FOOD TRUCK
McDevitt Taco Supply
3550 Frontier Ave., Unit A, 303-442-4130
Silver: Los Dos Bros
Bronze: La Pupusa Loca
Write-in: Temaki Tornado
Thanks to the wonderful proliferation of brewery, cidery and distillery tasting rooms in Boulder County, food trucks have become a favorite part of dining and drinking life. Our readers line up for tacos filled with chipotle beef, Thai ginger tilapia, buffalo cauliflower, Caribbean jerk, kimchi pork, and garlic and black pepper steak. McDevitt Taco Supply started as a food truck and now has a brick-and-mortar location in the Meadows Shopping Center, but the truck still delivers big taco flavors at Boulder’s Sanitas Brewing Co. and other locations.
ITALIAN
Carelli’s of Boulder
645 30th St., Boulder, 303-938-9300
Silver: Pasta Jay’s
Bronze: Il Pastaio
Write-in: Sforno
There has always been something about the food, service and atmosphere at Carelli’s of Boulder that makes us want to share it with family and friends. In naming it Boulder’s top Italian eatery, our readers voted for the perfectly prepared roster of classics from mussels and carpaccio to the pasta perfection of ravioli and angel hair aglio e olio. Whether they crave chicken piccata, chicken Parmigiana or lasagna, generations of University of Colorado students have built lasting memories at Carelli’s.
NEDERLAND RESTAURANT
Kathmandu Restaurant
110 N. Jefferson St., Nederland, 303-258-1169
Silver: Backcountry Pizza and Tap House
Bronze: Crosscut Pizza
The mountain terrain surrounding Nederland has proved to be the perfect site for enjoying Nepali and Indian fare. Kathmandu’s fragrant tandoori chicken, vegetable-filled samosas and lamb biryani is so memorable that our readers recommend it as the best dining experience in Nederland. Diners can find their bliss and experience a sweaty forehead if they order spicy lamb, fish or chicken vindaloo extra hot with basmati rice that smells like buttered popcorn. Explore Indian breads beyond naan, delights like puffy fried puri, ghee-brushed roti and pan-fried aloo paratha. If you can’t decide, visit the well-stocked lunch and dinner buffet.
ASIAN FUSION
Chez Thuy Restaurant
2655 28th St., Boulder, 303-442-1700
Silver: Japango
Bronze: Aloy Thai
Write-in: Folsom Thai
When it opened in 1993, Chez Thuy helped introduce Boulderites to authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Restaurant owner Thuy Le always added dishes she liked from China, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and Malaysia. Our readers know they can find great pad Thai, coconut curry, Chinese-influenced sesame chicken and larb from Laos besides the pho soup variations. Some craveables like the crunchy papaya salad are hard for any one national cuisine to claim. One of the most popular Asian fusion dishes on Chez Thuy’s menu is Malaysian seafood: shrimp, scallops and calamari sautéed with chayote squash, jalapeño and coconut sauce.
SANDWICH
Snarf’s Sandwiches
Multiple Locations
Silver: Moxie Bread Co.
Bronze: Organic
Sandwich Co.
There is no mystery why, year after year, our readers acclaim Snarf’s Sandwiches as serving the best between buns in Boulder. Start with great ingredients on oven-toasted loaves and a belief that comfort food is something we all need and love. Snarf’s favorite Italian sub is layered with salami, pepperoni, capicola and mortadella plus provolone. The signature side of the menu showcases an East Coast favorite: baked eggplant, marinara sauce, and three melted cheeses. Snarf’s Not-on-the-Menu choices include the German Dog, with bacon, melted Swiss, sauerkraut and pickles.
VEGETARIAN FRIENDLY
Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant
1710 Pearl St., 303-442-1485
Silver: Flower Child
Bronze: Fresh Thymes Eatery
Write-in: Meta Burger
When it comes to vegetarian and vegan fare, Boulder Weekly readers say that Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant’s meatless fare, using sustainably sourced ingredients, is next level. Dishes like calamari-style oyster mushrooms are substantial, flavor-forward and not missing anything. Global inspirations range from udon noodles with Szechuan-style vegetables and crispy tofu to Jamaican jerk-spiced tempeh atop black rice with creamy coconut plantain sauce. Leaf’s pastry chef treats diners with vegan carrot cake, “cheese”-cake and dark chocolate pudding. Weekends bring brunch comforts like house-made biscuits with mushroom gravy, huevos rancheros and blueberry pancakes.
