Feast 2024

Formerly

PUBLISHER: Francis Zankowski

CIRCULATION MANAGER: Cal Winn

EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Shay Castle

FOOD EDITOR: John Lehndorff

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR:

Jezy J. Gray

REPORTERS: Kaylee Harter, Will Matuska

SALES AND MARKETING

MARKET DEVELOPMENT MANAGER:

Kellie Robinson

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE:

Matthew Fischer

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES:

Chris Allred, Holden Hauke

SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER: Carter Ferryman

MRS. BOULDER WEEKLY: Mari Nevar

PRODUCTION

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Erik Wogen

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Mark Goodman

CIRCULATION MANAGER: Cal Winn

CIRCULATION TEAM: Sue Butcher, Ken Rott, Chris Bauer

BUSINESS OFFICE BOOKKEEPER/ACCOUNT

EXECUTIVE: Austen Lopp

FOUNDER / CEO: Stewart Sallo

IMAGE: A spread at Cafe Aion on the Hill. Courtesy: Branded Beet PR

06 FARE-LY CHEAP

A local list of good food at great prices

10 GOLD MEDAL DINING

A roster of celebrated eateries

14 MIXED

PLATE

The highs and lows of Uni Hill

19

IT’S A BODEGA

Trio of owners brings global flavor to Boulder

22 ‘IT’S NOT SUSTAINABLE’

Local food insecurity is worse than ever

Pull a comfy seat up around Boulder Weekly’s big dining table and make yourself at home. Whether you are a local or a visitor, consider yourself a lucky diner. This may be the best time ever to be a foodie in Boulder, whether you like your fare artisanal and farmto-table or down-to-earth and familiar.

24 FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVALS

The tastes of Colorado

26 REST STOPS

Where cyclists refuel on the road

29 STUFFED

Boulder is bursting with delicious dumplings

30 GET THAT BREAD

Where to find fresh-baked loaves

32 SANS SUDS

Boulder County’s tasting rooms go beyond beer

This special Feast magazine is your culinary passport to the diverse food and drink attractions of Boulder County and beyond. Explore our award-winning eateries; sample our cheaper fare; tour the world from the shelves of a small corner store.

While we enjoy exceptional dining opportunities, Boulder County’s food banks are see-

ing an unprecedented number of residents seeking assistance. We hope you’ll take a moment to learn about the unseen hunger lurking in this foodie oasis —and how you can help. Whether wandering the Hill on foot or up canyons by bike, we hope you let Feast be your guide to the best Boulder County has to offer. Bon appétit!

Fare-ly cheap

A local list of good food at great prices

BY JOHN LEHNDORFF

It’s no secret that Boulder has a reputation as a damn pricey place to dine. Sticker shock is nothing new, but lately the cost of dining has skyrocketed, even at fast food and fast-casual restaurants.

To save us all a few hardearned bucks, Boulder Weekly crowd-sourced great dining deals available at local restaurants. We asked readers, social media followers, friends and staff members — all of them known bargain hunters — for suggestions.

Our culinary criteria were simple: The recommended meals had to be great food, not just cheap and filling. They had to be available sitting down at a restaurant, not gobbled in a car (not that there’s anything wrong with that). These good deals had to be available from local independent restaurants and bars,

DID YOU KNOW?

Boulder Weekly Best of Boulder Deals offers discounted gift cards for local restaurants and businesses: bestofboulderdeals.kostizi.com

not national chains. The items had to be available on a regular menu, or a happy hour, lunch or bar menu, not a one-time or short-term item.

When our list of good food at a good price was done, it was clear that bargains abound locally if you poke around a little bit and are willing to dine early.

The following menu is just an appetizer — a select list of always available money-saving options.

Send your nominations for other great Boulder County dining deals to nibbles@boulderweekly. com and we’ll add them to the online version of this story.

BOULDER

THE ATTIC BAR & BISTRO

949 Walnut St. Suite 200

$3.50 sliders (including cheeseburger, French dip, buffalo chicken) during happy hour, 3-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

GEMINI

1115 Pearl St.

$5 all-day tapas Tuesday: Selected tapas including patatas bravas, meatballs, croquetas de chorizo, fried artichoke hearts, boquerones, pan con tomate and mixed olives.

DOT’S DINER

2716 28th St.

$5.95 early bird breakfast (before 8 a.m.): Two eggs, hashbrowns and a buttermilk biscuit with butter and raspberry jam.

BRASSERIE TEN TEN

1011 Walnut St.

$6 or less: Happy hour, 3-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Items $6 or less include: pommes frites with aioli, fried anchovy olives, tomato-baked focaccia with prosciutto, two East Coast oysters and steamed mussels.

EAT WELL CAFE AT WEST AGE WELL CENTER

909 Arapahoe Ave.

$7.99 lunch 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Monday-Friday: Includes entrée, salad or soup, dessert and beverage. Entrée options (which change daily) include chicken parmesan, chicken tacos, beef bourguignon, cornmeal catfish, roasted adobo pork and mushroom risotto.

FUJI CAFE & BAR

2018 Broadway

$7.99 onigiri (rice ball) with miso soup and pickled vegetables. Onigiri fillings include freshwater eel, salmon, wild albacore with Japanese mayo and ginger-soy ribeye.

FRINGE

2900 Valmont Road

$7-$12: Happy hour 3-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Orders of bruschetta and saffron risotto arancini for $7 each; blistered shishitos and crispy brussels for $8 each; charcuterie platter for $12.

ZOE MA MA

2010 10th St.

$9.50 bowls of bone-in chicken, potatoes and rice in broth with green onions and cilantro are always available.

CURRY ‘N’ KEBOB

3050 28th St.

$9.95 daily lunch special: Eight entrée options such as chicken masala, beef kofta or tofu saag with Basmati rice, naan, onion baji and dessert.

TIERRA Y FUEGO TAQUERIA

4550 Broadway Unit C-3A $10 breakfast migas (8 a.m.-2 p.m.): Fresh tortilla chips cooked with scrambled eggs, topped with queso fresco, crema and pico de gallo, with black or pork pinto beans.

THE SOPHOMORE

1043 Pearl St.

$20 weekday meal deal: Three sliders, fries and a tap beer. Slider varieties include The Boulder, The Bird in the Buff and the Bahn Mi.

Courtesy: The Sophomore

LAFAYETTE

THE POST CHICKEN & BEER

105 W Emma St.

$1.50-$10: Happy hour, 4-6 p.m.

Monday-Friday: Deviled eggs with bacon for $1.50 each; crispy chicken biscuit sliders, two for $10. Also available at Longmont and Boulder locations.

GHOST BOX

103 S Public Road

$2: Happy hour, 4-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Meatballs with marinara, Parmesan and basil, $2 each; pepperoni mozzarella rolls with marinara, $6 for three rolls.

NIWOT

NIWOT TAVERN

7960 Niwot Road Unit D12

$6.95: Happy hour, 2-5 p.m. daily: Small plates including chips, salsa and guacamole, pork carnitas tacos with avocado salsa, beer-battered mushrooms and warm pretzels with beer cheese.

