Broomfield Restaurant Reviews

As I write this, I’m sitting in the Starbucks at Highway 287 and Miramonte. It’s pretty much like all other Starbucks, of course. The one just happens to be closest to my house. Why am I here? Well, I couldn’t find any other coffee shops open today. I had thought we had two non-Starbucks coffee shops in Broomfield. But now I think we’re down to one.

I was in the mood to go hang out in a coffee shop for an hour or two this afternoon, catch up on some reading, and have a cold drink. My first desire was to avoid to Starbucks, of course. So I drove way out of my way to Gizzi’s. I hadn’t been there in probably a year. And when I got there, I saw they were closed. But they looked more like they were closed with a capital C, as in “Closed Forever.” I got out of the truck and peeked through the window. Sure enough, the tables and counters were all cleared out, and the shelved ripped off the walls. Bummer.

So, I drove to what I think is the only remaining independently owned coffee shop in all of Broomfield County, the Bananelope Cafe on Highway 287. It just opened a few weeks ago, sharing a building with Smokey Banana Tattoo’s new location. Unfortunately, they were closed today, too. Still in business, just taking hte day off. Bananelope and Smokey Banana are in an old auto service station. The tattoo parlor is in the part that used to be the car service bays, and the small cafe is in the part that used to be the office.

I think the place is run by a couple, with the husband/boyfriend/male running the tattoo parlor and the wife/girlfriend/female running the coffee shop. That tattoo parlor’s been around as long as I’ve been in Broomfield, now in its 3rd location. So it seems to have some good stability. I sure hope the cafe makes it, too. I’ve had some nice, short conversations with the proprietress of the cafe a few times, but have only talked to the tattoo guy once. They’re into sushi, I learned, and were planning to go get sushi that evening in Boulder.

The place has free WiFi, which, in case being independently-owned isn’t enough of a reason to visit, seals the deal over Starbucks. Starbucks has WiFi through T-Mobile, and last I checked it costs something like $8 a day, or $40 a month. But Bananelope Cafe offers it for free.

They make all the usual coffee drink variants, and offer a small selection of pastries. They also make tea, and have a decaf iced tea that’s really good. I think I’ve had it every time I’ve been in. They also have a few drinks in bottles and cans, energy drinks being the only one I remember. I suspect that’s probably popular with young customers who go in to get a tattoo and decide to get wired at the same time.

The decor is right on for a local coffee shop – lots of paintings for sale on the walls, a “take one, leave one” shelf of paperback books, and good music. I say “good music” just because they play stuff that’s not the usual afro-jazz-fusion stuff you hear at a lot of coffee shops. Last time I went to Bananelope, I think they had Tool on the stereo, or maybe it was Metallica. Unfortunately, I think they only have about 4 tables in the whole place, half of which are often used by nervous 18-year-olds about to make a permanent body modification. At times, the place can get too busy with dozens of tattoo patrons, and sometimes their kids or little brothers or whatever; that makes it less appealing as a place to just go hang out, catch up on email, and relax. But most of the time, it’s a great place to chill out.

When the King Soopers strip mall at 287 and Miramonte opened up a few years ago, there was an independent coffee shop that opened up. I remember the guy also made and sold frozen custard, which seemed like a great combination to me. Sadly, he couldn’t stay in business, and I think the place went out of business within a year. Not long after, Starbucks moved into the same strip mall, and has been here ever since. And on diagonally opposed corners of 120th and Sheridan, there used to be a Starbucks and a Peaberry. But when Peaberry went out of business, Starbucks was right there to move in. Now we have a Starbucks on opposite corners of the same intersection.

They have unnatural longevity, Starbucks. And ubiquity. They’re everywhere! And everywhere the same! I can see why Mike Doughty may have been motivated to write and record “Busting Up a Starbucks” a few years back. Imagine how bad things would be if the last independent coffee shop is driven out of business by the Starbucks machine. I guess things wouldn’t change all that much, but it would sure be a symbolic loss in the against uniformity. So support your local, independent coffee shop!

