Latest visit: Apr 2025
First visit: Dec 2021
This is only my second visit to Wade's. I was way ahead of schedule and found myself further north than usual for an early lunch. Let's see how it goes.
Location: Just off of North Academy at the intersection of Carefree. Standard issue free standing diner restaurant. In addition to plenty of tables, they have a few solo counter stools, so I grabbed one on this visit. I should mention that I've been here twice since my last visit but both times they had a waiting list, so I moved on. It's a popular place. I think with today being Wednesday that helped.
Food: Breakfast appears to be the main draw and since I had a bird's eye view to the kitchen that is mostly what came out. But they have a hearty lunch menu of sandwiches, burgers, and even entrees like liver & onions. My dad would have liked this place since he loved that dish! I went with the chili cheeseburger this time, doused in green. See for yourself. Came with fries and fixin's. I figured it would be a knife and fork affair, but I was able to eat it like a traditional hamburger. One reason for this is the thick bun they use. I didn't even slop on my cream colored shirt. Amazing luck! I thought it was excellent though could have gone for more spice in the chili, as noted below. Next time I must try their Philly cheesesteak.
Drink: I indulged in a caramel macchiato, since they have a full range of high end coffee drinks. Machine made but pretty good. Very sweet. They have the usual diner selection of juices as well.
Overall: Both of my visits to Wade's have been very satisfying. This is one of those "Best Of" establishments so it remains very popular. I've tried to get Mrs. RJG over here a couple of times but she doesn't want to go, for reasons unknown. I'm adding into the rotation. It's really just a matter if I'm here during breakfast or lunch when doing the rounds. I figure that should happen at least once a year.
---original 12/6/21 review
I had Wade's circled to go to earlier in the year, but it was still during the pandemic, and there was a long wait so I tabled it for a future day. And that day has arrived. And joining me on this venture is none other than business associate, and good friend, Tampa Pound who last graced these pages in early 2018. As it turns out, he too is now a resident of Colorado Springs, so there's always an opportunity for a quick get together. I arrived early, and stated there would be two of us, but they only seat you if the whole party is already here. Which makes sense for a popular place such as this. He arrived about five minutes later, and we were promptly seated. Wade's has an extensive menu of breakfast and lunch items (they typically close at 2:00p), so figuring out what I wanted was a challenge. We were there at 11:00, so I could have gone either way. I decided on breakfast, as it's always hard for me to resist a Breakfast Burrito smothered in green. These also come with "3 dollar pancakes". I was starving so the egg burrito had little chance of surviving the ten minute onslaught. The green chile had an excellent flavor - definitely not that spicy for those who are sensitive to such things. As is often the case, I could have used more chile, as it was pretty dry by the end. Maybe I should stop eating it by itself on the side of the plate? I can't help myself. The Tampa Pound ordered the Farmer's Omelet which he devoured with glee. I then attacked the pancakes as if they were dessert, slathering all the butter they gave me, and dousing it in maple syrup. A perfect way to close off the meal.
Complaints? Sure, why not, gotta complain about something I s'ppose. I wanted coffee but they didn't have flavored creamers, which is pretty standard these days. Oh well, I went for the hot chocolate instead, which was also excellent. So I won for losing. So much for complaints. And service was very prompt, something very rare these days.
Definitely need to get Mrs. RJG over here. The primary thing with her has to do with the hot temperature of the food, and I have to give credit to Wade's here too. I too prefer it as hot as possible. Nothing worse than warm or cool food - at least for food that isn't supposed to be that way!
12/6/21 (new entry); 4/16/25
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