Hacienda Colorado ~ Colorado chain : Colorado Springs

Latest visit: May 2021 (Colorado Springs)

First visit: Dec 2002 (Lone Tree)

Hacienda Colorado is part of the Uncle Julio's chain that we've written about before in our various visits in the DFW area. Our first experience with Hacienda goes way back to the waning days of our time living in the Denver area. We enjoyed the experience but were to never return, as we moved away a month later. Today there are 6 locations, 5 in the Denver area and one right here in our current home base.

Hacienda Colorado is near the top of fine Mexican dining, at least if considering location and prices. It's an enormous structure, with multiple rooms, a full bar (upstairs and downstairs), as well as outdoor seating on that second floor. We walk in, and were promptly seated in a quiet side room. In our first visit to this location a couple of years back, we sat at the edge of the terrace, so as to not be in the sun, but still enjoy the breeze and beautiful views. 

Chips and salsa come out right away, and after scanning our phone to get the menu (not real high on this idea BTW - it was fine during the pandemic, but the whole "surfaces" thing was always a stretch, and now it seems like a cheap way to avoid providing written menus), we were prepared to order. Mrs. RJG and her official Mom had fajitas for 2, and I went for the New Mexico hatch green enchiladas with shredded chicken. Margaritas is their specialty, and I had one on our first visit, and it was excellent. But the RJG has sworn off any kind of hard alcohol (never was much for it anyway, beyond margaritas), so I settled on a Dos Equis Amber. The beer list is limited to Mexicano brands, and they don't have wine (surprisingly for a place like this). I think they should offer some craft beers, but whatever. So... the chips. They are the very light crispy kind - like what you get at Chili's. So basically when you dip the chip into the salsa bowl, it breaks into said bowl. Yee hoo. The red salsa that is offered is quite good, a very garlicky number guaranteed to keep you alone all night. We asked if they had a hotter one, and sure 'nuff they do! Out came a very similar looking, but different tasting, habanero sauce. It's very sweet, but does pack a punch. Mrs. RJG & I both preferred the regular table option. As for the meal, nothing sounds better than sizzling platters of fajitas on arrival. And my dish was dropped off inconspicuously. So I dig in - the cumin spiced rice is excellent. The beans come in a bowl, and are soupy, so I needed to ask for a spoon (how else was I supposed eat it I wonder?). It was... OK. The green chili enchiladas were good on the whole, I enjoyed the seasoned shredded chicken, but the green chile sauce was ultimately a tad bland. Mrs. RJG seemed to enjoy her meal (her official Mom always enjoys her meal), and I tried the grilled chicken and carne asada from her plate, both were very good. At $38, one has to question the value though.

So what do we think? Well... it certainly is very good, won't say different. Seems like a good place to go with a group of friends or co-workers. Especially the latter - if the company is footing the bill. But otherwise not a place that we need to frequent.

12/1/02; 8/17/19 (new entry); 5/30/21

Doug's Breakfast Lunch ~ Colorado Springs, Colorado

First visit: May 2021

Right before the pandemic hit, I got word that Doug's serves up a mean New Mexican breakfast. Well then, turn on the light for this moth won't you? Then things shut down, and we put the RJG on hold for a few months. Then one fine Monday morning a few months ago we went over, and they were closed without notice. Some family emergency. No problem. The next two times we wanted to go, we looked online and they were closed - and closed again. They seem to close on random days. Jeez. Well finally I timed a visit correctly. Walk in, waitress sits you down, order some coffee with vanilla creamer and we're ready to rumble.

No question what I'm getting - three egg burrito, stuffed with carne adovada. Smothered Christmas. I mean seriously, as if I was going to order something else. While waiting for the food, I observed the location. It's broken into 3 vertical sections with tables and booths in each. No counter seating which I like for breakfast, but that's OK.

To point out - the burrito is $11. So either it's grossly overpriced or it's giant. And the good news is...

