Featured image courtesy of Monses Pupuseria
Colorado definitely has its own culture—even when it comes to food.
It’s exactly what you would expect from a state known for its glorious vistas, remote backcountry and cascading streams. Wild game and rainbow trout are true delicacies on every menu. When in season, Palisade peaches from the western slope pair well with shortcake and ice cream, or simply on their own. Southern Colorado-grown Hatch chiles peak in late summer and, once roasted, become the star of irresistible green chile stews, cornbread, salads, pies and even beer.
And don’t forget the Rocky Mountain oysters.
But Colorado welcomes diversity of all kinds, including many ethnic cuisines. In the Pikes Peak region alone, foodies can choose from Ethiopian, Mexican, Asian, El Salvadoran, and Indian fare at numerous restaurants.
Here are three of our favorites:
Monse’s Pupuseria
Featured image courtesy of Monses Pupuseria
Ever since opening her El Salvadoran restaurant in Old Colorado City, owner Monse Hines has become the queen of Latin American comfort food. Outside, the diminutive pupuseria’s colorful courtyard mural reflects the joy she brings to her local fans inside.
Hines embraces her native country’s national dish—the pupusa—and brings it home to Colorado Springs. Not quite a taco, not necessarily a quesadilla, this thick, doughy gluten-free pocket brings delights in a variety of fillings including pueblo chiles and pinto beans, enhanced with the unique, somewhat nutty, seasoning of Central America’s indigenous loraco flower. The traditional Salvadoran dish, chilaquiles salvadorenas, features cheese-stuffed corn tortillas, dipped in egg batter, fried until golden, and simmered in a savory tomato-based sauce. Empanadas, carne asada tacos and yucca fries are among the many other south-of-the-border favorites on the menu.
Bring your dog and enjoy a margarita or mojito on the patio. Provecho!
- 115 South 25th Street Colorado Springs, CO 80904
- 719-473-0877
- MonsesTasteOfElSalvador.online
The Brit Pub
Photo courtesy of Ren Creativ
This cheeky newcomer to Colorado Springs’ New South End neighborhood is a transatlantic gem. With no TSA pre-board or passport required, diners can enjoy true British fare in a clubby atmosphere, complete with one of England’s iconic full-size red telephone boxes. Intimate seating and a well-polished bar play well with the massive mahogany walls, soaring windows and British memorabilia. While many believe that British food is mutton and potatoes, the pub’s Executive Chef Phil Griffin prepares authentic dishes, but with a gourmet twist: he creates his own gravies and sauces, including his modified hand-me-down mango chutney recipe from his mother.
The dinner menu features bangers and mash, cottage pie, fish and chips and authentic Indian favorites like chicken tikka masala. Every Sunday, the Brit offers its popular Sunday roast with four options—prime rib, roast chicken, Australian leg of lamb, and Duroc pork belly — from 11:00 a.m. until sold out.
By all means, don’t skip the classic British toffee sticky pudding—a dense sponge cake with chopped dates, and a sweet toffee sauce embraced by a dollop of vanilla ice cream. Tally ho!
- 645 S Sierra Madre St, Suite 100, Colorado Springs
- 719-368-8707
- GreatBritish.net
Ambli Latin Social
A relative newcomer to the downtown Colorado Springs dining scene, Latin Social has created quite the stir among area gourmands. And rightfully so. Its splashy interior, high-end touches, and expansive French and Mediterranean dishes create a meet-me-in-Paris or fly-me-to-Istanbul vibe.
As the newest addition to the highly-rated Ambli restaurant group, Latin Social’s chef and owner, Ricardo Morffin, brings both his vision and talents to a remarkable fusion of tempting dishes to the table. Start with innovative tapas —like French onion oysters, roasted beets and burrata, or ahi tuna crudo—before moving on to an impressive kebab selection. Or consider the one-half-dozen-plus chef’s in-house creations. Two variations of the Valencia-inspired Spanish paella—seafood and carne—are a testament to the region’s history.
Can’t decide? Picture yourself in the Mediterranean country of choice, and order appropriately.
- 316 N Tejon Street Colorado Springs
- 719-308-5579
- AmbliDenver.com/AmbliLatinSocial