FAROW

7196 Niwot Road

$10: Happy hour, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Tuesday-Saturday. Happy Burger with Longmont’s Buckner Ranch beef, Sawatch-aged cheddar, housemade pickles, onion and special sauce on a bun.

LOUISVILLE

MOXIE BREAD CO.

641 Main St.

$3 toasted sesame seed bagel (made with housemilled organic heirloom flour) with cream cheese. Louisville location only.

MR. SAKE SUSHI & GRILL

1387 E. South Boulder Road, Unit G

$12.95 lunch special: Two sushi rolls with soup or salad. Choices include chicken tempura, tuna, eel cucumber and salmon mango rolls.

VERDE

640 Main St.

$12.95 daily lunch special: Two tacos with rice and beans. Choices include coconut citrus fish

taco, al pastor taco and chorizo sausage taco. Also available at the Boulder location.

Courtesy: Farow

Courtesy: Flavor of India

Courtesy: Niwot Tavern

VOTED BEST PHO TRADITIONAL VIETNAMESE PHO HOUSE

11am-9pm

Longmont & Boulder

Open 7 days a Week

2855 28th St, Boulder, CO • (303)-449-0350

2321 Clover Basin Dr, Longmont, CO • (303) 834-9765

DINE IN - TAKE OUT

www.boulderpho.eat24hour.com

LONGMONT

JEFE’S TACOS & TEQUILA

246 Main St.

$2-$2.50: Happy hour, 3-5 p.m. Monday-Friday: Chips and salsa $2; street tacos (carne asada, carnitas, al pastor, chorizo, barbacoa, chicken tinga or squash) $2.50 each.

LUCILE’S CREOLE CAFE

518 Kimbark St.

$13 shrimp and grits: Shrimp and andouille sausage served over creamy cheese grits. Also available at the Boulder location.

FLAVOR OF INDIA

370 Main St.

$15 lunch combo plate.

Available Tuesday-Sunday. An entrée and two sides with basmati rice, naan, salad, appetizer, fruit and dessert. Options include vegetable korma, saag paneer, tandoori chicken and meatball curry.

NEDERLAND

BUSEY BREWS

70 E 1st St.

$20: Happy hour, 3-5 p.m.

Monday-Friday: Busey Buffet includes two smoked ribs, six smoked wings, two sliders and a half-order of nachos.

Lucile’s Creole Cafe Credit: Doris Cheung

Winner, winner local dinner

Visit Boulder County’s roster of award-winning restaurants, TV-featured dives and celebrated breweries

BY JOHN LEHNDORFF

When it came to dining, Boulder used to be flyover territory. Now this small Colorado city is a bona fide American culinary destination and home to many bucket list restaurants. Food-minded tourists from across the nation and the globe are trekking here just to go out to dinner.

It has been a long time coming. The Flagstaff House Restaurant has been grabbing wine headlines since at least

1983. Back in 1999, Boulder chef James Mazzio at 15 Degrees restaurant was named a Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chef. In 2009, Hosea Rosenberg — then at Jax Fish House — won Season 5 of Top Chef. Boulder was dubbed by Bon Appétit as “America’s Foodiest Town” in 2010. Numerous local eateries have brought home James Beard Awards and nominations or appeared on TV food shows.

Boulder truly strode into the culinary spotlight in 2023 when the

Michelin Guide debuted in Colorado. The Michelins are regarded as the most prestigious dining awards in the world, and Boulder eateries grabbed more than their share of the honors. Michelin awards one, two or three stars to a small handful of exceptional eateries. It also awards Bib Gourmand distinctions to establishments that offer “great quality food at good prices,” meaning a three-course meal for under $50. A green star

is awarded to eateries dedicated to sustainability, and other restaurants are given Michelin Recommended status.

The result is that Boulder diners accustomed to easily securing a table on weekend nights are finding that they need to make primetime reservations weeks ahead.

Here are the Boulder County eateries that should be on savvy diners’ bucket lists, according to the Michelin Man.

Courtesy: Bramble & Hare

Courtesy: Blackbelly

BASTA

3601 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder

BASTA earned Bib Gourmand honors from the Michelin Guide in 2023. The 2024 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards national semifinalists include chef Kelly Whitaker in the Outstanding Restaurateur category. His Boulder-based Id Est Hospitality Group includes The Wolf’s Tailor and BRUTØ in Denver and

BASTA and Dry Storage in Boulder, which have all earned additional honors from Michelin and the James Beard Awards.

BLACKBELLY MARKET

1606 Conestoga St., Boulder

Hosea Rosenberg has grown his restaurant, market and artisan butcher shop into a nationally recognized destination. Michelin awarded Blackbelly a green star for its sustainability efforts and named Kelly Kawachi, Blackbelly’s head butcher, as Colorado’s top culinary professional.

BOULDER DUSHANBE TEAHOUSE

1770 13th St., Boulder

North America’s only authentic Persian teahouse debuted 25 years ago in Boulder. One of the city’s most visited attractions features authentic tea service and an international menu ranging from

Korean pan-fried noodles to Peruvian parihuela. The teahouse earned Michelin Guide Recommended status in 2023.

BRAMBLE & HARE

1970 13th St., Boulder

Chef and farmer Eric Skokan is a James Beard Awards finalist. It’s not surprising that Bramble and Hare earned a Michelin green star since most of the produce and meat served at the restaurant is grown sustainably on Skokan’s farm. His beloved, pandemic-born feasts on the farm have been on hiatus for more than a year for building and permits, but the chef plans to relaunch the farm dinners this summer.

FLAGSTAFF HOUSE RESTAURANT

1138 Flagstaff Road, Boulder

FRASCA FOOD AND WINE

1738 Pearl St., Boulder

Every year since 1983, the Flagstaff House has received the prestigious Wine Spectator Grand Award for its wine service and cellar, now stocked with more than 16,000 bottles. The restaurant was recently named one of OpenTable’s Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in America.

The most celebrated Boulder eatery ever brought home the city’s only Michelin star as well as honors for the best service staff in the state under the direction of wine and hospitality guru Bobby Stuckey. Frasca has won three James Beard Awards, including the coveted Outstanding Service Award.

GINGER PIG

1203 13th St., Boulder

Starting as an Asian street food-oriented Boulder food truck in 2016, Natascha Sherman Hess’ Ginger Pig became a Denver restaurant in 2020. In 2023, she opened a second, takeout-only Ginger Pig on the Hill in Boulder. Denver’s Ginger Pig was awarded Bib Gourmand honors in 2023. Hess also competed on the Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay.

Courtesy: Frasca Food and Wine

MARIGOLD

405 Main St., Lyons

Marigold may be a new restaurant, but chef/owner Theo Adley has wowed local palates for 20 years at Pinyon and Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, and at Aspen’s Little Nell. The 40-seat Marigold focuses on fare from northern Italy and southern France, using local ingredients.