Yea, look at that bad boy. I like to eat an early breakfast so I enjoy my dinner around 6. Here you can eat an early breakfast - and wait until tomorrow to eat again. So I did my ritual - flipped the dish perpendicular (as you see it) and started on the green. It's good - I would prefer more spice, but yes, it's good. As is usually the case, I wish they would smother it more. It gets dry by the end of the half portion. Also, it wasn't quite hot enough. It really needs to be blazing so it lasts the entire meal. So that by the time I got to the red, it was cool. If Mrs. RJG was with me, she would have been upset. I'm more tolerant of such things. The red was delicious all the same. Again, a bit more spice (and sauce) would have helped, but the flavor was there. Best New Mexico red chile I've had in Colorado. Which is not the same thing as saying the best New Mexico red chile. 'fraid to say, you still gotta haul yourself south a few hours for that.

Service was exceptional - it's a family affair so everyone plays their part to perfection. I'll be back for certain, want to try some other menu options.

5/29/21 (new entry)

Colombo's Italian Restaurant ~ Elkhart, Indiana ***Temporarily closed***

Colombo's pizza. When I think of the classic mid-crust pie that I grew up with, there's a picture of a Colombo's pie in my head. And nostrils, taste buds, stomach, etc. This is a full-service, sit-down restaurant that also caters, serves wine & beer, will offer you a salad prior to pizza, etc. There are pasta dishes, sandwiches, appetizers, desserts, veal, seafood... the whole nine yards. But for me, it's all about the pie.

Prior to learning about razor-thin NYC slices and 2-inch thick Chicago pans, the only pie I knew was what I call the mid-crust Elkhart pie. It's a bit more substantial, and as a result of the heftier base can handle a heavier load of toppings. If you get a larger slice of Elkhart pie, one slice might be enough for most appetites. For years I would tell people that I never had a pizza elsewhere that would crack the top 5 in Elkhart - and I only stopped saying that when I no longer had 5 Elkhart places that I frequented. Those that remain are still rock solid, and Colombo's is still my go-to.

My fave here (like most pizza joints) is a straight pepperoni sausage mushroom pie. They have a wide range of sizes - from 9" personal pie up to a mammoth 20" jumbo. I generally go with 16" when ordering for 2-4 people (or even just myself, because - duh - LEFTOVERS!) Adding 3 toppings means you'll have a pie probably 3/4 of an inch thick, with a nice red sauce, ample meat & cheese - not doughy by any stretch - and you'll be full (but will still want one more slice).

Incidentally, Colombo's has a sister restaurant - I believe another branch of the same family - called Da Vinci's on the other side of town (northside by the toll road rather than SE side for Colombo's). At one point I sampled each and found their fare to be similar; would be curious if that is still the case 20+ years since my last Da Vinci visit

- Rude Dante review

(ed: a new style is born! See labels... Oh - and if your logo has the Mustache Pete with the chef's hat and he's making the A-OK symbol, you're golden! You go there no matter what you hear.)

Rude would also like you to know that Lucchese's Italian has closed (a place I went some 17 years ago based on his recommendation) as well as Riverview Tavern (Ma's Place) in nearby White Pigeon, Michigan (which appears to have closed in 2013).

Iechyd Da Brewing Company ~ Elkhart, Indiana

First question asked is usually, 'how do you pronounce that shit?' I have heard, generally, a Canuck or Scandinavian first syllable (Yah, you don't say!), followed by something like, 'kid-da'. Clearly I don't know. Second question immediately follows first: "What does it mean?" Ditto previous plea of ignorance (although it shouldn't surprise you to learn it is Welsh. Oops, I slipped.)

Here's what I do know. These guys make a pretty good and pretty diverse batch of beers for a town of 50-70k residents, and they pack in a loyal crowd of patrons even on what are normally slow weekday lunches. It's one of the few places that I like to start with a flight, because you'll find quality from the lighter blondes & pilseners right through to the pales, IPAs, Scotch ales and Stouts. There are certainly some I like better than others, but have not had a bad one yet.