TACO
T/ACO
1175 Walnut St., 303-443-9468
Silver: McDevitt Taco Supply
Bronze: Bartaco
Write-in: Summit Tacos
At T/ACO, it’s been Taco Tuesday every day since it opened. T/ACO’s single-minded devotion to its namesake dish in all its tasty variations has won the hearts and taste buds of our readers. How can you say “no” to braised guajillo pepper-marinated pork belly with pickled red onions, cotija cheese and cilantro in a fresh soft corn tortilla? There are at least 17 composed tacos on T/ACO’s menu, including braised duck with verde mole, but after you’ve tasted the carnitas taco with pineapple, grilled red onion and cilantro, you want it every time.
THAI
Aloy Thai Cuisine
2720 Canyon Blvd., 303-440-2903
Silver: Busaba
Bronze: Chez Thuy
Write-in: Jai Thai
With pad Thai options available across Boulder, why did our readers single out Aloy Thai as their go-to for Thai? Because Aloy Thai has always taken a more refined approach to creating and serving those curries, noodle dishes, fried-rice plates, soups and salads. Aloy’s elevated take on pad Thai packs the harmony of salty, spicy, sweet and savory flavors into a tumble of thin noodles, egg, bean sprouts, onion, peanuts and chopped tofu. Add your choice of meats, seafood or tofu.
CATERING
Blackbelly Market
1606 Conestoga St., 303-247-1000
Silver: A Spice of Life
Bronze: McDevitt Taco Supply
Write-in: Peckish
Boulder’s Blackbelly started as a caterer before becoming an award-winning eatery and market to bring chef Hosea Rosenberg’s cuisine to events and homes, businesses and great gatherings. Whether for a wedding, birthday, anniversary or business party, Blackbelly provides more than just fine food. Blackbelly works with the best local event planners, venues, florists, rental companies, photographers, bakeries and bands. Did we mention food? Blackbelly can serve everything from a sit-down multi-course New American feast to a casual backyard barbecue featuring Rosenberg’s New Mexico-influenced fare.
CHINESE
Zoe Ma Ma
2010 10th St., Boulder, 303-545-6262
Silver: China Gourmet
Bronze: Flower Pepper
Write-in: Double Happy
When our readers think about Zoe Ma Ma we know they’re having happy, hungry thoughts about all the tasty Chinese street food bites they’ve enjoyed there, like pork belly bao buns and pan-fried potstickers—traditional family dumplings with pork, shrimp and garlic chives. Hot summer days and long evenings call for the restaurant’s wonderful cold sesame noodles with tofu, vegetables and ginger-sesame dressing. Zoe Ma Ma owner Edwin Zoe’s insistence on superior ingredients and authentic recipes earned him a nomination this year as a semi-finalist in the James Beard Awards in the Outstanding Restaurateur category.
FOOD DELIVERY
Cosmo’s Pizza
Multiple Locations
Silver: Snarf’s Sandwiches
Bronze: Abo’s Pizza
Over the past few years, we’ve all become delivery experts as dozens of local eateries newly offered to bring everything from chicken korma to doughnuts to your doorstep. Despite all the food choices our readers now have, they didn’t hesitate to name Cosmo’s Pizza as Boulder’s go-to for food delivery. While the pizzeria had to close its 20-year-old spot at 1325 Broadway on the Hill, Cosmo’s’ many other locations guarantee the timely delivery of your hot Supreme, Greek Veggie, Hawaiian or Meat Lovers pies.
FOOD ON THE HILL
The Sink
1165 13th St., Boulder, 303-444-7465
Silver: Illegal Pete’s
Bronze: Cafe Aion
You won’t see Robert Redford sweeping up after lunch, but the 100-year history of The Sink is captured in caricatures and signatures on the walls and ceilings. Generations of students have enjoyed oceans of ice cold beer with a boatload of Sink burgers. These days Sink burgers include your choice of patties (chuck, veggie, chicken breast or grass-fed beef), cheese (American to goat), toppings (onion straws and sauteed mushrooms to guacamole and bacon) with all your favorite sauces and condiments. Other Sink classics include the Cowboy Reuben: smoked, marinated brisket, slaw, cheddar and chipotle barbecue sauce on rye.
GLUTEN-FREE MENU
Flower Child
2580 Arapahoe Ave., Suite 110, Boulder, 303-386-8090
Silver: Fresh Thymes Eatery
Bronze: Tangerine
Write-in: Ash’Kara
Going out to dinner with family and friends can be challenging given individuals’ dietary needs. The menu at Flower Child is full of bowls, salads and wraps labeled GF—gluten free. Bowls include the power-packed Mother Earth, featuring ancient grains, sweet potato, portobellos, avocado, cucumber, broccoli pesto, charred onion, leafy greens, red pepper miso vinaigrette and hemp seed. The stellar turkey and avocado cobb salad is topped with red cabbage, tomato, cucumber, crunchy corn, pickled onion, smoked almonds and gorgonzola vinaigrette.