Theo Adley is a 2024 James Beard Awards semi-finalist in the Best Chef: Mountain category.

OAK AT FOURTEENTH

1400 Pearl St., Boulder

Chef Steven Redzikowski is a James Beard Award nominee. The American restaurant earned Michelin Recommended status.

SANTO

1265 Alpine Ave., Boulder

Chef Rosenberg’s eatery inspired by his New Mexico upbringing earned Michelin Recommended status in 2023.

STELLA’S CUCINA

1123 Walnut St., Boulder

Despite the fact that Stella’s Cucina had only been open a short time, the upscale Italian restaurant earned Michelin Recommended status.

ZOE MA MA

2010 10th St., Boulder

Zoe Ma Ma earned Michelin Recommended status in 2023.

Chef and owner Edwin Zoe was a 2022 James Beard Award semi-finalist in the Outstanding Restauranteur category for his Zoe Ma Ma and Dragonfly Noodle restaurants in Boulder and Denver.

I’LL HAVE WHAT GUY’S HAVING

The Food Network has brought Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and its famous host, Guy Fieri, to Boulder numerous times. Here are the spots he visited and the items the audience watched him consume:

Audrey Jane’s Pizza Garage, 2675 13th St.: Meatball grinder sub

Aloy Thai, 2720 Canyon Blvd.: Khao soi soup

Zoe Ma Ma, 2010 10th St.: Pork steamed buns and za jiang mian

Foolish Craig’s Cafe, 1611 Pearl St.: 21-layer butter rum caramel crepe cake

The Sink, 1165 13th St.: Texas onion straw burger

Bohemian Biergarten, 2017 13th St.: Apple strudel Rincon Argentino, 2525 Arapahoe Ave.: Milanesa Napolitana and tradicional steak empanadas

MORE CELEBRATED DESTINATIONS

Osaka’s of Boulder, 2460 Canyon Blvd.: The Osaka Burger made Yelp’s list of the Top 100 Burgers in America

Tandoori Kitchen, 199 W South Boulder Road, Lafayette: Ranked No. 41 on

Yelp’s

list of the Top-100 U.S. Restaurants

Spirits from two Boulder distillers received serious honors at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards:

Hogback Distillery, 5311

Western Ave. Suite 174: Wallace Collection Peated Malt Vapor Distillery, 5311

Western Ave. Suite 180: Boulder Spirits Straight Bourbon Whiskey Cask Strength

AWARD-WINNING ALES

Boulder County, often labeled the Silicon Valley of the craft brewing movement, is home to dozens of breweries that have taken home competition medals.

At the 2023 Great American Beer Festival in Denver, locals earning medals included Boulder’s Avery Brewing, Lafayette’s Liquid Mechanics and Westbound & Down, Knuckle Puck Brewing in Mead, and Longmont’s Pumphouse Brewery, Left Hand Brewing and Oskar Blues Brewery Wibby Brewing in Longmont was honored as Brewery of the Year in the 5,001 to 15,000-barrel category.

More winners: great americanbeerfestival.com

Credit: John Lehndorff

Courtesy: Bohemian Biergarten

Mixed plate

The highs and lows of serving cuisine on University Hill, as told by its restaurateurs

BY CARTER FERRYMAN

University Hill has been, and always will be, definitively odd — and proud of it. Once a vibrant hub for counterculture, some would argue that the Hill has lost its luster in recent years.

For Dakota Soifer, owner of Cafe Aion, the neighborhood where he set up shop in April 2010 is still special. Soifer’s passion for the Hill runs deep, so much so that he is president of The Hill Boulder, a group whose mission is “to bring life, activity and prosperity to Boulder’s University Hill district,” according to its website.

Soifer has seen countless visitors, locals and students peruse the streets outside his restaurant, but one thing remains

constant: You never know who will walk through your doors.

“I love how on any given day, we could have groups speaking foreign languages from different departments at one table and Nobel Laureates at another,” he says.

The mix of students and residents on the Hill mirrors the

dining options within its two neighborhood blocks. Therein lies a cornucopia of good eats: shrimp shumai dumplings, Chicago tavern-style pizza, bacon egg and cheese sandwiches, birria tacos, chicken tikka masala and pupusas. Soifer serves Spanish- and Moroccan-inspired cuisine; across the street from him is Hapa Sushi, and to his right is Ginger Pig, which dish up Japanese and Asian street food, respectively.

It’s this sort of variety of guests and grub that attracted Holley Ellis, owner of Alice & Rose, to her location overlooking campus less than a year ago. The all-day brunch spot is

GRUB DIRECTORY

EVERY SPOT TO EAT AND DRINK ON THE HILL

HALF FAST SUBS

1215 13th St.

Eclectic sub sandwiches

ALICE & ROSE

1301 Pennsylvania Ave. Brunch confections and high tea

THE GINGER PIG

1203 13th St. Asian street food

RUSH BOWLS

1207 13th St.

Smoothies and acai bowls

INSOMNIA COOKIES

1203 13th St. #2

Warm cookies and ice cream sandwiches

CAFE AION

1235 Pennsylvania Ave.

Spanish/Moroccan shareables

BRASSERIE BOULDER

1235 Pennsylvania Ave. French cuisine for takeout and delivery

SUSHI HANA

1220 Pennsylvania Ave.

Specialty rolls and sake galore

THE SINK

1165 13th St.

Landmark pizza and burgers

THE LAB

1155 13th St.

Classic bar fare

TACO JUNKY

1149 13th St.

Tacos, tequila and tunes

LOLLICUP

1142 13th St.

Quick and easy bubble tea

Alice & Rose opened on the Hill in September 2023. (Top) Credit: Kari Whitman (Above) Courtesy: Alice & Rose

UNIVERSITY HILL MARKET & DELI (SMELLY DELI)

1134 13th St., #7016

Middle Eastern classics and deli sandwiches

ADO’S KITCHEN

1143 13th St.

Global cuisine and killer pupusas

ILLEGAL PETE’S

1124 13th St.

Burrito bowls and cocktails

GAIA MASALA AND BURGER

1116 13th St.

Late night Indian fusion

FAT SHACK

1110 13th St.

Monster sandwiches and shakes

NANA’S DUMPLINGS

1125 13th St.

Dim sum and noodle bowls

CHICKEN ON THE HILL

1119 13th St.

Chicken tenders and well drinks

DEUN DEUN BOX

1107 13th St.

Authentic Korean boxes

THE CORNER

1100 13th St.

All-day organic grub

PECKISH

1320 College Ave.

Chicken wings and cold beer

THAI AVENUE

1310 College Ave.

Staple Thai plates

Directory continued on page 16

inspired by Alice in Wonderland, with offerings from lobster eggs benedict to pancake towers.

“We want to be the spot students bring their parents, the place university faculty meet up and of course the place everyone wants to eat and drink at before and after events,” Ellis says.

Alice & Rose opened in September 2023, joining a roster of recent additions to the Hill — Ginger Pig, Nana’s Dumplings and Duen Duen Box to name a few. Over 25 food and drink spots now inhabit two blocks.