Here's the other thing I know. Many breweries here in Colorado eschew food in favor of food trucks. Iechyd Da has a solid kitchen with limited but high quality grub. Mainstays are pizzas, small plates and salads - plus a sandwich or two. All are excellent in my experience.

Would also recommend taking a growler or a crowler for later ruminations.

- Rude Dante review

(ed: later ruminations!)

Greg's Volcano Pizza ~ Elkhart, Indiana

This one will get a knowing look from any Elkhart native, as well as those who may have experienced it in other locales (there was a Volcano in Bristol, TN for many years). My short synopsis: great take-out greasy pizza if you are into that kind of thing. And I am into that kind of thing!

Not sure when Volcano first opened, but it was there for as long as I can remember, and I have lived in or been a frequent visitor to Elkhart since the early 70s. (Confession: resorted to a web site check. They have been doing it since 1957!)

There are a very few, non-exclusive schools of faith at Volcano:

Pizza
Sandwiches - hot
Sandwiches - cold
Other

For my part, I've been a believer in a sandwich and a pizza. Hot sandwiches dominate - presuming you will be eating right away, but cold sandwiches are a nice option for a road trip. My go-to sandwich is a hot italian sausage and cheese. Others in my circle of acquaintance favor the hot meatball & cheese, while still others are fans of the italian beef. The only cold sandwich for me would be the ham & cheese (which is also lovely hot).

(There is a veggie sandwich on the menu, about which I will say nothing.)

For the pizza, I seldom stray from the top 3 on their ingredients list (pep, saus & mush), and I generally go for a large one even if it's just for me. Hello, leftovers? Crust is thinner than most in town, and signature cut style is one bisecting cut with thin slices cut perpendicular to the initial cut. Debate rages between the outer pieces (more crust) versus the middle ones (maybe 1 inch +/- of crust). Ample cheese, spicy but not overpowering red sauce, and the sausage in particular imparts a character that cannot be beat. Greasy? Of course!

In the 'other' category, they have some salads, and I am never averse to a salad with my pie and/or sandwich. They also list spaghetti on the menu: I have no idea if it's any good. And there are bread sticks, same comment.

No seating - just takeout, and only soft drinks available last time I was there.

- Rude Dante review

(ed: gotta like a place that advertises "Italian" spaghetti, as if there's another kind... love it!)

The Vine ~ Elkhart, Indiana

Rude Dante has gone nostalgic, and takes us back to his childhood home. Let's see what he recommends (or doesn't)...

NEPOTISM ALERT: Dante's sister owns the joint.

The Vine has been a standby in Elkhart for 10+ years, however it has been 'under new management' for the past 5-6 years. In a town famous for really good Italian chow, this place brings a bit of variety not often found in a small- to medium-sized city in the Midwest.

Rather than a specific dining recommendation, this will serve instead as a guidepost for those who might wander in and wonder what to get.

For starters, the bar has a great set of interesting and varied custom cocktails that rotates seasonally. I'd recommend a libation before dinner at the bar if that is an option.

Outdoor patio seating is especially appealing late spring to middle fall. At other seasons, tables are split between the front / bar area, back dining room or the wine cave (a small dining room that seats 6-8 comfortably at the back of the back dining room).

Wine list is short, sweet and eclectic. A couple better options usually include a barolo or brunello di montalcino - have been known to hit on these during most visits.

My dining experience has generally been for dinner, though I have enjoyed on or two nice lunches as well. Steaks have been great and well prepared, and there is usually a decent selection of seafood on the menu (walleye in summer is my personal fave). A variety of salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes, and artisan pizzas round out the menu, with appetizers & desserts to accompany if desired.

Chef and staff have been pretty consistent since reopening after the ownership transition, so quality of food and service is consistently good.

- Rude Dante review

De Gennaro ~ New York City, NY

De Gennaro occupies the location formerly known as Umberto's Clam House - famous for Crazy Joe Gallo mob hit in the early 70s. Although this was technically an afterthought upon finding Puglia and Vincent's to be closed on a Wednesday night (COVID hours - ugh!), was pleased to find a likely place at the corner of Hester and Mulberry.