ICE CREAM
Sweet Cow
Multiple Locations
Silver: Glacier Homemade Ice Cream
Bronze: Gelato Boy
Sure, Sweet Cow has the familiar kid favorites like vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, but the scoop shop’s devoted corps of fans go for the over-the-top flavor combinations. How about The Big Lebowski (churned with Kahlua and vodka), the vegan Thai iced tea or Larry’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Madness? That’s why our readers scream for Sweet Cow ice cream in a scoop, in a pretzel cone, or as the quintessential hot fudge sundae. The small batch, super-creamy varieties are churned fresh on site at shops in Boulder County, and dished out in Sweet Cow ice cream trucks at events and street corners.
INDIAN
Sherpa’s Adventure Restaurant & Bar
825 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-440-7151
Silver: Kathmandu II
Bronze: Tandoori Grill
Write-in: Little Tibet
Sherpa Pemba guided more than 20 ascents over 20,000 feet and for 20 years he had led diners to new flavors at Sherpa’s Adventurers Restaurant. Many visitors discover the momo, steamed dumplings filled with vegetables, beef or chicken with zesty chutney for dipping. The more adventurous will order Tibetan thupka with noodles, vegetables and yak meat. It doesn’t taste like chicken, but yak is tender and delicious. Make sure to get garlic and cheese naan to grab bites of creamy saag paneer. Sherpa’s shaded patio is a great place to chill with a beer or cool creamy mango lassi.
SEAFOOD
Jax Fish House & Oyster bar
928 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-444-1811
Silver: Sushi Zanmai
Bronze: Flagstaff House
In Boulder, landlocked hasn’t meant living without fresh fish for decades, especially since Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar opened. The restaurant’s devotion to sourcing the freshest seafood and serving it simply is only part of the reason Jax has won this category of the Best of Boulder for many years in a row. From the start, Jax has moved mountains to support sustainable wild and farm fisheries across the globe. Jax’s executive chef Sheila Lucero is a nationally recognized authority on seafood you can feel good about eating, especially those dozens of oysters Jax is famous for.
BARBECUE
Georgia Boys BBQ
250 Third Ave., Longmont, 720-999-4099
Silver: KT’s BBQ
Bronze: Lulu’s BBQ
Our well-traveled readers have sampled barbecue across the nation and when it came time to vote they named Longmont’s Georgia Boys as their favorite local barbecue joint. It’s easy to understand after tasting the smoky brisket, pulled pork and chicken, and mouth-grabbing sauces from Carolina Mustard to Sweet Heat. Frankly, we could make a meal just from Georgia Boys’ scratch-made BBQ beans, potato salad, mac and cheese, cornbread and sweet potato casserole. Want to taste almost everything? The family sampler boasts a full slab of ribs, meats including jalapeño-cheddar links, sides, sauces and Texas toast. Don’t forget the banana pudding!
BURRITO
Illegal Pete’s
Multiple locations
Silver: Efrain’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
Bronze: Santiago’s
Write-in: Loco Hermanos
According to our hungry readers, all burritos are definitely not created equal. Despite the competition in this category, they once again chose Illegal Pete’s as Boulder’s best Mission-style burritos. These champions watch the details, from the quality of the tortillas and fresh ingredients to making sure they are equally distributed along the full length of the burrito. The challenge is choosing the perfect build-your-own scheme between steak and cheese, pork carnitas with guacamole, and the crispy beer-battered fish burrito with slaw and salsa.
BUSINESS LUNCH
The Kitchen American Bistro
1039 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-544-5973
Silver: OAK at Fourteenth
Bronze: Boulder Cork
Write-in: Sanitas Brewing Co.
When you conduct serious business over lunch, the restaurant can make or break the deal with the food, service and atmosphere. Our readers say the best place in Boulder to eat and talk is The Kitchen American Bistro. One reason is the attentive and rapid service—a must when lunch is barely an hour. The Kitchen has always featured local and organic produce, meats and seafood on a lunch menu catering to carnivores and vegetarians, with a double-stack cheeseburger and a mushroom-and-leek quiche. Don’t miss The Kitchen’s hand-cut thin and crispy fries.
BAKERY
Moxie Bread Co.
