Regular Joe's Guide

Latest visit: Feb 2024 (Interquest) First visit: Aug 2023 (Interquest) HQ: Glen Burnie, Maryland (Baltimore area) (Founded 2011) ---2/24/24 update This is only my second visit and Mrs. RJG joined me this time. We each got the two meat platter so we could try most of the protein they have on offer. We had the pulled chicken, sliced brisket, turkey, and classic sausage. All were excellent as noted below. Our only complaint is that the meats needed to be slightly hotter in temperature especially the sausage. She tried the baked beans and I had the mac n cheese. The latter was the prescribed hot, just like last year. And I even liked the baked beans, which I usually find to be cloyingly sweet, but not in this case. Along with the six sauces (as noted below) we also tried the Baja Bold which is their spiciest option. It's not exceedingly so, but provides a piquant option. Mrs. RJG really enjoyed both our cornbreads, as I knew she would. The two large soda fountain gives Mission the flex...

First visit: Aug 2023 (Briargate) Locations: 5 - all in Colorado Springs After all these years, I finally made it over to Louie's. This location existed even when I lived here close by in 1994 (version 1.0). But I never ventured in. Not sure why, though in those days I didn't care for reheated pizza as I hadn't mastered that art yet. I also wasn't aware that it offered dine-in with pizza by the slice. In any event, grabbed a large cheese pizza with Italian sausage and took it home. They offer cash discounts, so I took advantage of that. Much cheaper than the competition, so a good deal for those on a budget. Mrs. RJG air fried it a little bit to ensure crispness and a hot temperature. As soon as I bit into the crust I could tell this was conveyor-belt pizza rather than hand tossed. Of course I noticed that when walking in as well. And I can always use a little bit more sauce. Mrs. RJG was pleased though. We both liked the sausage and cheese. A solid option in town, but ...

Closed: 2025 First visit: Aug 2023 Since we already completely destroyed our normal diet on this trip, why not one more stop for ice cream? After crossing the beautiful Wolf Creek pass, you land in South Fork, a little village that could pass for a town in Austria if you didn't know any better. Basecamp Sweets is a very large space, and is bright with hardwood floors. Very welcoming atmosphere. Once again I went for one scoop in a waffle cone. I saw him give me one scoop. Then 2. Then close to 3! My goodness, even more than the day before in Ouray. Again I went for Sea Salt Caramel - this time Nut replaces the word Espresso. Mrs. RJG got the same thing. Delicious though not quite as creamy as The Yankee Girl's ice cream (origin unknown). But here we were served by the owner, and he informed us that his ice cream comes from either Blue Bell (which we know all too well) and Kemps, of which our selection was made by. Who are they? They've been in business since 1914. They'...

First visit: Aug 2023 Time to head back on home... Did some thrifting in Durango, and then began the journey back with one thrift stop in Bayfield. For lunch, we didn't want much more than a sandwich, so The Peak Deli was an obvious choice. Small place with seating indoors and out. We each got a hot sub (mine was the Italian). Everything about it was delicious except it wasn't very hot, which is strange to say the least. Worth going to though if looking for a lunch on the lighter side. 8/10/23 (new entry)

First visit: Aug 2023 While Mrs. RJG just presumed we were going to bed next, I was still thirsty and wanted to try one more brewery, so we waltzed on over to Carver, one of Colorado's oldest brewpubs dating back to 1988. Somehow we missed them in our other two trips to Durango (2009; 2018). No time like the present. Sat at the bar, and I ended up getting 2 more beers while Mrs. RJG really enjoyed their homemade non-alcoholic ginger beer. She has a new favorite to seek out when we go to breweries. Friendly bartending and great drinks made for the perfect close to a great day. 8/9/23 (new entry)

First visit: Aug 2023 As you can imagine, after a large Italian meal, a big portion of ice cream, and a beer - we weren't exactly starving for dinner. We stayed at the historic Hotel Strater (wonderful hotel), and decided to walk the entire downtown. Even though we pigged out for the duration of the day, we most certainly did our fair share of walking starting with the morning hike. So we did at least manage to burn some calories. After wandering around aimlessly for close to an hour, we decided to settle in at the bar that is attached to our hotel. We were feeling hot, so the dark and air-conditioned place was much welcomed. We sat upstairs and were mostly ignored by the waitstaff, but we weren't in any kind of hurry either. We each had two glasses of wine and ordered a grilled chicken sandwich that we split. The perfect remedy to the large portions we indulged in earlier the day. And very good tasting too. There was a performer on this evening, playing the usual hits of the 7...

