Buqui Bichi Brewing ~ Hermosillo, Mexico

First visit: Feb 2025

Once again we had no plans to fill the day. At least for us guys. So after our meal at Santo's Grill, the three ladies who were with us had appointments to get their hair and makeup done. Mrs. RJG and Denver Sister were not too keen on unleashing Mr. RJG and the Ghana Ambassador out into the wilds on the wedding day. Denver Official Niece the Young had her boyfriend, but she could care less what he was up to. And Denver Official Nephew is 23 and free as a bird, so he was game for anything. There was talk of driving to San Carlos, a beautiful town some 90 minutes away. But the ladies were terrified we'd get caught up in traffic and miss the wedding. That sounded good to us guys! lol. After some deliberation, Oldest Sibling agreed to take us dudes around Hermosillo and we'd figure something out. OK, sounds like a plan.

It somehow became our mission to get a sombrero. Funny how these things become the target when it was never discussed before. Since Oldest Sibling knows the city pretty well, he took us to a place in hardcore Hermosillo. Clearly a very poor area, nonetheless we all felt completely safe. And I have to say that throughout our stay, I felt safer in Hermosillo than I do in Denver. We're freaking in the middle of cartel land, way off the tourist beaten path, and the streets at night felt safe. And in the day too. That's a sad commentary on our current situation here in the States. Only boyfriend bought a hat and then we ended up at the mall since Oldest Sibling had to visit the eyeglasses store. It's a very nice indoor mall, named the Galleria which is a clue. The stores are just like the stores back home. And so are the prices, so it's very expensive for the locals. After that we started to enter the cerveza drinking hour. We were under strict instructions not to get drunk. We wouldn't anyway, but we're not going to waste this opportunity either and drink tea.

We settled on Buqui Bichi, beers we were familiar with from the hotel bar. What a wonderful "space" as the young 'uns call it. We had a blast. All of us enjoying two to four beers each (exceptional). And we agreed we needed to eat something too, as the wedding reception would likely be way late. And not very good. All prophetic as it turns out. So I enjoyed the beautiful taco you see in front of you (carne asada and green chile). Best one of the trip. And we all got to bond with Oldest Sibling even though the poor fellow got stuck with us all day and doesn't speak much English. And none of us spoke much Spanish. It was a wonderful "moment in time". And I credit Buqui Bichi for creating that atmosphere for us. And Boyfriend paid for everything (note he gets a capital B now), raising his stock with Uncle RJG and Uncle Ghana Ambassador. Prices were great as was the norm in Hermosillo.

I wish I could share photos of our group, but must stay anonymous. We're all below that cropped photo, but it does give you a slight idea of the interior. The windows were open and there was a nice breeze coming through.

The beautiful Mrs. RJG looked like a knockout coming out of the makeup session. She usually does anyway, but this was next level. She's 51 but still looks like she's in her 30s. And in perfect condition. All of our niece's look up to her as the example of who they want to become. I'm serious about that.

And that ends our trip. As noted in the Guero entry, that's where we had our Sunday breakfast before going to the airport. Arrived in Denver at halftime of the Super Bowl. Listened to the 3rd quarter on the radio on our 75 minute drive home to the Springs. And caught the rest of the game in the house. So nice to be home again...

2/8/25 (new entry)

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...

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