Multiple Locations
Silver: Lucky’s Bakehouse
Bronze: Great Harvest Bread Company
Write-in: Dry Storage
It’s starts with 100% heirloom and ancient grains, milled fresh in-house every week, and a slow fermentation process, plus careful attention to baking. That loving attention to artisan breads and pastries produces the melt-in-the-mouth flavor that our readers love at Moxie Bread Co. The neighborhood bakery now has locations in Louisville, Boulder and Lyons. Moxie’s chewy crusted wonders include focaccia, ciabatta, Jewish rye, and Algerian farmhouse breads. We’d walk a mile for one of the chocolate croissants or the buttery, sugary, caramelized kouign-amman pastries.
FINE DINING
Flagstaff House
1138 Flagstaff Road, Boulder, 303-442-4640
Silver: Frasca Food & Wine
Bronze: Black Cat Farm Table Bistro
Write-in: Farow Restaurant
Most of the meals in our lives are forgettable feeding opportunities. A meal experience at the Flagstaff House is about escaping for a few hours, living it up and remembering every bite. With an unbeatable mountain-side location, extraordinary service and great cuisine, it’s clear why the Flagstaff House earned our readers’ votes. A four-course tasting menu can start with duck pate, move on to wild mushroom risotto with a main event of Alaskan halibut, and vanilla bean creme brulee tart finale. With a 6,000-bottle wine cellar the restaurant has a perfectly paired glass or a splurge-worthy bottle of Chateau Mouton Rothschild.
LYONS RESTAURANT
Oskar Blues Grill & Brew
303 Main St., Lyons, 303-823-6685
Silver: Mojo Taqueria
Bronze: La Mariposa
Write-in: The Stone Cup
You may have heard that Oskar Blues Grill & Brew was bought by a national company recently, but the Oskar Blues restaurants, including the original Oskar Blues Grill & Brew in Lyons are still firmly in local hands. For visitors, it’s worth the drive to acquaint your taste buds with Oskar Blues’ all-star flavor lineup, from jambalaya with sausage crawfish, shrimp, and chicken to the bestselling smoked prime rib sandwich with horseradish, grilled onions and mushrooms and Swiss plus savory au jus for dipping. The eatery still has Oskar Blues’ great brews on tap and live music on the weekends.
JAPANESE
Japango
1136 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-938-0330
Silver: Hapa Sushi Grill & Sake Bar
Bronze: Sushi Zanmai
Write-in: Osaka’s of Boulder
Sushi is wonderful, but there is a universe of other Japanese treats out there to discover. According to our readers, the best place in Boulder to find them is at Japango. Expand your flavor experiences by trying other Japanese favorites like tempura vegetables with dipping sauce, or wakame and hiyashi seaweed salad with soy vinaigrette. Noodle fans love the authentic spicy udon noodles with seafood, and regulars swear by the simple grilled salmon filet with sweet-salty teriyaki glaze. No matter what you order, Japango boasts an extensive list of sakes served cold or warm.
LATE NIGHT
Cosmo’s Pizza
Multiple Locations
Silver: The World Famous Dark Horse Bar & Grill
Bronze: Illegal Pete’s
It can be hard to find anything good to eat in Boulder after midnight besides microwaved burritos and Hostess pies at a convenience store. Thankfully, late-nighters always find the light on and classic thin-crust New York-style pies at Cosmo’s Pizza, available with all the toppings. Other late night and early a.m. fillers at Cosmo’s range from a calzone bursting with hot spinach, mushrooms, sun-dried tomato and cheese, to a Full Party Salad crowned with veggies, mozzarella and spicy ranch. When in doubt or a dense fog, the easy order is simply four breadsticks with warm nacho cheese dip.
PHO
Boulder Pho & Grill
2855 28th St., Boulder, 303-449-0350
Silver: Chez Thuy
Bronze: Black Pepper Pho
Write-in: Saigon Express
It wasn’t so long ago that there was no pho in Boulder County. Now there are a slew of shops dishing big warming bowls of the traditional Vietnamese noodle soup. Boulder Pho & Grill won out as our readers’ favorite slurping spot because it concentrates on the essentials, including slow-simmering bone broth for pho, whether topped with seafood, white meat chicken, or the big combo: rare steak, tendon and tripe. While most pho does involve meat, Boulder Pho also dishes vegetarian pho made with a rich vegetable broth and loads of chewy noodles garnished with fresh veggies, herbs and lime.
PIZZA RESTAURANT
Pizzeria Locale
1730 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-442-3003
Silver: Audrey Jane’s Pizza Garage
Bronze: Proto’s Pizza
Write-in: Barchetta
People who are serious about authentic Neapolitan pizza flock to Boulder’s original Pizzeria Locale. Since it is operated by the award-winning Frasca Food & Wine next door, the expectations are high for this classy neighborhood pizzeria. According to our readers, Pizzeria Locale is the real deal if you love Italian wood-fired pizza. The menu offers 12 “classics” ranging from the iconic Margherita with San Marzano tomato, mozzarella and basil, to the unconventional Mais with crème fraîche, prosciutto cotto, corn, fresh mozzarella and garlic oil atop Locale’s artisan, slightly charred crust.