But for every opening, there was likely a closure that preceded it — a testament to the difficulty of operating a food spot in a location with seasonal clientele.

“The flow of business on the Hill — since traffic

is dependent mostly on CU’s schedule — can be difficult to navigate,” says Soifer.

Ado Salguero, owner of Ado’s Kitchen, a sitdown restaurant featuring authentic dishes from El Salvador, is straightforward about his position on 13th Street.

“The Hill is not appealing to serve my cuisine,” Salguero says. “I should have listened

when people told me to avoid it.”

Among other things, Salguero cites “high rent, the stressful swings of the college year, staffing and parking,” as some of the consistent challenges he faces.

Two changes could bolster the spirits and bottom lines of the Hill’s entrepreneurs. In November 2023, Boulder City

Cafe Aion serves Spanish- and Moroccan-inspired cuisine. (Top) Courtesy: Branded Beet PR (Above) Credit: Kevin Hefferman

Continued from page 15

SEOUL KITCHEN

1310 College Ave.

No-frills asian fusion

PRIME NUTRITION

1087 13th St.

Healthy smoothies and tea

D.P. DOUGH

1310 College Ave. Loaded calzones

PIZZA 3.14

1313 College Ave.

Chicago tavern-style pizza

Council voted unanimously to repeal a law that required (among other things) restaurants, brewpubs and taverns close no later than 11 p.m. and earn 50% of their gross income from food sales every given month — two rules specific to University Hill.

Second is the introduction of a conference center and two new hotels just blocks from Cafe Aion, Ado’s Kitchen and Alice & Rose.

“Having a more ‘adult’ group of potential guests year-round on the Hill within walking distance of the commercial core will be a real boost,” Soifer says.

DELI ZONE

1322 College Ave.

East Coast breakfast sandwiches

KIM’S FOOD TO GO

1121 Broadway

Vietnamese lunch and dinner

KUNG FU TEA

1121 Broadway, #102

Bubble tea and coffee

ALPINE MODERN CAFE

904 College Ave.

Coffee and contemporary bites

Students come and go, and so too will hotel guests. For owners like Soifer, Salguero and Ellis, turning a local into a regular is the challenge.

Whether they’ve been serving food for 14 years or a few months, their doors are open, inviting the people they share a city with to give them a chance to help keep the Hill alive for the next generation.

Courtesy: Ado’s Kitchen

It’s a Bodega

Trio of owners brings global flavor to Boulder

STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAYLEE HARTER

Sizzling artificial squid-flavored Lays from China. Garlic baguette-flavored Sun Chips from Korea. Matcha KitKats from Japan.

Boulderites don’t have to travel across the globe to sample these familiar snacks in unfamiliar flavors — they just need to head to University Hill.

It’s a Bodega, a convenience-store-style international snack shop, opened off Broadway in February.

“It was an opportunity to bring something new to Boulder that we don’t have,” says Armani Pacheco, one of the shop’s three owners and a 2023 CU Boulder alum. “There’s really no exotic goods or really exotic anything up

here. It was a new way to let people indulge in a new experience.”

The Denver-based franchise first opened in 2020 and now has locations opening in Chicago and Indianapolis. Co-owner Abel Melara was one of the shop’s faithful customers, frequenting the spot with his girlfriend before movie nights and favoring it over standard gas stations and convenience stores.

“It’s been years that I’ve been shopping with them,” he says. “So I was like, ‘I love this spot.’ I love finding snacks that other people can’t find. It’s like, ‘Where do you find that?’ ‘It’s a bodega.’”

Pacheco, Melara and co-owner

Mason Ham are all in their early 20s and have known each other since they were students at Wheat Ridge High School and Jefferson High School. They met through shared networks of friends and events like Sneaker Con. Ham and Melara also worked together at a sneaker shop with eventual part-owner of the bodega’s Denver location, Adam Wildenberg.

“It wasn’t a hard decision, especially when we’re all in it together,” Melara says of deciding

to join the franchise with his two friends. “We’ve got each other’s backs.”

And while sneakers aren’t edible and you can’t wear Doritos on your feet (or can you?), there’s a cultural crossover between the Bodega boys’ favorite ventures.

“With the sneaker community, there’s just a lot of exclusivity. There’s certain things you can and can’t get. I know a lot of people who are into not even just sneakers but collectibles, clothes — anything that’s scarce in numbers,” Melara says. “You know, ‘Let me find the best place to eat in every city.’ ‘Let me find the best snacks.’ They always tend to want the rarest.”

The shop is also a stoner’s paradise. A friend of mine, after trying the garlic baguette sunchips said, “I think I would like them better if I was high.”

“Yep,” he said, post-toke.

Though perhaps it’s best to visit the store before you’re in the throes of the munchies — a bag of chips runs about $7, but the shop offers a 15% discount for CU students.

The far-flung tastes also tend to draw students who have studied abroad, military families and international students, the owners say. And they’re always open to recommendations for new goodies.

Armani Pacheco, Abel Melara and Mason Ham (from left to right), co-owners of Boulder’s It’s a Bodega met in high school.

It’s a Bodega carries snacks from across the world.

Located just outside Boulder and nestled along the Coal Creek, Three Leaf Farm grows organic herbs and vegetables for our restaurants and tea company. 100% of our harvest is used in our restaurants and for our exclusive tea blends.

Mayor Maksud Ikramov of Dushanbe decided to present Boulder with a Teahouse to celebrate the establishment of sister city ties. More than 40 artisans in several cities of Tajikistan created the decorative elements of our Teahouse, including its hand-carved and hand-painted ceiling, tables, stools, columns, and exterior ceramic panels.

Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant is dedicated to creating an outstanding and creative dining experience.

Our Three Leaf Farm allows us to seasonally provide organic freshly harvested produce and herbs, free range eggs and strengthens our commitment to cultivating a more sustainably focused company.

The Dining Hall is the perfect place to go after a hike on the nearby trails, before a concert in the historic Chautauqua Auditorium, or anytime. Savor spectacular views from the enchanting wraparound porch at the Chautauqua Dining Hall while enjoying fresh, Colorado-bistro cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

“I also like the people that come in like, ‘Oh, you guys should try and carry this,’” Ham says. “It helps broaden our knowledge, because right now we’re just kind of going off what we either know is good or we’ve tried before.”

Melara favors the premium Hi-Chews. Pacheco is partial to Japanese peach Fanta. Ham’s favorite in the shop are sweet basil Lays.

“I don’t know what is up with them,” Ham says, “but they are so good.”

The shop is still bare bones, with selections of snacks on

each side of the narrow, below-ground space. Eventually, more shelves will fill the shop, and back rooms currently off limits for customers might open for private events. The owners hope to develop relationships with the university and host student art on the shop’s walls. All in all, they’re excited to join the ranks of Boulder’s small businesses.