Unfortunately, from what I can tell, there’s only one place left to do that in my town – Bananelope Cafe. I sure hope you make it in the long run, Bananelope, because I don’t want Broomfield to be “down to none”.

Bananelope Cafe
1405 US Hwy 287
Broomfield, CO 80020

I’d heard good things about this little burrito shop, and decided to try it out tonight. It’s in a little cluster of shops just off Sheridan north of Midway that I never knew even existed! Most of their menu is burritos, as you might expect, though they also offer tamales and tacos. As you can tell from the name, they don’t have any tables; it’s solely for takeout.

I chose a burrito with beans and pork, and then had it upgraded to the “Ultimate Plate” which includes potatoes, sour cream, guacamole, green chile, lettuce, tomatoes, and probably a few other things in there. I tell you – I’m stuffed! The ultimate plate is huge, taking up an entire full size styrofoam takeout container. I couldn’t eat it all.

Their pork is very good, and they include a large portion of it. Their green chile is pretty good, too, but apparently only comes in one level of hotness. I probably should’ve stopped there. The half of the plate not taken up by the smothered burrito was filled with potatoes covered in a bunch of stuff, and the potatoes were soft (not crispy) and bland. Plus, once they piled the sour cream and guacamole onto the burrito it was just too much. The flavor of the burrito itself, which was delicious as far as I could tell, was watered down a bit and the burrito was too “wet”.

As I’d read, the prices are good, which is probably why Burritos to Go caters so much to high school students. Next time I go, I think I’ll just get a pork burrito smothered in chile and grated cheese, and pass on all the extras.

1050 E 10th Ave
Broomfield, CO 80020
(303) 466-2164

Unrelated to the food, I found there is a YouTube videos marginally about Burritos to Go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJsvzFfJ9Iw

A couple years ago, when the three pho restaurants opened all within a block of each other, I thought, “What were these people thinking? This can’t last. Broomfield’s never even had one Vietnamese restaurant, and suddenly we have three! I’m sure one will win out over the others and the other two will be out of business in six months.” Well, those six months ended well over a year ago, and all three seem to still be going strong.

If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, it’s the three Vietnamese restaurants along 120th just east of Main. Pho 120 is on the north side of the street, right behind Good Times. Pho Duy and Pho 79 are both on the south side of the street, near the Pacific Ocean Market and The Armadillo. Pho, for those not already acquainted, is Vietnamese beef noodle soup. All three restaurants specialize in it, and they all make it and serve it generally the same way. You pick the size of bowl you want – small, medium, or large. And you pick what you meats you want in the soup. All the soup bowls come with beef broth, rice noodles, and onions, and you always get a dish on the side with lots of fresh basil, some herb kinda like cilantro, bean sprouts, cut limes, and jalapenos. It’s up to the individual patron to decide which of these veggies to put in the bowl, along with hoisin sauce, fish sauce, and/or hot sauce.

The main differentiating factor between the three pho restaurants is probably the broth. Personally, I like the broth at Pho Duy the best. But I also regularly visit Pho 120 because the atmosphere is a bit quieter and more mellow most days. Pho 79 has the biggest menu, with more non-soup dishes than the others. Pho 120 has a liquor license, though I’ve never felt like ordering any beer or wine with my noodle soup. And Pho Duy has boba smoothies, which are frozen drinks that come in a variety of flavors, with tapioca balls (boba) mixed in.

Eating pho always makes me feel good. It’s a healthy feeling meal – relatively lean meat, tasty broth, and lots of fresh veggies. Plus, you can get a filling meal for about $6 to $8, including a drink. All three restaurants area open every day of the week from 9 AM to 9 PM. I guess some folks eat pho for breakfast, but I never have. It’s a nice lunch and an especially good deal for supper.