APPETIZERS / TAPAS
Blackbelly
1606 Conestoga St., Boulder, 303-247-1000
Silver: Dagabi Cucina
Bronze: The Kitchen American Bistro
Write-in: Farow Restaurant
Chef Hosea Rosenberg has never been timid about using great spices, fresh herbs and big flavors so it’s no surprise that his Blackbelly restaurant earned our readers’ kudos where appetizers are concerned. The meal-starting menu tantalizes with New Mexico green chile posole and a rare meal and conversation starter: crispy fried pig ears with red pepper jelly. Tapas lovers gravitate toward grilled Spanish octopus with potato, fresh daikon and aioli with their pre-meal cocktails. Blackbelly’s popular happy hour snacks include marinated olives, house-made sausage, and house-made ricotta cheese with fruit compote and bread. Are you getting appetized yet?
PANCAKE/WAFFLE
Snooze: An A.M. Eatery
1617 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-225-7344
Silver: The Buff
Bronze: Walnut Cafe
Write-in: Waffle Lab
We’ve seen flights of geese over Baseline Reservoir and flights of wine and beer at Boulder County tasting rooms, but frankly, we’ll go with the flight of pancakes at Snooze: An A.M. Eatery in downtown Boulder. These are no ordinary flapjacks and syrup. Our flight of three large cakes would include the Blueberry Danish (lemony cream cheese filling), Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes (with cinnamon butter) and Sweet Potato Pancakes topped with homemade caramel, candied pecans and ginger butter. Whether you love pancakes or waffles, Snooze has vegan and gluten-free options so everyone can take off.
ORGANIC RESTAURANT
Flower Child
2580 Arapahoe Ave., Suite 110, Boulder, 303-386-8090
Silver: Fresh Thymes Eatery
Bronze: Leaf Vegetarian
Write-in: Farow Restaurant
Given Boulder’s long history of counterculture hippies and groundbreaking natural cafes and markets, Flower Child is a perfect name for our readers’ favorite organic restaurant. The small national chain goes all-in on transparency about its ingredients and its dedication to sustainability. Flower Child’s menu makes it possible for carnivores, vegans, those of the Keto or Paleo persuasion, as well as dairy-free and gluten-free diners to find a favorite bowl, salad or wrap. Since kombucha is not everybody’s cup of lemonade, the beverage options include organic wines and brews.
RESTAURANT DESSERT
Flagstaff House
1138 Flagstaff Road, Boulder, 303-442-4640
Silver: The Huckleberry
Bronze: Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
Write-in: Farow Restaurant
At the Flagstaff House, dessert is not an afterthought, it’s an exclamation point. The finale commences with wow-worthy coffee—really! It’s delivered with a tray of treats centered by whipped cream and surrounded by pastel chocolate mints, licorice, chocolate and various sugars. The pastry chef’s eye-catching creations can include vanilla bean creme brulee tart, or parsnip cake served with blood orange, kumquat, goat cheese mousse and sabayon. Break out the camera for the stunning candied apple Dacquoise with brown butter mousse, hazelnuts and rum cider syrup. The Flagstaff House always goes the extra mile to make birthdays sweet.
SUSHI
Japango
1136 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-938-0330
Silver: Hapa Sushi Grill & Sake Bar
Bronze: Sushi Zanmai
Write-in: Blofish
At Japango, sushi takes on many equally tasty forms, earning it our readers’ vote for the Best Sushi in Boulder. First, there’s sashimi: slices of raw, fresh salmon, yellowtail and other fish. The chirashi bowl tops sushi rice with sashimi or salmon roe. Japango’s changing menu of fish-topped nigiri bites isn’t all raw. Try the Kunsei (smoked salmon) or Hotate (grilled scallop) with a dab of wasabi. To impress your guests, order the Ama Ebi: sweet raw shrimp with heads still on.
PLACE TO EAT OUTDOORS
Rayback Collective
2775 Valmont Road, Boulder, 303-214-2127
Silver: Chautauqua Dining Hall
Bronze: Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
From its inception in 2016, the Rayback Collective was designed to host a sunny backyard party with cold craft brews, furry friends and an inspiring view of Flatirons. In the past two years, that al fresco community resource has proved invaluable to our readers, who happily chose the Rayback Collective as their favorite place to eat outdoors. A changing cast of the best local food trucks dish everything from burgers to banh mi to folks gathered to chat, sip espresso, listen to live music, play games or do yoga in the welcoming space designated as Boulder’s backyard.