“People definitely want stuff that’s in bigger cities,” Melara says. “Boulder’s got such a big name to it, it’s a nice city to be in. So I mean, just to see more businesses and other kinds of things — Asian restaurants, Salvadorian restaurants, stuff like that. It’s kind of cool to see the different things pop up.”

OTHER MARKETS FOR INTERNATIONAL SNACKS AND INGREDIENTS:

Pearl Convenience. 1640 Pearl St.

Silk Road Grill and Market. 2607 Pearl St.

Mediterranean Market & Deli. 2690 28th St.

Cuji Foods. 3340 Arapahoe Ave.

India Bazaar. 1542 28th St.

India’s Grocery. 2877 28th St.

Panaderia Sabor a Mexico. 2839 28th St.

Las 10 Americas Carniceria. 2887 30th St.

El Valle Market. 2887 30th St.

Carniceria La Zacatecana Mexican Grocery Store. 4483 Broadway

Asian Food Market. 2829 28th St.

LeFrigo. 5630 Arapahoe Ave.

Alta Cucina. 2021 Broadway

Did we miss something? Email us at nibbles@boulderweekly.com and we’ll add it to our online listing.

It’s a Bodega opened on The Hill in February.

‘Not sustainable’

Rising hunger strains area food assistance

BY SHAY CASTLE

When the federal government announced that COVID-boosted food assistance would end, Boulder County nonprofits knew things would get worse for the thousands of adults, families and seniors they serve.

The extra payments temporarily dampened demand. But hunger has returned to the Front Range, even worse than before the pandemic. Low wages and the rising costs of living have put more people in need.

“Pretty much anyone who works a service job in this area is also most likely a client of ours,” says Adi Wabisabi, president of Peak Abundance, parent organization of Nederland Food Pantry.

OUR Center, a Longmont nonprofit, had to start buying food because donations dried

up. Meals on Wheels Boulder is spending almost three times as much each month on food as it did in 2022. Visits to Harvest of Hope’s food pantry rose 95% between January 2023 and January 2024, on top of a 40% increase the previous year.

Under the mounting pressure, Marc Cowell, OUR Center executive director, said his and other organizations have discussed cutting back on services to stay financially solvent.

“The needs are through the roof,” Cowell says. “Our current path is not sustainable. There’s some tough decisions on the horizon.”

Indeed, starting April 1, Boulder-based EFAA will limit households to twice-monthly food bank visits, down from once weekly. The organization will also cap quantities of certain

food items, according to Food Bank Manager Walter O’Toole and Executive Director Julie Van Domelen.

“We are seeing unprecedented numbers of people coming to the food bank,” the pair wrote in response to emailed questions. “We are overwhelmed and running out of many food items at the end of each day.”

Here’s a list of the organizations trying to help — and how you can help them.

BOULDER FOOD RESCUE

What they do: Deliver donated, soon-to-expire and overstocked food (primarily fresh fruits and veggies) from 28-plus local businesses to area day shelters, food pantries and community centers, mostly by bike.

What they need: Money and volunteers. “For every $1 we raise, we distribute $5 worth of fruits and vegetables to people,” says co-director Hayden Dansky. Visit boulderfoodrescue.org/ donate or boulderfoodrescue. org/volunteer.

There’s also a food rescue organization in Longmont.Visit longmontfoodrescue.org.

COMMUNITY FOOD SHARE

What they do: Run an onsite food pantry at 650 S. Taylor Ave. in Louisville and mobile food pantries that travel to various community locations. CFS also provides food to other organizations, including some on this list.

What they need: Food and financial donations. Visit communityfoodshare.org/ ways-to-give to learn more

EFAA

What they do: Operate an onsite food pantry, mobile food banks (including pet food!) and monthly grocery pickup.

What they need: Food (find a list at efaa.org/donate/foodgoods), funding (give at efaa. org/donate/funds) and volunteers (email info@efaa.org).

HARVEST OF HOPE

What they do: Operate a noquestions-asked food pantry in Boulder. Some others require bills or leases to prove residency, which can exclude unhoused individuals.

What they need: Money. According to Executive Director Chad Molter, “each dollar can translate into up to $8 worth of food.” Food: “Bulk sliced sandwich bread, milk/alternative milks, eggs and frozen meats are consistently in demand,” Molter says. Volunteers: Visit hopepantry.org/help

SISTER CARMEN

What they do: This community center does a lot, including running a food pantry.

What they need: Food donations. You can drop food at 655 Aspen Ridge Drive in Lafayette (find most-needed items at bit. ly/42OOoEY), purchase products from SC’s Amazon wish list (bit.ly/48nTSb6) or host a food drive (bit.ly/3UNjAmh).

A volunteer with Boulder Food Rescue pedals through the snow with a delivery. Credit: Michael Benko

OUR CENTER

What they do: In addition to running a food bank, OUR Center offers breakfast Mondays through Fridays and lunch 365 days a year, with proof of residency.

What they need: Food (“anything and everything,” but especially fresh produce, dairy products, peanut butter and animal protein; drop-offs are accepted at 220 Collyer St. in Longmont), money (visit ourcenter.org/donate) and volunteers (call the front desk at 303.772.5529 and ask for Julie, Cowell says).

LEAF

What they do: Among other things, LEAF operates a food pantry and Meals on Wheels in Lyons.

What they need: Money. LEAF needs $500,000 to

finish renovating their new location. Give: bit.ly/donate-leaf

MEALS ON WHEELS BOULDER

What they do: Deliver meals to residents of Boulder and Gunbarrel who cannot shop or prepare their own meals.

What they need: Money and volunteers.

Visit mowboulder.org/give.

Separate Meals on Wheels operate in Longmont (longmont meals.org) and Lyons (leaflyons. org/meals-on-wheels)

PEAK ABUNDANCE

What they do: Among other things, Peak operates a food pantry and provides highquality produce and protein to clients.

What they need: Money. Visit nederlandfoodpantry.org/ donations.

A volunteer loads up fresh produce for distribution through Boulder Food Rescue. Credit: Lou Creech

Tastes of the state

Sync your calendar with a select parade of Colorado food and drink gatherings

BY JOHN LEHNDORFF

APRIL

BOULDER FARMERS MARKET AND LONGMONT FARMERS MARKET bcfm.org

8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays (through Nov. 16), 13th Street (between Canyon and Arapahoe), Boulder

8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays (through Nov. 16), Boulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont

Colorado’s best farmers markets open for the season on April 6 in Boulder and Longmont. The Boulder and Longmont markets feature only local growers, ranchers and food producers.

TASTE OF PEARL tasteofpearl.com

2-6 p.m. Sunday, April 14, Downtown Boulder

Welcome back the Pearl Street Mall’s premier culinary event after a three-year hiatus. Stroll to downtown shops and galleries to taste Colorado wines and bites from 15 Boulder restaurants ranging from Maine Shack to Pizzeria Alberico.