Pho Duy
6600 W 120th Ave
Broomfield, CO 80020
(303) 438-7197

Pho 79
6650 W 120th Ave
Broomfield, CO
(303) 439-0028

Pho 120
6765 W 120th Ave
Broomfield, CO
(303) 466-6346

Even though I really like eating at tiny “hole-in-the-wall” type Mexican restaurants, I think my favorite Mexican joint in Broomfield is 3 Margaritas. I’ve been there twice in the past couple weeks, and probably eight or ten times before that.

On the last visit, I went with my wife and my mother. They both ordered full size entrees, and so I decided to just get a bowl of soup and help my guests with their meals. I’ve learned from other trips that the portions at 3 Margaritas are just huge, and I figured neither Mom nor Beth could finish their meals. Well, not having tried it before, I ordered the caldo de pollo. I assumed it would be a reasonably sized bowl of chicken soup, but it was a huge bowl big enough to serve several people. I think we got three servings out of that one – I ate as much as I could the night we went there, and then Beth and I both had leftovers from it a couple days later. But it was very tasty. I don’t know exactly what caldo de pollo means, but when I saw the bowl they brought it in, I figured it must mean “cauldron of chicken”. It’s got yummy chicken broth; pieces of what must add up to about half a chicken; big chunks of potato, carrots, and other veggies; and a whole plate of extra goodies you can throw in, including cilantro, rice, and avocado.

One other meal of note is the pollo con crema. It comes on a huge plate and is big enough to serve probably 2 to 4 normal people. It’s tasty chunks of chicken cooked with a mildly spicy cream sauce. I’m sure it’s thousands of calories, but very tasty. Beth ordered that one a couple visits ago, and after she ate all she could, I had two more meals of leftovers from it.

Two things I highly recommend from the lunch menu are the mushroom burrito and the salads. They have a separate salad menu now with four different meal-sized salads. I had the one with fish one time and really like it. I’ve never had great green salads in Mexico, but the one I had from 3 Margaritas was good. And another time I had the mushroom (champinion) burrito. If you want a vegetarian option for lunch, this is a great choice. It’s a burrito filled with big chunks of well flavored mushrooms and vegetables.

So I guess my opinion of 3 Margaritas in Broomfield is that they have good food and large portions. Everything I’ve ordered has been above average to great, and it’s my top choice for Mexican food in town.

3 Margaritas
6896 W 120th Ave
Broomfield, CO 80020
(303) 410-8705

My wife and I live very close to this restaurant, which is why I wish I liked it more. Buenos Tiempos is an old time Broomfield tradition, a Mexican restaurant that existed long before we moved here and therefore longer than any other Mexican restaurant I know. Their menu is a mix of “Mexican” food and American food. They’ve got the usual Mexican restaurant combos with burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and so on. And they also have hamburgers and french fries, and stuff like that. The joint seems to be about 50/50 bar and restaurant. Sometimes when I go in the bar is very busy and the restaurant is quiet, and other times it’s just the opposite. I think the prices are good, but the food is only so-so most of the time.

If you’re willing to go with one of the combination platters, you can get 2 or 3 items, plus beans, rice, chips, salsa, and a salad all for $8 to $10. But most of the fare is uninspired. I have had two dishes that were surprisingly good. The first is on the menu all the time, and it’s the tilapia. When I had it about a month ago, I had low expectations but I was really in the mood for fish. It was really good – way different than the usual cheese smothered combo plates. I’d definitely have it again, and it is also surprisingly inexpensive. Also, Buenos Tiempos occasionally has really good dinner specials. I had carnitas there one time that I really liked a lot.

The wait staff is always friendly, though sometimes I wonder if the restaurant is a training ground for other restaurants or something. I hardly ever see the same waitress there twice, so I’m guessing they have moderate turnover.

