First visit: Feb 2025
It's a cold and dreary winter Saturday, and I didn't have any sales to go to. Mrs. RJG had some family business in Denver (we're two ships passing in the night apparently), so I was on my own for lunch. Why not pick a place nearby to the house that Mrs. RJG hasn't shown enthusiasm for. Well that would be Red's Sunset Grill that just opened a couple of months back. She doesn't often like to try places unless I've reconned them first. Happy to perform my spousal duty...
The establishment here prior was Beasts & Brews, a miserable place that I wrote a scathing review of (since removed). I can deal with a lot of issues, but I can't handle restaurants that deliberately try to rip you off. And they did that with their self pour beer tap system. I suggested they needed to change that business model pronto or face going out of business. And no truer words were ever written... Good riddance.
Red's Sunset Grill has completely remodeled the (very) large space into a sports bar but with an "elevated" menu (I'm getting good at these new terms, eh?). Essentially it's a gastropub. It looks almost identical to RJG favorite Back East Bar & Grill. And I'll be damned, it's the same owner. And I had no idea they also owned Abby's Pub along with two other distinct restaurant concepts. They are apparently Colorado Springs' version of the Lettuce Entertain You group of Chicago. Hey - that's awesome. More power to you. They have money and it shows. They also have uniformly friendly help and are clean as a whistle. In an era when most restaurants struggle to bring in patrons, all their restaurants seem to be packed. When I arrived there were only a few customers (I was early), but it started to fill up. I'm sure at nights they do great. And when there's an event at the nearby Ford Amphitheater, then good luck in getting a table.
Shall I talk about the food? That would be good of you Mr. RJG. Their beer list is somewhat perfunctory, so that's another major break from their predecessor. I stuck with water, since I have a full day of activities, including typing this review out 😊. I went with the Wicked Spicy Burger which they describe as thus: "Charred jalapeño, bacon, habanero cheddar, blackened chipotle aioli, brioche bun." Yep that's got my name on it. And substituted the fries for Mac-n-Cheese for $2. There it is to your right. I started with the Mac, and it was super hot temperature, creamy and absolutely delicious. Love that the mac is actually penne plus the parmesan cheese and panko crumb addition. For the burger the first thing I notice is the crispy bacon. Mrs. RJG would love that. I ordered it medium well, but I'd say it was more medium. Fine with me, but something to remember with the Mrs. The bread was just a tad mushy on the bottom, another Mrs. RJG no-no. None of this deters me and I was excited about the various spicy flavors. Excellent burger. The pickle was great too. I also have to say that I was completely full and struggled to finish it. This after a three mile run and nothing else to eat. I was starving upon arrival with my stomach growling an hour before. I can't remember the last time I felt that way about being stuffed.
Into the RJG Rotation Red's Sunset Grill goes. I'll see if I can get Mrs. RJG here as well. It's less than a five minute drive away.
2/15/25 (new entry)
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