Regular Joe's Guide

Latest visit: Nov 2025 (Fillmore St.) First visit: Apr 1998 (Santa Clara, CA) HQ: Costa Mesa, CA; Founded: 1980 (Los Angeles, CA) ---11/7/25 (Colorado Springs) Now here's a blast from the past. My first experience with El Pollo Loco was in Santa Clara while there on a consulting assignment. Since that time, I've visited El Pollo Loco's in West Hollywood, San Antonio, Denver, Phoenix, and North Richland Hills. The latter arrived in NE Tarrant towards the end of our stint there. It was also not very good, and that location has been long closed. Other than that fateful visit, our trips to El Pollo Loco had been a success. I never penned any notes about any of those trips. They just recently opened up here in the Springs (turns out to be their 500th location!), so Mrs. RJG and I decided to give a try again. Let's see how it went. Even before leaving the house, we'd read that the parking situation was no bueno. We got there at 10:45 before the crowds, and had no issues. ...

First visit: Nov 2025 ---11/7/25 We try to visit Canon City at least once per annum, though this year we've only passed through. We decided it was time to visit our favorite Colorado getaway which is Westcliffe, and made a point to have some lunch in Canon City on the way. We don't really have a regular eating spot in Canon City, though we were pleased with Bunkhouse Burgers that we tried for the first time last year. In reviewing restaurants, the town sports a number of fetching bars in downtown, that feature fine food. But it was lunch time, and neither of us felt like a libation. Especially since we knew we were going to splurge on ice cream at Sugarlump in Westcliffe. Up came Canon City MUGS, a place that has a dual personality, and that aspect is not reflected well on Google Maps. Essentially what you have here is two distinct restaurants, shared by an open door and the same kitchen. One serves primarily coffee, breakfast, and lunch. The other is a classic sports bar setup...

Latest visit: Oct 2025 (Briargate near Chapel Hills mall) First visit: May 2011 (Glendale, CO) HQ: Salt Lake City, UT; Founded: 1997 (St. George, UT) ---10/31/25 (Colorado Springs) It's been 14 years since I first went to a Cafe Rio, and have subsequently forgot about the original experience. I've been wanting to get over here for well over a year, since they first opened here in the Springs. It's not too far from where we live, but I'm just never in this area during lunchtime. Today I made it a priority. Cafe Rio is in every way similar to another Utah chain that we've covered extensively here in the RJG: Costa Vida. Get in line, and your counter server will pull out an aluminum round tray. I ordered the Rio Burrito, so first comes the big floppy flour tortilla. Filled with rice, and choice of pinto or black beans. Then a protein, and I went with the Fire Roasted Chicken. Essentially grilled and spiced chicken, cut into cubes. Then they add a salsa. Followed by you...

First visit: Oct 2025 ---10/31/25 Seems every other visit to Albuquerque reveals a new favorite Thai place, and then we dismiss it on the second try. Hopefully that doesn't happen here. One of the best Thai meals we've experienced in a long time. I ordered my Thai Basil "Thai style" and received it exactly as hoped. Loaded with smoky ground chicken, rice, tons of basil and peppers, and very spicy. I laid off Thai Hot only because we were traveling, but it's apparent I would have received it that way. They also provide Prik Nam Pla, and I loaded up on those oily spicy red cut peppers. I miss those flavors. Mrs. RJG had the Drunken Noodles with chicken, and loads of vegetables. She loved it. The restaurant is cozy inside, with plenty of plants and vegetation. As expected, to-go orders seem to dominate the kitchen's time. Pad Thai Cafe resides in the southeast part of town. It sits in one of those strip centers that features an international grocery store and a J...

First visit: Oct 2025 ---10/11/25 A week ago Friday, Mrs. RJG and I decided to take a mountain drive and take in the beautiful Fall colors of the Aspen trees. As we gradually ascended from Woodland Park to Cripple Creek, the trees were as golden yellow as I've ever seen in my life. Blue skies, cool weather, and bright yellow trees. What a site to behold. Traffic was slow, which was great, so I could also enjoy the scenery as the driver. We agreed then that we must take this drive every year around this time. Though we've been to Cripple Creek a few times over the years, we've never stopped to do anything. They legalized gambling here in 1991, but that didn't matter to me when I first arrived in 1993. Neither of us are into gambling, so it's just a matter of stopping and finding things to do. You know, like thrifting and eating. Which is exactly what we did. They have a nice thrift store BTW. The highest rated restaurant in town is The Creek. Looked like the perfect ...

First visit: Sep 2025 (Voyager) ---9/14/25 (Colorado Springs) Paris Baguette is a global chain based in Seoul, South Korea, who prices their items like we all live in the 3rd Arrondissement of Paris itself. Look what I got for 17 bucks. That's right, a pre-made sandwich (that they heated up for me) and a caramel macchiato. The sandwich is made onsite, and is actually quite good. Excellent bread and the ingredients were of a higher grade. But not that much better. I just cannot understand the economics of these places. If they charged a reasonable amount, say $10 or $11 (which is inline with other places I frequent), then I'd be a regular visitor. You have me in the door already, why chase me away? Think about it. Already on my second visit, you have 20 of my dollars. The employees and the food costs are already built in. By the third visit, you now have $30. And on it goes, where the profits and, more importantly revenue, continue to rise. The money is in the multiples. This i...