MAY

WEDNESDAY MARKET bcfm.org

3:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays May 1-Oct. 2, 13th Street (between Canyon and Arapahoe), Boulder

BOULDER CREEK FESTIVAL bouldercreekfest.com

Friday, May 24-Monday, May 27, Boulder Civic Area

Dozens of food stands and trucks offer tastes of diverse cuisines and treats at this classic event in Boulder. The Creekside Beer Fest on Saturday and Sunday features tastes from 20-plus Colorado breweries, wineries and cocktail makers.

JUNE

MANITOU SPRINGS COLORADO WINE FESTIVAL manitousprings.org

12:30-5 p.m. Saturday, June 1, Memorial Park

Send information about Colorado food events to: nibbles@boulderweekly.com

The Wednesday evening Boulder Farmers Market is a much more chill affair than its frenzied Saturday morning sibling. Enjoy live music, local beer and craft beverages, plus fresh produce and meals from the food court.

Besides the annual (and always sold-out) Colorado Mountain Winefest, this is the best place to taste the remarkable vintages emerging from the state’s award-winning wineries and vineyards. More than 30 Colorado wineries will be pouring.

VAIL CRAFT BEER CLASSIC vailcraftbeerclassic.com

Friday, June 14-Saturday, June 15, Lionshead Village

Escape the city summer heat for this annual high-altitude tasting of Colorado craft beers from Boulder County brewers like Westbound & Down and Wibby Brewing. Local spirits, hard ciders and seltzers are included.

LAKE DILLON BEER FESTIVAL coloradobeer.org/lake-dillonbeer-festival

1-4 p.m. Saturday, June 15, Dillon Amphitheater

It seems like there is a beer festival with food and music happening almost every summer weekend in Colorado. What sets this sipping event apart is a dramatic setting on the shore of Lake Dillon at the Lake Dillon Amphitheater.

KEYSTONE BACON & BOURBON FESTIVAL

keystonefestivals.com

Saturday, June 22-Sunday, June 23, River Run Village

What’s not to like? Spend two days sampling bacon, sipping bourbons and listening to rock cover bands. Family events are available for kids with a Piglet Pass.

JULY

COLORADO BREWERS RENDEZVOUS

coloradobeer.org

Saturday, July 13, Riverside Park, Salida

This is the gathering of the nerds, a sort of summer camp for brewers from 70 Colorado craft breweries sampling their best with views of the Collegiate Peaks.

CRESTED BUTTE WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

cbwineandfood.org

Wednesday, July 17-Sunday, July 21, various locations

A weekend during wildflower season featuring cooking demos, wine seminars, winemaker dinners and a Grand Tasting. Don’t miss the farewell s’mores gathering!

THE ORPHEUS MEADFEST

orpheuspcc.org

4-7 p.m. Saturday, July 27, grounds of Jefferson Unitarian Church, Golden

Forget about beer. Ignore cider. Taste the wide variety of honey wines made by Colorado’s large contingent of award-winning meaderies. The Orpheus Pagan Chamber Choir will perform drinking songs. An awards ceremony announces the winners of 2024 MeadFest Awards.

AUGUST

TOP TACO

toptacofest.com/denver

Thursday, Aug. 8, Westminster City Park

Unlimited tasting of dozens of taco varieties dished by local restaurants and food trucks. Vote for Top Creative Taco, Top Traditional Taco, Top Vegetarian Taco and Top Cocktail.

BOULDER TACO FEST

bouldertacofest.com

Saturday, Aug. 10, Boulder Civic Area

Festivities include lucha libre wrestling, live music, margaritas and tacos from local favorites including McDevitt Taco Supply, Mojo Taqueria, Torchy’s and Verde.

EAGLE MUSHROOM & WILD FOOD FESTIVAL eaglemushroomfest.com

Friday, Aug. 9-Sunday, Aug. 11, various locations

If your focus is on mind-altering varieties, this isn’t the mountain mushroom gathering for you. Some of the nation’s most notable mycologists and wild-food experts will be on hand for this annual focus on the culinary and wellness uses of fungi. Events include guided mushroom identification forays and a fungi-centered feast.

SEPTEMBER

DENVER FOOD + WINE FESTIVAL

denverfoodandwine.com

Wednesday, Sept. 4-Saturday, Sept. 7, Tivoli Quad, Auraria Campus

This is the real Taste of Colorado, a serious culinary celebration of the best the state has to offer. The 20 featured chefs at the Grand Tasting celebrate the diverse cuisines dished in local restaurants. The Shake + Brake Showdown is a mixologists’ cocktail competition coupled with bites from food trucks.

• Favored cyclist beverage: Coffee

• Favored cyclist food: Pancakes, bagel with cream cheese

Rest stops

A guide to pre-ride, mid-ride and post-ride food and drink spots

BY RAY KEENER

Ask a local long-distance cyclist: When you’re riding to a destination like Ward or Hygiene, is it the destination itself (“Just three more miles to The Mountain Fountain!”) or what awaits you (“I’m gonna crush a Magic Bar and a Gatorade so hard!”)?

Either way, we hope you discover a new source of rest and refreshment by pedaling out to these nine cyclist-friendly stores and cafes.

MID-RIDE REST STOPS

GOLD HILL GENERAL STORE AND PUB

531 Main St.

“A big part of the reason I purchased the store was to keep consistent hours for cyclists and always have a drink and cookie or pie available for them when they get up here,” says Whitey DeBroux, who has owned the general store for five years. “Many

of our employees are cyclists themselves, so naturally we are very welcoming.”

• Favored cyclist beverage: Mexican Coke, Eldorado Springs bottled water, Gatorade

• Favored cyclist food: The cookie or apple pie

• Facilities: Bike parking (A-frame rack in back, hooks on side of building) restrooms (two-holer outhouse in back and one indoor bathroom) and water for $1 per bottle

“There are no utilities in Gold Hill,” DeBroux says, “and we do not have a well. We have to truck up our water from Boulder, and all of this is very expensive.”

JAMESTOWN MERCANTILE CAFE

108 Main St.

Open since 1892, owner Rainbow Shultz says checking the website (jamestownmercantile.com) for hours is a good idea before head-

ing up. “We’re mostly here in the evenings and weekend mornings, so pack water if you’re riding up on a winter weekday morning.”

• Favored cyclist beverage: Mexican Coke

• Favored cyclist food: Pastries and weekend burritos

• Facilities: Bike parking, restrooms (“A bathroom inside when we are open,” Shultz says, and a porta-potty in the summer available at all hours) and free water — again, when the Merc is open. A water fountain across the street in the park is on from Memorial Day through the first frost.

MEADOW MOUNTAIN CAFE

441 Business Route Highway 7, Allenspark

“Cyclists are welcome,” owner Daniel St. John says, with a caveat, “as long as they respect all our other customers.”

• Facilities: Restrooms, water — available at the cafe, but most cyclists prefer water from the public spring up the road about 200 yards

THE MOUNTAIN FOUNTAIN

11809 N. 75th St., Longmont (Hygiene)

• Favored cyclist beverage: Skratch, Gatorade, espresso

• Favored cyclist food: Magic Bars, sandwiches made to order

• Facilities: Bike parking, restrooms (one indoor gender-neutral bathroom, two outdoor porta-potties) and water inside when the Fountain is open

Biking bonus: “We sell replacement tubes and CO2 cartridges and have a tire pump and a few other tools our cyclist friends may need,” owner Carrie Olson says. “We love our cyclist community!”