Past experience in the area had me thinking parking might be an issue. For whatever reason, COVID or otherwise, I parked right in front of our original destination and did not even have to pay to park (arrived just at 7 pm.)

Service was prompt, ordered a glass of chianti, caprese and seafood fra diavlo with linguini. Colleague ordered an alfredo with chicken. Both were satisfied with our meals, but I would not walk past scungili in hot red sauce from Vincent's or Puglia to return here (ed: the RJG remembers those days!).

Will likely have reason to try other places in what is left of Little Italy in future; no need to return here (but glad for the historic visit).  

- Rude Dante review

Gianna's ~ Carlstadt, New Jersey

For my last night in NJ, I visited the restaurant next door to the warehouse / DC that I had been supporting for 3-4 weeks. Although this was my first time inside the doors, we had takeout from here 2-3 times during hypercare, and it was always good. Seemed appropriate that I pay my respects before leaving town.  

Historically, my standby dish in a mama-papa joint has been chicken or eggplant parmesan (hopefully a combo if they are flexible). Have always liked seafood but am not usually a big shrimp fan. On this trip I ventured to shrimp parmesan a couple times and found it to be quite lovely. 

Gianna's started me with chianti by the glass, a small wedge salad, and shrimp parmesan with fra diavlo rather than marinara sauce. A healthy chunk of warm Italian bread with butter came out with the salad. Could not resist a slice or two! Salad was a small wedge with ample blue cheese crumbles and dressing, grape tomatoes and a sprinkling of bacon (which indeed makes everything better). Quick assessment of entre: sauce was tasty but not overly spicy, shrimp were excellent, penne pasta al dente (though, regrettably, boxed rather than homemade). Skipped dessert / coffee as there was no need to make staff linger on a slow night.

I sat at the bar and - other than a private party upstairs - had the place to myself at 8:30-9:30 on a Thursday evening. Bartender was out of work commercial real estate with an interesting accent (claimed to be Irish, I think?) Also got guidance from manager or owner - large-ish gal who claimed to have been there 20+ years. It's always a good sign when the proprietor is more robusto than panetela, methinks.

A good place, but not the kind of place I'd drive a half hour out of my way to revisit. However, if I was ever leaving a Giants or Jets game and wanted a bite to eat close by, this would certainly be on my list of places to consider.

- Rude Dante review

Dolphin Restaurant ~ Yonkers, New York

As this was my first foray into Yonkers (ed: very first home of the RJG - no recollection of it though), I arrived with no expectations or illusions about where we were going (another option was Xaviars - same general area). Arrived a bit before my guest on a rainy Wednesday in May. Between breaks in the weather, this location has stellar views of GWB to the south. Location is on a round-about that abuts the Hudson. Ordered a bottle of white wine as the menu favors fish (with quite a few other options, but the seafood dishes all looked good). Started with some clams in garlic / butter with crusty sourdough bread. Dinners were Branzino for Greg, seared Salmon for me - BOTH were amazing! Split some kind of dessert and an espresso for the drive back to NJ - excellent dinner. Would be curious to try Xaviars or wander the neighborhood next time, but elements precluded much exploring this night. Fancier than my typical RJG entry, but not by any means stuffy.

- Rude Dante review

Rue 57 ~ New York City, New York

Rue 57, on 57th just a bit south of Central Park. Not one of those places that distinguishes itself much other than that it does a pretty decent job of mimicking an eclectic Parisian café without going all snooty and high-brow. We tried this place, frankly, because one of us was badly hung over (and the other was in similar straights, although to a lesser degree). We ordered without much fanfare and had a decent burger, couple beers and a tuna tartare - all quite good. Professional service, prompt meals, good quality - just not a memorable / special place that I would seek out again. 