EAST COUNTY RESTAURANT
Efrain’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
101 E. Clevland St., Lafayette, 303-666-7544
Silver: The Post Brewing Chicken and Beer
Bronze: The Huckleberry
Write-in: Farow Restaurant
East County residents and visitors love a good value that comes with big flavors and that’s what they find in the familiar warren of rooms of Efrain’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina Lafayette location. The platters under the servings of tacos, fajitas, enchiladas and burritos are covered with food. The hot tortilla chips and fiery salsa keeps coming and the Mason jar “coin” margarita with fresh lime juice is a generous pour. Hotheads also know that when they order their Mexican ribs, huevos rancheros or chile verde “hot,” they will break out in a happy sweat.
NEW RESTAURANT
Farow Restaurant
7916 Niwot Road, Niwot, 720-797-2023
Silver: Gemini
Bronze: Meta Burger
For a newcomer, Farow Restaurant already seems like a seasoned veteran. Farow’s changing seasonal dishes using locally sourced ingredients, its smooth service and comfy, casual vibe has drawn our readers to Niwot and their votes for Best New Restaurant. Farow’s happy hour features a first-class Buckner Ranch burger, hot-from-the-fryer hush puppies with green chile, and $6 glasses of wine. Farow’s menu includes shareables like fried green tomatoes and steak tartare and big plates of potato gnocchi or pork chops with polenta. Don’t miss chef Lisa Balcom’s classy sweets, like the Meyer lemon ricotta meringue pie.
TAKEOUT
Snarf’s Sandwiches
Multiple Locations
Silver: Aloy Thai
Bronze: Busaba
Write-in: Peckish
One of the greatest American food writers, James Beard, said it the best:
“Too few people understand a really good sandwich.” It’s not simply throwing whatever between two slices of bread. Jimmy Seidel—the “Snarf” of Boulder’s Snarf’s Sandwiches—has studied the art and comprehends what it takes to compose a great sub that you want to take home and appreciate. All day log, oven-toasted sandwiches, from the Italian to the prime rib and provolone sub, are marched out the door at Snarf’s in the hands of fans, along with entree salads, soups and desserts.
OVERALL RESTAURANT
Flagstaff House
1138 Flagstaff Road, Boulder, 303-442-4640
Silver: Blackbelly Market
Bronze: Jax Fish House
Write-in: Fresh Thymes Eatery
So many of our dining excursions are really just feeding stops with food that is quickly forgotten. The Flagstaff House is in the business of creating unforgettable experiences, whether it’s your birthday, anniversary or simply date night on the mountainside patio. When our readers took quality cuisine, over-the-top gracious service and a luxurious atmosphere into account, no wonder they named the Flagstaff House the Best Overall Restaurant in Boulder. Executive Chef Chris Royster and the Monette family continue a long tradition of excellence.
BREAKFAST / BRUNCH
Lucile’s Creole Cafe
2124 14th St., Boulder, 303-442-4743
Silver: Tangerine
Bronze: The Buff
Breakfast, lunch or brunch at Lucile’s Creole Cafe is like dining with an old friend who lives in an old house in New Orleans. We know generations of folks who’ve awakened on a weekend morning at Lucile’s house over buttermilk biscuits, house-made strawberry-rhubarb jam, sugar-dusted beignets and chicory coffee. The savory side of the menu features plates of zesty blackened salmon, crawfish étouffée and red beans with hot Louisiana sausage, eggs and hollandaise (and lots of Tabasco). Lucile’s six locations will soon be joined by a seventh café in Erie.
MEXICAN
Efrain’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
Multiple locations
Silver: Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant
Bronze: Jefes
Write-in: Mojo Taqueria Fuego
We all love tacos, quesadillas, fajitas and chimichanga’s but the next time you visit our reader’s long-time favorite Mexican eatery, why not explore some of the more traditional and corners of Efrain’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina large menu from blue corn chicken enchiladas to cheese-stuffed chile rellenos. Go traditional two ways: The iconic chile verde bowl is pork with lots of hot green chilies. Chile Colorado features chunks of tender pork swimming in a New Mexican-style red chile-infused sauce. Boulder gets even more Efrain’s when a spacious new location opens soon near McGuckin Hardware.