THE WARD MOUNTAIN EXCHANGE

62 Utica St.

“Riding up here is a major undertaking,” warns owner Shaz Swartz. “We believe in healthy as well as hearty fare for our hard-working cyclists. We’re paying special attention to sourcing organic and non-GMO foods.”

• Favored cyclist beverage: Espresso, coffee, smoothies, soda, ice cream, Skratch

• Favored cyclist food: Breakfast and lunch burritos, burgers and fries, pizza, chicken wings

• Facilities: Bike parking, restrooms (an always-open porta-potty) and mountain spring water available 24/7

“The Merc,” as it’s known far and wide, is a welcome sight after the eight-mile climb to Jamestown. Credit: Ray Keener

GETTING INTO GEAR

These businesses are popular preand post-destinations for rides

AMANTE COFFEE

Multiple locations; most bike-centric is 4580 Broadway in Boulder

Open since 2005, Amante is a popular starting point for group rides, including Wednesday Morning Velo. “We’re grateful that people came here for a ride and then developed a habit of coming to us,” says owner Jordan Karp.

• Favored cyclist beverage: Post-ride lattes

• Favored cyclist food: Scones, muffins, stroopwafels

• Facilities: Outdoor bike parking (no bikes inside), restrooms, water-bottle filler inside

FULL CYCLE CAFE AND BAR

(formerly The Tune-Up)

2355 30th St., Boulder

Seven years ago, “we started with a single beer tap and the desire to create a relaxed place for cyclists to hang out,” owner Russ Chandler says. “We’ve grown into a center for community activities, welcoming to new and expert riders alike.”

• Favored cyclist beverage: Beer (specifically IPAs), coffee drinks

• Favored cyclist food: Empanadas, soft pretzels, charcuterie in the evenings

• Facilities: Bike parking (multiple bike racks inside and outside the store) two indoor restrooms and water available during store hours

OUT-OFBOULDER EXPERIENCE

Looking for a canyon of a different color? Visit these good-as-gold spots run by Kathy Ott

WONDERVU CAFE

33492 Highway 72, Golden

Located at the top of Coal Creek Canyon, Ott says the cafe and its staff “applaud and love to serve the hardy cyclists who endeavor to conquer our hill.”

• Favored cyclist beverage: Espresso, Gatorade

• Favored cyclist food: Signature breakfast burritos, house-made cinnamon rolls, house-made pie

• Facilities: Bike parking, restrooms, fresh mountain well water available during business hours

CANYON TAVERN

32138 Highway 72, Golden

After you’ve conquered Coal Creek Canyon, stop in and celebrate on your way back down. “It’s a great place to enjoy the view while replenishing with some hoppy carbs,” Ott says.

• Favored cyclist beverage: Beer!

• Favored cyclist food: Pretzel bites, French fries, chicken wrap sandwich

• Facilities: Designated bike parking spots, two restrooms, water available during business hours

introducing fresh mountain sushi. to-go or to-stay.

Stuffed

Boulder is bursting with delicious dumplings

BY SHAY CASTLE

If a restaurant has a large, cross-cultural menu (think Cheesecake Factory or just about any Asian American restaurant) chances are it has at least one dumpling on it. Potstickers are a perennial favorite.

But the world of Asian dumplings is much more diverse than these menu staples would suggest. Gyoza, shumai, momo, xiaolong bao — each as delicious as they are different.

For the best dumplings, I usually travel out of the Boulder Bubble to Emperor’s Palace in Broomfield (6700 W 120th Ave.) for dim sum, which, it goes without saying, includes dumplings of every conceivable size, shape and filling.

While that will always be my favorite (I dream of the fried shrimp balls), so many dumpling shops have popped up lately that can sate my cravings closer to home. Here are the best:

NANA’S DIM SUM AND DUMPLINGS

1125 13th St.

If any place can make me question my allegiance to Emperor’s Palace, it’s Nana’s. Shumai, shaomai, red sea chili wontons, soup dumplings, shrimp dumplings, thumblings and traditional steamed or pan-fried dumplings in a number of flavors (veggie, shrimp and pork, chive and pork, chicken and corn, beef and cheese) — each one packed full and sealed tight.

The Boulder outpost of this Denver eatery is legit and open late: 2 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. It almost makes Boulder feel like a real city.

MASON’S DUMPLING SHOP

3060 Pearl St. Unit 112

The pan-fried (pork, chicken beef, fish and chive) and soup dumplings (steamed crab, vegan,

boiled cabbage, chive and fish) are equally delicious. Do not miss the seaweed salad; get a mound of it for only $8.

CHIRI’S MOMO DELIGHT

Food cart on the 1300 block of the Pearl Street Mall

Open seven days a week (weather-dependent) from March to December, Chiri’s welcomes hungry passersby beginning at 11 a.m. until they are sold out, owner Sanjay Nazir says.

Authentic, handmade Nepali dumplings (beef, chicken, vegetarian) are steamed and served with tomato chutney. Chiri’s also offers vegan “beef” and “chicken” dumplings.

GURKHAS DUMPLINGS & CURRY HOUSE

2525 Arapahoe Ave. Unit H5B

A side of the spicy momo dipping sauce is a must with an order of the regular dumplings, and it greatly enhances the already-delicious broth of the soupy johl momo. The chili momo were saucy and tasty enough to stand on their own.

Dumplings aren’t the main draw, but still worth ordering at:

FLOWER PEPPER

2655 Broadway

I literally licked the takeout container to lap up the last of the new sichuan spicy wontons. But the xiaolong bao (soup dumplings) and boiled, handmade dumplings in a variety of flavors (pork and leek, chicken and shitake, chinese leek and egg, pork and cabbage) weren’t bad, either.

SHERPA KITCHEN

5290 Arapahoe Ave. B

Try the tandoori momo: fried, tossed in a marinade, skewered and grilled. They are absolutely packed with filling (chicken or veggie) and served with a yogurt-y sauce that cuts nicely through the spice. Sherpa also has chili, johl and steamed momo served with a side of house-made chutney.

THEY DO DUMPLINGS, TOO

Boulder’s Dushanbe Teahouse does a dim sum tea twice a month on weekends. Drink oolong blends and sample house-made dumplings and other delicacies. Extremely popular, reservations can be made two months in advance: boulderteahouse.com/ dim-sum-teatime

The chili momo from Gurkhas Dumplings & Curry House. Credit: Shay Castle

Sweet rice shao mai from Nana’s on the Hill. Courtesy: Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings

Where to get that bread

Your guide to finding it fresh-baked in Boulder County

BY WILL MATUSKA

Humans started baking bread 14,000 years ago

At that time, our ancestors were transitioning from a nomadic way of life to settling in one location.