- Rude Dante review

Crave Fishbar ~ New York City, New York

If we were playing Jeopardy, the correct response to this place would, "where is the best oyster happy hour in Manhattan?" We walked to Crave from our hotel on the south side of Central Park without making reservations. Pleasantly surprised to find no wait, immediate seating, and pretty prompt service around 6 pm on a beautiful Friday at the end of April. Waiter managed to get us happy hour prices on our oysters even though we seated slightly after the cutoff. We started with a couple cocktails with our oysters, then decided full-on dinner was called for - Faroe Islands salmon for T, Yellowtail for me.  Excellent bottle of wine - Solo (tinto) Aranleon Syrah 2018 - recommended by waiter when the bottle I had picked proved to be out of stock. Service and food were exemplary, not outrageous prices, but expensive in the way you sort of expect NY to be expensive. Waiter (like most, though not all care to admit) proved to be an entertainer who had worked on traveling Broadway shows, and was familiar with our Denver venues & surrounding area. One of the more enjoyable seafood experiences I've had lately (but would not take my beef-lover friends there).

- Rude Dante review

The Kebabci ~ Wood-Ridge, New Jersey

Picked as an alternative to Italian - from which we all need a break from time to time! Went inside to order, rather than trying go to pick from their menu. Waiter (presumably) asked me a few questions then directed me to the Adana Kebab, which comes with rice - and I added a salad. Dinner was to-go for a variety of COVID and unrelated reasons. Excellent dinner, just the right amount, enjoyed every bit. Pretty sure they have no liquor license, so options to pick up a bottle or six-pack at nearby Meadowland Wine and Liquor - for dine-in or take-away - completes the deal.

Excellent Med option, would go back in a heartbeat.

- Rude Dante review

Natoli's Italian Deli ~ Secaucus, New Jersey

OK what Natoli's is not, is a place to go and have a sit-down dinner (at least not when I was there in the dog-end of COVID restrictions). Natoli's shows as one of the better recommended pizza joints on yelp and what-not, so I decided to give it a whirl. I arrived and found a deli counter with a couple tables where people generally milled around waiting for their take-out orders rather than eating there. I ordered my stand-by favorite pie: pep/sausage/mushroom, with a salad to go. 

Pizza is not your prototypical paper-thin crust, nor is it the wood-fired variety more recently trendy, and certainly not a pan pizza. Actually it was a good approximation of some of my favorite Elkhart, Indiana pizza joints (Colombos, for instance, maybe Big John's or Michaels). Salad was fresh and crisp. And I was intrigued with many other options on the menu that I saw people coming to take away: sandwiches, pasta, meats, etc. 

Only had the one meal here, but it was quite good. Pizza later passed all standards for leftover pie (must be good cold for breakfast as well as reheated).  Be prepared to pickup a bottle of wine or a six-pack and you'll be all set!

- Rude Dante review

Basilio Inn ~ Staten Island, New York

Basilio Inn is on Staten Island, spitting distance from the Verrazzano Bridge. On a dead end. With a grass / dirt parking lot. And it has been there forever (website describes them as the oldest restaurant on Staten Island, 100 years old as of my visit in May 2021). If there is a joint that merits the whole RJG in the 5 boroughs, this may actually be IT.

My visit was at the suggestion of my guest, Abigail, who I have known for 20-some years and knows my loathing of all things Olive Garden and my relish of all things mama-papa. She described it to me as, "really old", with a dash of 'dead-end street' and 'gravel lot'. She also informed me that Staten Island is the "largest Italian city outside Italy" - something that I have no desire to fact check but will take on faith. Other positive indicators: no web reservations, closed Monday, and had to wait for noon Tuesday when they reopen to call and verbally get a reservation.

We've had false positives before (RJG and I were truly buffaloed once outside Trenton NJ (ed: a true story - Feb 1999 in fact)), so I try to keep my expectations tempered when going someplace like Basilio. But all the signs look positive.

I arrived early, partly anticipation, but a pleasant surprise in not having bad traffic from my location near the Meadowlands across the Goethals to SI. There were some good articles on the wall, and I found myself wondering what I might get for dinner. Was hungry but not starving.