WINGS
World Famous Dark Horse Bar & Grill
2922 Baseline Road, Boulder, 303-442-8162
Silver: West End Tavern
Bronze: Mountain Sun Pubs & Breweries
Write-in: Busey Brews
The Dark Horse has always been serious about its wings. That’s why the Dark Horse wins the loyalty of our readers in a town where fried wings are on every bar menu. The best wings in Boulder are big and meaty with sauces ranging from hot and extra hot to barbecue, teriyaki and dry rubbed—or a combo. They come with blue cheese or ranch dressing and celery sticks because vegetables are good. Burger lovers may object, but it might be the wings that make the Dark Horse “World Famous.”
As anyone who has ever watched the opening scene of the film Saturday Night Fever knows, eating pizza as a folded over slice is a very different meal from those sit-down, fork-and-knife fancy pizzas. Since it first opened, Cosmo’s Pizza has satisfied the need for a slice at all hours. Slices can be topped with everything from pepperoni and bell peppers to anchovy and artichoke hearts and popped in a very hot oven. That’s why year after year our readers say that the slice is right at Cosmo’s Pizza.
CHOCOLATIER
Piece, Love & Chocolate
805 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-449-4804
Silver: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Bronze: Chocolove
Write-in: Chocolaterie Stam
Just enter into Piece, Love & Chocolate and you understand why this shop has a lock in this sweet category. You walk into a cocoa cloud and it immediately improves your mood. Then you notice there is chocolate everywhere—sipping chocolate, chocolate cake, bars and dozens of varieties of chocolate truffles, each a little work of art. Chocolate-robed truffle fillings range from caramel pecan and cherry cordial to a grown-up variety flavored with Avery Brewing Company’s Out of Bounds Stout. Imagine dark chocolate ganache infused with cognac over milk chocolate-encapsulated pop rocks that crackle in your mouth.
RESTAURANT SERVICE
Flagstaff House
1138 Flagstaff Road, Boulder, 303-442-4640
Silver: Mountain Sun Pubs & Breweries
Bronze: Frasca Food & Wine
It’s no revelation to anyone who dines in Boulder that many restaurants continue to struggle with providing great table service. Trained staff at has been hard to find and even harder to keep. Because of its long reputation for fine dining excellence, the Flagstaff House continues to find people to provide the kind of personal attention expected at a restaurant of this caliber. First-class food, wine and ambience are also important, but one of the great joys of dining there is actually experiencing good service from folks who enjoy the job.
PLACE TO GO ON A FIRST DATE
Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
1770 13th St., Boulder, 303-442-4993
Silver: Rayback Collective
Bronze: Jax Fish House
The same sense of wonder that has made the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse one of the city’s premier attractions may explain why our readers say it’s the best place for a successful first date. The place is so stunning that it relieves the tension. It’s easy to get distracted by the ornate hand-carved and painted ceiling or the many roses on the patio. Couples-to-be can share international treats including Indian samosas, Chinese char siu bao, Japanese crispy chicken karaage or North African-spiced cauliflower. For cultured courting, settle in classic British afternoon tea.
Winner Spotlight: Japango and the art of meraki
As restaurants fought to survive the pandemic over the last two years, Japango owners Jon and Erin Banis placed their focus on preserving the ethos the Pearl Street sushi restaurant was founded on: providing a memorable dining experience.
“Why I’ve always enjoyed the restaurant industry is, plain and simple, hospitality,” says Jon, who started as the general manager of Japango when it opened in 1999, and eventually took ownership of the restaurant in 2007. “Dining out is sometimes one of the simple treasures that people get on any given day. It’s good to see people at their highest times. But you also get to see people on their lowest days, when dining out might be the only bright spot of their day or week. So, for me, it’s just about providing an experience for people. That’s what we try to nurture. Hospitality, in its essence, is providing a memorable experience and taking care of people’s needs. That’s why I always loved it.”
It’s clear the Banis’ focus has paid off over the years, as Japango has won Best Japanese and Best Sushi for the last three years running. Before you even take a bite of melt-in-your mouth salmon sashimi or a mouthful of earthy Junmai-style sake, patrons can find immediate relaxation in the award-winning architectural design by acclaimed architect Scott Rodwin: a bright, open dining area, sushi bar and cocktail lounge, accented by warm Tiikeri (reclaimed sorghum stalk) and an otherworldly jellyfish tank. A back patio with a fireplace offers a cozy place to enjoy an evening with friends away from the hustle and bustle, while a Pearl Street patio offers some of the best people watching in town.
Above the sushi bar you’ll notice a collection of signatures: members of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Judo team who stopped into this iconic Boulder eatery.
