameda, and does a great job. Will get to this location soon.
Just read Blood and the Badge by Michael Cannell about two rogue NYPD cops. Interview coming up with Michael this weekend. If you miss it, check out the podcast. Inviting Michael to appear at the March book club meeting.

2025, The Year of the Caller – Just some of the restaurants that have supplied gift certificates to give away to on air callers include Butchery Steak House, Paravicini’s Italian Bistro, Capriotti’s Sandwich Shops, Billy’s Old World Pizza, more. Taking a lot of on air calls in both Colorado Springs (studio line 719-388-0391) and Denver (303-696-1971).

Thanks for reading Out and About. Please feel free to contribute. Follow me on social media

Something new has come to The Restaurant Show. Listeners and other followers often ask me where I’ve been, what I’ve done throughout the week. They know about the shows on the weekends, many join us at the various restaurants offering Meal Deals, some are in the Book Club, and a few even travel with us to exotic places.

But in an effort to share more of my wanderings, Out and About has been created. It will be timely, updated on a regular basis. It will be different from the website home page, the website calendar. It will be different from the Platter Chatter list of upcoming events distributed at restaurant appearances. It may be updated weekly, maybe every few days, or even maybe daily if the need arises, and the news worth sharing. So, a few examples…

This Week;
Breakfast at The South at South Huron in Englewood. Met show webmaster Ed Wilkes for lunch. Got there a little early, 10:30ish, and found out they are open and serving breakfast daily until noon. Score! I had the breakfast quesadilla, Ed had the breakfast tacos. Both delicious, and as always, The South gives big portions and great value. Monday through Friday ask for Michelle, day bartender and manager. Been there 25 years. You’ll love her.

A Snow Day – Went to Granelli’s Pizza in Castle Rock for a great, Chicago style pepperoni, sausage, and jalapeno pizza. Dine in is nice, especially since they have a liquor license.
What am I reading? Just finished Framed by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey. Stories of wrongfully convicted individuals, and the Innocence Project’s efforts to gain them freedom’
Another – Just read Blood and the Badge by Michael Cannell about two rogue NYPD cops. Interview coming up with Michael shortly.

2025, The Year of the Caller – Contacted a number of restaurants and asked for gift certificates to give away to on air callers. Everyone said “yes.” Will be taking a lot of on air calls in both Colorado Springs (studio line 719-388-0391) and Denver (303-696-1971).
Dairy Queen – Two double patty burgers for $7 is one of the best deals in fast food segment.

Mentioned show webmaster earlier. He’s Ed Wilkes (ed@gearsetmedia.com). Does a fabulous job, easy to reach, share ideas with, marketing oriented, and reasonably priced. He can help!

Thanks for reading the new Out and About. Check back often for more restaurant updates and experiences, books, movies, TV shows. Please feel free to contribute.