I do have to say I really like their salsa, which they serve with a warm basket of chips before each meal. It’s very flavorful. Not sure if it’s made there or not, but I like it. Also, they have a variety of margaritas covering all price ranges. The house marg is OK and very inexpensive, while they also have some fancier ones made with top shelf ingredients in the $8 or $9 range.

Buenos Tiempos
1000 Depot Hill Rd # I
Broomfield, CO
(303) 466-6386

Bloom gets my vote for the best restaurant in Broomfield. They’ve got a very extensive wine list, and top notch food. When Bloom first opened a few years ago, they had stellar service – the kind of delightfully attentive staff that were always there when you wanted or needed them. I’m not talking just about someone to come by and refill your water regularly, but a staff that really knows their wines, refolds your napkin for you when you go to the restroom, etc. But since then, the service level has dropped a bit to what I’d just call “good”.

Early on, I had what I think were the best scallops I’ve ever had at Bloom, though they changed the recipe of their scallops dish since then and I don’t like it quite as much. Beth loves their pate plate, and we both like their baked brie appetizer plate. The bread ranges from OK to great. And in addition to a good wine selection, they also have good mixed drinks; I occasionally get a mojito or martini there and have never been disappointed.

The cuisine is what I call “new American.” It’s a blend of traditional favorites with an upscale twist, along with American/Asian fusion dishes. They always have at least one delightful pasta dish, too, and I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad meal there. And I like their salads, too – way better than the usual green salad or even the slightly more modern but now-tired spinach and strawberry salad with raspberry vinaigrette (I am so sick of raspberry vinaigrette!).

All this good stuff doesn’t come cheap, though. Prices for entrees are mostly in the $15 to $20 range, but once you add in a couple glasses of wine or a mixed drink, plus a salad or other appetizer, plus a dessert to share, then you’re in the ballpark of $80 per couple. Beth and I once had a craving for Bloom when I was taking the day off from work, so we went there for lunch. We thought we could get by with a relatively inexpensive meal since it was lunch. Well, it was still $50 for the two of us. So we reserve Bloom for special occasions or times we really want something above the ordinary. Unfortunately, we can’t go every week, though I wish we could!

Bloom
1 Flatiron Cir
Broomfield, CO 80021
(303) 887-2800

This rapidly growing chain of sandwich shops opened a store at Highway 287 and Miramonte a couple years ago. I was pretty excited, thinking we’d have a real New York style delicatessan so close by. But after visiting a couple times, I can tell you that Heidi’s is neither from Brooklyn nor a deli. I was really hoping to get stuff like Nathan’s hot dogs, chicken matzo ball soup, and omelets for breakfast. But I had their hot dog and it was a disaster – microwaved and then manhandled so badly the bun was nearly falling apart by the time it got to me. The soups look and taste like something from a Campbell’s can. And they don’t have anything really good or unique for breakfast.

Since they don’t have an actual stove or grill in the place, everything is microwaved. For a hot dog as good as a Sabrett’s or Nathan’s, microwaving is a sacrelige. And the lack of a grill means they make things like Reuben sandwiches by microwaving, and – optionally – sending it through one of those little toaster ovens with a conveyor belt. Yuck.

In all fairness, they do make decent sandwiches, on freshly sliced (but not freshly baked) bread. They’ve got a wide variety, and they make them with abundant meat and other ingredients. And they always have a small handful of sandwiches on a rotating “specials” menu. But in my view, the sandwiches are only a half step up from Subway, and not even as good as Quizno’s was in their heyday.

After the Broomfield restaurant opened up, it took me a few months to realize that this Heidi’s was in the same chain of restaurants as the Heidi’s in Highlands in Denver. I remember going to that restaurant several years ago and had a good meal, including some very tasty pie. But it looks to me like Heidi’s has given up what made them unique from all the other sandwich shops. I fear Heidi’s is on the same path as Boston Chicken – overexpand, start skimping on quality, and then implode into something far worse than the original concept.

Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli
1170 Hwy 287 Suite D 100A
Broomfield, CO 80020
(303) 404-2000