But atmosphere will only take a restaurant so far without mouth-watering food and drink to bring patrons back again and again. Head chef Iwasa Yukiji has been crafting traditional and contemporary Japanese cuisine for Japango since the restaurant’s inception, while creative beverage director Stanley Usinowicz has been creating inventive cocktails and curating Japango’s extensive selection of Japanese whisky since 2013. Japanago currently maintains a staff of 65 employes.
“I think we’ve always tried to nurture a fun environment where people feel heard, and enjoy coming into work,” says Erin, who curates Japango’s sake offerings after taking in-depth courses on the rice-based drink several years ago. “When people come to dine here, you’re creating a vibe, you’re creating an atmosphere. We’ve always tried to translate that to our staff. We have a lot of respect for them, especially after COVID. It became more glaringly obvious that we are dependent on them to get through all this. And so we hope to nurture a place of mutual respect.”
Part of that respect involves providing customers with that memorable experience, which means all servers are educated on sushi and drink offerings, there are no QR codes in place of physical menus, and veteran employees like Yukiji and Usinowicz are on-hand to help guide customers through menu options.
“As far as quality, true traditional training, even though our menu definitely has a very contemporary twist, Iwasa (Yukiji) brings a very traditional approach that you don’t get to see a lot of places anymore,” Jon says. “You know, there’s a sushi restaurant on every corner these days, but you don’t necessarily get that type of experience behind the scenes.”
Indeed, Japanago characterizes the spirit of meraki, a Greek word with no English equivalent that means doing something with your soul, imbuing it with creativity and love
—Caitlin Rockett
Japango, 1136 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-938-0330
JAPANESE CUISINE
Silver: Hapa Sushi
Bronze: Sushi Zanmai
Write-in: Osaka’s
SUSHI
Silver: Hapa Sushi
Bronze: Sushi Zanmai
Write-in: Blofish
Winner Spotlight: Mountain Sun brewpubs slowly reopen, while the community shows its love through votes
When the original Mountain Sun Brewpub reopened on Feb. 4, Boulder could finally breathe a little sigh of relief. The Pearl Street icon had been shuttered during the pandemic for 23 months, but it never closed.
“There have been times in the past two years when I questioned whether we could keep going, but when we finally opened the doors at Mountain Sun on Pearl and saw people so happy, it was all worth it,” says Kevin J. Daly, founder of Mountain Sun Brewpubs. “We’ll make sure that place will always remain open.”
Boulder’s Southern Sun and Under the Sun Eatery & Pizzeria, and Longs Peak Pub &Taphouse in Longmont, are now also open. The Vine Street Pub in Denver remains closed.
Boulder Weekly readers have awarded Mountain Sun four Best of Boulder food awards as their favorite American restaurant, their top place to get burgers and veggie burgers and their choice for kid-friendly dining.
“We are so appreciative to the Boulder community for all the years of support. The love is mutual,” Daly says.
Mountain Sun’s reputation of great food and craft beers, comes from a simple fact: “I’m a foodie,” Daly says. “I like eating great food, but it wasn’t being served much at brewpubs when we opened 29 years ago. I wanted great food in a pub setting, and that includes burgers.”
One non-meat burger isn’t enough for diners at Mountain Sun so the menu offers a tasty black bean veggie burger, a garden burger, and meaty Beyond Burger patties along with long lists of toppings, buns and condiments.
“Everybody says they come to Mountain Sun for the vegetarian food but they’re really eating burgers. We source high-quality beef locally, and most importantly, we griddle them. They aren’t grilled so they’re juicier,” Daly says.
At the Mountain Sun’s roomier locations with patios, kids and families have always fit in with the boisterous vibe, friendly servers and comfortable furniture.
“We’ve always gone out of our way to make everyone comfortable in our places, and that includes families. It’s not a fancy place,” Daly says.
Daly is looking forward to celebrating Mountain Sun’s upcoming 30th anniversary with an event or music festival, and expects to ride through whatever comes next.
“It’s always been about community. As soon as people could gather, they did, and always will,” he says.
— John Lehndorff
MOUNTAIN SUN WON IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:
BEER SELECTION AT A RESTAURANT
Silver: Backcountry Pizza and Tap House
Bronze: Oskar Blues Brewery
AMERICAN RESTAURANT
Silver: The Kitchen American Bistro
Bronze: OAK at Fourteenth
Write-in: Farow Restaurant
BURGER
Silver: The World Famous Dark Horse Bar & Grill
Bronze: Blackbelly Market
Write-in: Meta Burger
KID FRIENDLY
Silver: Lucky Pie Pizza
Bronze: Noodles & Co
VEGGIE BURGER
Silver: Larkburger
Bronze: Leaf Vegetarian
Write-in: Meta Burger
