Regular Joe's Guide

Latest visit: Feb 2025 (Dublin @ Barnes) First visit: Jun 2021 (Dublin @ Barnes) HQ: Denver, CO (founded: 2016) ---2/10/26 It had been my intention to visit Birdcall sooner than this, and in fact, it was the only RJG Rotation restaurant to get skipped over for 2025. In reading my notes below, I had forgotten a similar occurrence happened in 2022. In any case, I'm here, so is Birdcall still worth attending? Absolutely. In fact, they fixed the tip BS, and now they don't ask for that while knuckling in your order. Thank you. In addition, as I read my notes regarding the delay of my order last time, on this visit, they were kind enough to bring it to me. That's a new feature and one I applaud. Going to the bay windows is fine, but it's better suited for to-go orders. If in the restaurant, do I really need to "fetch it"? This is much more personal. As for my meal, I went with Nashville Hot, and had it Hot, not Extra Hot. Added tots as is my custom. And just had wat...

Latest visit: Jul 2025 (S. Academy) First visit: Jun 2021 (S. Academy) 2/22/26 update: Their restaurant location closed back in September, which I'm just now finding out about. However their food truck, which is how they started, is still going strong. ---7/16/25 update As promised, I'm taking the unusual step of writing a second review for the year. This is because they comped me a full combo meal as noted below. So I tried their Sombrero burger which comes with a fried egg and green chili. They also allowed me to try their red chili with some homemade chips. The latter chili is very hot and you feel it immediately on the tongue. Good stuff. The green chili is more of a chunky salsa, and is also flavorful, though of medium spice. The egg was a bit messy and Mrs. RJG would have been grossed out had she been with me. I don't mind though :-) The hamburger was very good, though I'll stick with the taco burgers going forward. Today the restaurant was empty, but the kitchen ...

Latest visit: Apr 2023 (Colorado Springs - closed) First visit: Dec 2018 (Colorado Springs - closed) Colorado Springs location is now closed. I'll update this post if we go to another location. ---4/16/23 notes OK we're back sooner this year for our annual Billy Sims Barbecue visit. They still had the "limited time" chili, so I went for that as my side (dollar extra) to my go-to Heisman sandwich. This time I substituted chopped brisket for pulled pork ($1 more). So how did we compare to last year's visit? Touchdown! The chili was steaming hot and very flavorful. Probably the best Texas styled chili I've had since leaving the state. They added onions and cheese per request. The sandwich was delicious as well, with the chopped brisket giving it a different flavor profile. I hope they remove the interim tag from the chili and make it a permanent item. I noticed on this visit they have sliders. I may try 3 or 4 of them next time to get the full palette of meats th...

Closed: Oct 2024 Last visit: Jun 2023 First visit: Jun 2022 Finally back to a normal routine here at the RJG. I didn't mention it below, but my first visit to Cy's came a day after receiving my new job offer. The same company that resulted in the Boulder trip and many others we've written about here since October. I was very relieved at the time because despite what the news media might say, the job market was tight then, as it is now. And I supposedly have "in demand skills". Baloney. Those unemployment numbers are completely jacked. The real total is probably along the lines of 20% (they only count those who apply for unemployment - which is 6 months consecutively at most). Can you imagine how the markets would react if they acknowledged that? But it's the truth. However, careful what you wish for - you might get it! It's not an easy job, and it's not necessarily the best fit for my skillset, but I'm hanging in there as I'm very close to reti...

Latest visit: Aug 2025 (Colorado Springs) First visit: Mar 2019 (Colorado Springs) HQ: Tampa, FL (founded: 2007) ---8/16/25 update We haven't been to The Brass Tap this year, and so we chose this Saturday night mindlessly for our dinner choice. Why mindless? Because we weren't thinking of The Ford Amphitheater and a potential concert. Sure enough some big country star was playing that night, a name I've already forgotten. The servers just presumed we were going to the concert, so we played along, not willing to admit our mistake. Surprisingly we did get a table right away, and service was reasonably fast. Unfortunately they did not cook Mrs. RJG's burger well done as they have consistently done in the past. That resulted in a frown and a "I'm not coming back" declaration. She can be unforgiving that way. I enjoyed mine, but as the years go by, my interest in these kind of taverns is beginning to wane. It's the cost plus the beer lists have become stati...

Latest visit: Mar 2023 (Colorado Springs) First visit: Mar 1995 (Denver - downtown) I said that I would return to Anthony's if they were still open, and indeed they are. The RJG's Official Mom made sure that her son knew she was being neglected, so it was time to spend some quality time with her. She loves pizza, and the original plan was to order from Marco's. But they apparently don't feel it necessary to take calls anymore (online perhaps? - why would I do that - maybe no one is there?). But Anthony's did take my call, and earned the business (almost one year later to the day). I ordered a large 18" meatball pizza. At $31 including tax, no wonder they're still around! In any case, we picked it up and drove north to Mom's apartment near Monument. From there, we enjoyed a homemade salad that Mrs. RJG brought along and we began to devour the pizza. Much better than the recent visits noted below. The sauce in particular contained much more flavor. And, o...