Got seated, took in the wine list and perused the menu, made no decisions. My guest arrived and we ordered a bottle of wine per the waiter (a Primitivo, not bad), we chatted while tasting and ordered a Fritto Misto to begin (her recommendation, I followed gladly). Not a dish I have ordered, we found a sizable plate of lightly breaded & fried seafood (mini-octopi, calamari, some shrimpies, possibly some little chiclets of scallop, a scattering of carrot and zucchini shavings, with a nice red sauce). We did not finish it by the time our dinner arrived (a bit earlier than I would have preferred, but no big deal) and Abigail subsequently took much of it and half her entrée home for her next day's lunch.

Debated on a salad: I generally have one even if I don't need it. But opted to pass tonight for some reason (likely the Fritto Misto). If I had been leaning the other way, I probably would have gone for caprese.

Abigail immediately ordered her favorite item: Veal Basilio. I opted to follow and order the same thing. When in Rome, right?

Dinner came as previously noted a bit earlier than I would have preferred. It was a veal cutlet, pounded somewhat thin (but not paper-thin), sautéed with a very light, white wine sauce with onions, cabbage, some garlic and potatoes. Maybe carrots? Don't recall. There was a small amount of mozz on it - not smothered, just a slab here and there, melted. Probably fresh mozz but hard to say for sure when used in cooking. Veal was tender - cut with a fork, as were the sautéed vegetables. Delicious! And no pasta (in case this had not already been gleaned from the list of ingredients - I briefly had a flashback to the opening scene of The Big Night).

Menu was a 1-page thing that looks to be typewritten. Almost no descriptions or list of ingredients. But some of the other intriguing items include: pork chop parmesan, pappardelle veal ragu, duck breast in fig sauce, ossobuco. Incidentally, only 2 dishes - both branzini's - are listed over $25, and all wines were in the 30-75 range if memory serves.

No dessert or coffee afterwards; Abigail took the leftover food, I departed with last glass +/- in the bottle of wine.

Truly an excellent place that I will visit again on the next possible occasion. It made me hungry again to write this 2 days later!

- Rude Dante review

Los Amigos ~ Lake Dallas, Texas

Los Amigos resides in an old DQ building... in Lake Dallas! In a sleepy town where Hunts Brother Pizza at the local gas station mart reigns supreme, it is a real treat to have an authentic Mexican restaurant. Their specialty is Tacos al Trompo, you know pork and garlic and onion tied up on a spit with a pineapple propped on top so the juices can drip into the cracks between the slow roasting pork. My mouth waters just thinking about it.  But they also serve wonderful barbacoa, delicioso al pastor, yummy chicken & beef too. Tacos on corn or flour would only be better if the tortillas were "Heche a mano" (hand made). The breakfast tacos, enchiladas and chile relleno are very good too. We come often. My kids love it, Ms. Music loves it, and my friends love it too.  They have a pretty large menu with pozole, menudo and quesadillas too. Oddly, 1/2 the menu consists of American diner food! Chicken fried steak, burgers, omelets and pancakes too! The first time we are here, baby Music wanted pancakes. We were all a little skeptical from a place that you don't hear much English. The pancakes were amazing! In fact everyone wanted to have some. Turns out the cook used to work at the Old West Cafe, my favorite diner in the area. 

The chips are warm, fresh, crispy and lightly salted. They are not greasy at all and are  plentiful. Served with their homemade warm salsa fresh off the grill in a molcajete.  It is tomato based, fresh and light with a nice kick that really enhances the flavor. Additionally they bring out 3 other salsas in squirt bottles, ahhh how I love them! All are plenty hot! The red consists of dried chilies, cumin, salt and water. Then they have green tomatillo. When fresh, its tangy and light. The favorite of mine and for most of my compadres is very spicy, creamy green made from roasted jalapeno, roasted garlic, and a bit of avocado blended til it's smooth and creamy and oh so hot! Amigo's dining room is less than fancy, just like an old DQ. The staff is super friendly.  Outside they have a handful of old round metal tables large enough for 5. It's a cute part of town and I love sitting outside there. Oh yeah, they have a drive through too! You get all that for a low price!

- Mr. Music review