Bread was important then, and it’s important now. Boulder County has a bustling bread-making scene that continues traditions from some of the first prehistoric pastries. From Moxie Bread Co. (three locations are dotted around the county) to Babette’s in Longmont, there’s no shortage of spots for you to find fresh-baked bread that is unscientifically proven to exponentially increase happiness.

GREAT HARVEST BREAD CO.

2525 Arapahoe Ave.

This shop prides itself on baking simple but delicious breads for nearly 40 years using freshly milled wheat from Montana farms. Try the honey whole wheat, one of their most popular and signature breads.

SWEET SISTERS BAKE SHOP

641 S. Broadway

Sweet Sisters Bake Shop makes gluten-free bread from scratch and uses only simple ingredients, plus daily baguettes and recipes from Kim and Jake’s Cakes. Try it for yourself at their location in the Table Mesa Shopping Center.

LONGMONT

BABETTE’S BAKERY

2030 Ionosphere St.

Babette’s makes a variety of breads, including large sourdough loaves, on the southern edge of Longmont. The bakery doesn’t have a set menu; stop in to see what they have behind the counter.

THE MOUNTAIN FOUNTAIN

11809 N 75th St.

This gluten-free bakery specializes in focaccia and sourdough bread, but also serves other baked goods. Its allergen-controlled environment serves delights to the gluten intolerant among us at an affordable price.

As the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes wrote: “All sorrows are less with bread.”

Did we miss your favorite spot? We want to hear about them.Write to us at nibbles@boulderweekly.com.

BOULDER

BREADWORKS

2644 Broadway

Go to Breadworks for award-winning organic artisan breads. You can find one of their baguettes, batards, ciabattas, ryes and more on their website or at the farmers market.

Moxie Bread Co. Credit: Sue France

The Huckleberry. Credit: Sue France

PANADERIA GUANAJUATO

1630 Main St., Ste 104

This local bakery and lunch spot makes 25 different kinds of Mexican breads. Some are baked fresh daily.

LAFAYETTE

VULCAN MINE BAKERY

1740 Sussex St.

Despite being named after a local coal mine, Vulcan Mine Bakery’s loaves are made by hand in its solar-powered bakery. Everything under the roof of this home bakery, from rustic breads to celebration breads, is made to order.

BUTTON ROCK BAKERY

400 W South Boulder Road, Suite 2200

Button Rock doesn’t have a specific bread-baking schedule, but it makes various types every day including sourdough, ciabatta, French baguettes, fruit loaves and dinner rolls. The space also holds Kenny Lou’s Deli, an authentic Jewish and Italian deli.

LOUISVILLE

MOXIE

BREAD CO.

641 Main St., Louisville 4593 Broaday, Boulder 442 High St., Lyons

Sourcing local and regional heirloom grains and milling them on-site is one of Moxie Bread Co.’s secrets to crafting artisan breads, plus pastries and other baked goods. Find them in Louisville, North Boulder and Lyons.

THE HUCKLEBERRY

700 Main St.

The Huckleberry bakes glutenfree, banana, pumpkin, Zucchini and other breads in-house. Sweet breads are made to order, but there are usually gluten-free options on the ready.

BITTERSWEET CAFE & CONFECTIONS

836 Main St.

You might know Bittersweet Cafe & Confections for their sandwiches. But the bread for those sandwiches — including sourdough, cuban (made with pork fat) and traditional baguettes — is made downstairs. They will sell loaves upon request; just give them a few days’ notice.

Moxie Bread Co. Credit: Sue France

Sans suds

Boulder

County’s diverse tasting rooms go beyond beer

BY TONI TRESCA

Boulder County is often dubbed a haven for beer enthusiasts. But what about those who prefer something other than fermented starch water?

Luckily, the city’s libation landscape extends far beyond the realms of hops and barley. For those who yearn for something different, Boulder County offers a rich tapestry of tastes, from crisp ciders and ancient meads to artisan spirits, exquisite wines and a wide range of non-alcoholic options. This guide will help you navigate through Boulder’s best alternatives to beer, ensuring your glass is never half empty.

CIDER

Local cideries offer a refreshing alternative for those wanting to explore the world of artisanal fermented apples. Sometimes infused with other fruits, spices or botanicals, these gluten-free beverages can be tart, crisp, sweet or smooth.

ACREAGE BY STEM

CIDERS

1380 Horizon Ave., Lafayette

BOCO CIDERY & TAPROOM

1501 Lee Hill Drive, Unit 14, Boulder

ST. VRAIN CIDERY

350 Terry St., Unit 130, Longmont

THE OLD MINE

500 Briggs St., Erie

MEAD

Over a dozen Colorado establishments breathe new life into one of the world’s oldest alcoholic beverages. We’re lucky to have one locally: Redstone Meadery in Boulder.

Visitors to the East Boulder tasting room can sample Boysenberry Nectar, Passion Fruit Nectar, Juniper Berry Mountain Honey Wine and Traditional Mountain Honey Wine along with specialty meads made from different types of honey.

REDSTONE MEADERY

4700 Pearl St., Boulder

NON-ALCOHOLIC

If you prefer your pleasures without the buzz, Boulder County boasts a variety of establishments offering everything from calming teas and kava to herbal infusions. Perfect for meetings, studying or simply enjoying a quiet moment, these venues cater to a mindful drinking experience.

BOULDER DUSHANBE

TEAHOUSE

770 13th St., Boulder

BOULDER TEA HUT

907 12th St., Boulder

KU CHA HOUSE OF TEA

1211 Pearl St., Boulder

OLD BARREL TEA COMPANY

1647 Pearl St., Unit 1, Boulder

Courtesy: DV8 Distillery

THE ROOT KAVA CO.

1641 28th St., Boulder

TONIC ALCHEMY LOUNGE

2011 10th St., Boulder

WINE

Boulder County’s vintners prove Colorado can do anything California can. These local wineries cater to casual, informative sessions and more intimate, guided tours, offering a perfect blend of education and enjoyment.

AUGUSTINA’S WINERY

20 Lakeview Drive, #103, Nederland

BOOKCLIFF VINEYARDS

TASTING ROOM

1501 Lee Hill Road, Unit 17, Boulder

SETTEMBRE CELLARS 1501 Lee Hill Drive, Boulder

SILVER VINES WINERY 2015 13th St., Boulder

VINNIE

SPIRITS

Boulder County does booze almost as well as it does beer. With a focus on small-batch production, these award-winning venues offer a behind-the-scenes look at the distilling process and a wide range of spirits in a relaxed atmosphere.

ABBOTT & WALLACE

350 Terry St., Suite 120, Longmont

COPPER SKY DISTILLERY 110 Emery St., Suite C, Longmont

DEKI SPIRITS

802 S. Public Road, Unit E, Lafayette

DRY

DV8

HOGBACK DISTILLERY

SPIRIT HOUND DISTILLERS 4196 Ute Highway, Lyons

VAPOR DISTILLERY 5311 Western Ave., Unit 180, Boulder