Closed: Mar 2025 First visit: Aug 2023 If going into Ouray is the most beautiful drive, then going south into Silverton is the most hair raising. You need to be on high alert for this drive, with many hairpin turns with no railing and straight drops of thousands of feet. It's also beautiful, and since everyone is going so slow, there's plenty of opportunity to take in the sights. Silverton is one of the most isolated towns in Colorado, and it shows. It's a bit rundown on aggregate, with most of the money pouring in from the Durango-Silverton railroad tourist crowd. Well heeled hundred-millionaires and billionaires can fly their private jets into Aspen, Vail, and Breckenridge, but there is no such potential option in Silverton. And the winter represents total isolation with scary drives to Durango as the only point of refuge. In any case, after the exhilarating ride into Silverton, it was time for an ice cold beverage. Last time (again, 2018) we tried the Golden Block Brewer...

First visit: Aug 2023 If there's a more beautiful drive in the country than going south into Ouray, I've not experienced it myself. We've been to Ouray twice prior, both times going north from Durango (also stunning). Even though we stuffed ourselves at lunch, we decided that ice cream was in order for a dessert. The old rationalization that we're on vacation, ya know? I got the Sea Salt Caramel Espresso ice cream. I mean, seriously, there can't be a better flavor combo for Mr. RJG at this stage of my life. Asked for one scoop in a waffle cone. I'm pretty sure I got 2 scoops, as did Mrs. RJG (I forget what she got now). Delicious and creamy, probably the best ice cream we've had in ages, besting even Josh and John's for my current palate. We walked around the entire town while licking the ice cream. With plenty of envious stares from passers by, some inquiring where did we get such a concoction of goodness. I think the ice cream shop is related to the Th...

Latest visit: Aug 2025 First visit: Aug 2023 ---8/5/25 update We're back in Montrose and we knew what dinner was going to be - Pahgre's! Two years ago we went here for lunch on a Wednesday and it was packed. Now it's a Tuesday night and it's about half full for dinner. No change in quality though. We more or less had the same thing we did last time plus a couple of glasses of wine (generous pours). If Pahgre's existed in Colorado Springs, they would be our go-to for Italian. ---8/9/23 review I think Pahgre's needs some narrative. So after Mrs. RJG and I finished an hour long morning hike and did some thrifting, we were both starving for lunch. Over the years we've transitioned from a hearty lunch to that of a big breakfast. We're beginning to slide that scale back to lunch. Back in the day, that always meant Mexican for us. But neither of us are feeling that way ever since our last trip to New Mexico, which seemed to satiate that appetite for a long time...

Latest visit: Aug 2025 First visit: Aug 2023 ---8/5/25 update Almost two years to the day, Mrs. RJG and I went for a repeat performance of closing off our first day of the Western Colorado road trip with a visit to Pomona. Then it was a new brewery just getting its feet wet. Today, the brewery was packed and the kitchen was hot. It's clear many of the patrons are regulars. They now also sport a fancy computer screen with both Pomona and guest beers. As we did last time, we each had one beer before calling it a night. If we're back in Montrose, we'll be back at Pomona. ---8/8/23 review Not willing to concede the evening yet, I wanted one more beer at a different locale from Horsefly. We ended up here at Pomona, which is newly opened. Wide open space, a large bar, and delicious beers. They also have a short order kitchen. Probably our favorite brewery of the trip, so perhaps next time we go here for dinner instead. 8/8/23 (new entry); 8/5/25

First visit: Aug 2023 Neat darkened atmosphere inside with plenty of covered outdoor seating. In a rare twist, Mrs. RJG enjoyed her tacos more than I enjoyed my burger. I'm always weary of a well done hamburger coming out 5 minutes after I order it. What does that tell you? It had been sitting around on the grill. And it tasted like it too. So as a brewpub, it was just OK for me. I guess I'll get the tacos next time, if there is a next time. Beers tend to the sweet side, which Mrs. RJG did not enjoy. 8/8/23 (new entry)

First visit: Aug 2023 Essentially a repurposed trailer serving ice cream, which they get from Third Bowl. This ice creamery is based in Hotchkiss, a town we have yet to visit (about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Gunnison). We might have a reason to now! Ice cream was very good, served up by a nice and pretty young lady. We sat in the nearby park chairs and watched traffic roll down US-50, before hitting a couple of thrift shops.  8/8/23 (new entry)

First and last visit: Aug 2023 In what appears to be a first for the RJG, we arrived to a sign saying that the 53 year old business is closing next week! We went anyway, and it definitely would have been worthy of repeat business. The full story of their closing is written here . I love the 1970 architecture and old-school diner mentality. My dad would have loved this place - no doubt being allowed to smoke the day away with refills of decaffeinated coffee. Food and service was great, proving the owners and waitresses had no intention of short-timing it. Glad we got to go once anyway! 8/12/23 (new entry)