Pecan Sticky Bun
Lucky’s Bakehouse and Creamery, 3990 Broadway, Boulder, luckysmarket.com/stores/luckys-bakehouse-creamery
This’ll get the blood flowing in the morning. Jennifer Bush’s excellent lineup of pastries at Lucky’s Bakehouse includes a pecan sticky bun, which consists of a chewy cinnamon bun “topped” — sticky buns are typically baked bottom-up and flipped — with crushed pecans and a brown sugar glaze. The crunchy pecans and soft, dense cinnamon bun make for a pleasant bite, but what’s remarkable is the sticky bun isn’t too sweet. That is, you could probably have another. $3.99.
Chicago-style Hot Dog
Mustard’s Last Stand, 1719 Broadway, Boulder, mustardslaststandcolorado.com
Oh, they don’t make places like Mustard’s Last Stand anymore. What a gem in downtown Boulder. Walk into its cozy confines, order a dog, chili dog, Italian beef sandwich, burger, what-have-you, and in minutes it’ll slide across a counter from the kitchen to you. Its classic Chicago-style dog has all the trimmings and no frills. A Vienna Beef frank is topped with mustard, relish, white onions, tomato slices, pickle spear, sport peppers, celery salt and sauerkraut. It’s everything you want it to be. $4.59.
Pan Pizza
Oregano’s Pizza Bistro, 2690 Baseline Road, Boulder, oreganos.com
Where there was once was a Beau Jo’s in Boulder, now there’s an Oregano’s. The latter runs with a similar concept to the building’s former tenant — big, ol’ pizzas served in a fun atmosphere — but there are some key differences. Oregano’s, for instance, hangs its hat on its deep-dish ’za. The pan pizza has a thick, sturdy crust that’s lighter and flakier than it looks. The star is the balance of bright tomato chunks and uber-rich Wisconsin mozzarella cheese. $15.99.
Chicken Curry
Little Tibet Restaurant and Bar, 4479 Broadway, Boulder, littletibetrestaurant.com
A lot of restaurants have come and gone in the spot that once housed North Boulder Cafe, but we’re glad it led to Little Tibet. It serves modern takes on Himalayan and Tibetan classics, from momos to samosas; noodle bowls to saag and curries. It’s from that last category we most recently ordered — a heaping plate of tender thigh chicken meat in a tomato-based and abundantly spiced curry. We’re excited to explore the rest of this menu. $11.99.
