Biaggi's ~ regional chain : Colorado Springs, Colorado

Latest visit: Apr 2022 (Colorado Springs)

First visit: Oct 2018 (Colorado Springs)

Back for our annual review a bit earlier than anticipated. Mrs. RJG and I had just finished a very successful day selling at the Colorado Springs Record Show (side hustle as they now call it), and we were exhausted. Unfortunately the taco truck that was hired didn't show up - so we were starving too! So we decided on an early dinner at Biaggi's. Not too much different than our experience below, especially the kitchen was on point this late afternoon. Despite the early hour, we were looking at a 20 minute wait. Fortunately there was a table in the bar area, and we went for that for immediate seating. I went with the Spaghetti and Meatball this time, and the pasta was cooked perfectly, as were the meatballs. Probably could use a bit more flavor in the sauce, but not complaining. Mrs. RJG went for the Farfalle Alfredo, which she enjoyed. It was a bit salty, but this was a day where extra salt was welcomed. She also had the soup of the day and a house salad (remember we were hungry...). I tried both and they very good, especially the Italian sausage soup. We each enjoyed craft beers as well. You know we don't focus too much on service, but on this day it was what my Indian friends would call "doing the needful". No check-ins to see if the meal was good, or if we might need something (and I did - parm cheese! Had to track them down). Waited 15 minutes to get another beer, even though my glass was empty and we're in the bar! It did appear they were understaffed. Strangely Biaggi's was the one place that didn't have that problem late last year, and now they do when others are getting back to full staff. Oh well, not a big deal, but just to note it. Expensive dinner as well - didn't seem to deter the full house though.

Biaggi's is a small regional chain based in Bloomington, Illinois. As of this writing they have 17 locations. Most of them, naturally enough, are in the upper Midwest. Colorado represents their western border. Besides this location, there's also one in Loveland.

---

It was time to celebrate the RJG's Official Mom's birthday. Ah, but where do we go? We don't really have a "go to" place anymore. It had been some years since we last went to Biaggi's, so let's try it again, shall we? This is our 4th visit here. The first was just Mrs. RJG and I after a few months of living here in the Springs. We enjoyed it immensely. So we took the Official Mom out for her birthday here in 2018, along with Mrs. RJG's Official Mom. It too was an excellent meal. The following April, Mrs. RJG and I celebrated our anniversary here. And... not so bueno. And that was it for Biaggi's. Another overpriced chain going downhill it would appear. The pandemic only further intensified our non desire to go here. But we did like it once, didn't we?

Happy to say - despite all the challenges a modern restaurant must deal with - Biaggi's was back on track with our earlier experiences! The restaurant itself hasn't changed - with the same interior as prior. They first bring out two types of bread that is to be dipped into their olive oil and garlic mix. The latter is pretty strong so be ready for that. Mom and wife shared a bottle of Chianti and I had one craft beer from the Denver Beer company. For entrees, Official Mom went for the chicken parm, Mrs. RJG had the spaghetti and meatballs, and I had the rigatini with bolognese and sausage. And we each ordered a salad: House, Mediterranean, and Caesar respectively. The "small" salads are very large, and I noticed to starting to feel full after the bread and Caesar. Uh oh! All the same I persevered through my meal and finished each bite - which was delicious. Even better I thought was Mrs. RJG's spaghetti and sauce. Perfectly cooked al dente with an excellent red sauce. The homemade meatballs were very good as well. Best of all, the food came out piping hot, something of a lost art in these trying times. Oh, I should mention that Mrs. RJG absolutely loved the Mediterranean salad. Great salad = happy wife at the RJG household. Obviously we didn't try for a dessert, as we were stuffed and Official Mom brought home half her meal.

10/18/18; 4/5/19; 12/21/21 (new entry); 4/3/22

Five Guys Burgers and Fries ~ national chain : Colorado Springs, Colorado

Latest visit: Oct 2023 (Colorado Springs - Interquest) First visit: Jan 2007 (Reston, VA) Locations: 49 states + DC. Only Alaska is missing. There are 30 in Colorado (4 in the Springs). That's +3 from last year. Texas has 68 (our former locale of Southlake is closed, so Hurst would have been the closest). There are 123 in California which is their largest state presence. The original Reston location that I first went to is still going. In what appears to be a recurring theme, I state each year this will be my last visit to Five Guys. Only to return anyway. This year's excuse is I wanted to try their new location, which very recently opened up close to our house. This is definitely the closest we've ever lived to a Five Guys - even the Reston location was further from my office at the time. And I thought maybe it would make a good choice for a weekday lunch while working from home, thus putting Five Guys back into the rotation. I put that idea to the test here this Saturda...

Denver's Old School Italian Restaurants

I know, I know... I haven't posted anything in 6 months. You were checking back every week, then every month and now I've fallen completely off your radar. Sorry about that. My only lame excuse is that I've been "saving up" for a good one. I've been wanting to write about Denver's Italian restaurants since we returned part-time last year. And you all know how the RJG feels about this style of restaurant . As someone who grew up in Dallas, perhaps I've been more drawn to cities that embrace their history rather than completely demolish it. Only recently has Dallas become more acutely aware of their past. Previously, any buildings not in use have been razed as fast as possible, to make way for the next brand new shopping center - all in the latest architecture naturally. Contrarily you have cities like St. Louis that are 19th and 20th century industrial ghost towns - places frozen in time because for most everyone who could, they just up and left to ...

Pietro's Italian ~ Dallas, Texas CLOSED

Last visit: Feb 2016 First visit: Sometime in 1984 When Mr. Music told me this earlier in the year, my heart sunk. It was reason enough to stop talking and writing about restaurants. All I can say is this: We did give you advance notice. The below was published on March 28, 2010 , so Pietro gave you a good 7 years to check it out. If you missed it, then I'm sorry to say there is no replacement. No other place like it. A part of me went with it too... January 2014 update: Pietro's is as magnificent as ever. Mrs RJG and I just had another exquisite meal here. It remains my all-time favorite restaurant even after 30 years of going here. I beg and urge you all to try it at least once if you have a hankering for Old School Italian food. I'm sure it will not be here forever. Pietro must be close to 80 now, and it's hard to imagine the restaurant without him. We try to go 3 to 4 times a year, almost always on a Saturday or Sunday because of the traffic to get to inner Dalla...

Regular Joe's Guide

Search This Blog