Pahgre's ~ Montrose, Colorado

First visit: Aug 2023

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. Italian is not something we do often anymore, especially for lunch. In reviewing our options, Pahgre's looked perfect.

Upon arrival, it occurred to me that restaurants like Pahgre's don't exist much anymore. Colorado Springs, for example, has no such place. What am I referring to? Well, for those who have followed this blog since its advent, you know I'm a big proponent of the old school Italian restaurant. The kind that started in the 1920s and 30s and continued on opening into the early 70s. I grew up in places like that. Many of those are now of course closed, but the few survivors have actually thrived in modern times. Colorado Springs and Denver certainly have places like that. But that's not Pahgre's pedigree. Their blueprint would be the restaurants that came around starting in the late 70s and proliferated in the 80s and 90s. More wide open spaces, with natural sunlight coming through. And large menus, with an emphasis on family. This is the model that Olive Garden and Carrabba's exploited and ultimately became very successful with. But what of the independent Italian restaurant like this? Where are they? Reasonable prices, large portions, and tasty Italian meals. Funny how you don't miss something until it's gone. Pahgre's opened in 2014 in the fast growing agricultural and outdoor recreational town of Montrose. It reminds me so much of the 1990s - optimistic times, happy customers, and kind service. 

And great food! The chicken parm was perfect. I substituted spaghetti for the prescribed fettuccini, because I prefer the thinner noodle. And they baked it! Yea! And I loved their red sauce, much better than what you get in most places. Mrs. RJG got the primavera which she declared was great especially given the care of how they cut the vegetables. And she got a side of meatballs, which we split. These are some of the best meatballs I've had in many a year - and again that red sauce is delicious. What a great meal. Service was very slow - because the place was packed. And this was on a boring old summer Wednesday at 11:30 in the morning.

We need more places like Pahgre's. I want the 90s back!

8/9/23 (new entry)