Eat Here

I’ve been a big fan of Steuben’s Food Service since my first egg-in-a-hole there a few years ago. The place is cool in a 1960′s diner way; updated retro booths and bar stools, wood wall paneling, and a mid-century modern rock wall in the dining room. Many of my favorite childhood restaurant memories come from places that looked like Steuben’s, places long-gone but never forgotten…the Capri in LaJunta, LaTronica’s in Pueblo, and the never-bested Top of the Town in Colorado Springs. All those places were different, but the vibe was similar. I loved the food and just as much, maybe even more, the atmosphere. Steuben’s has it too.

They also have pimento cheese and pretzels. The cheese sauce is thick enough to stick to the chunks of torn pretzel and a little piquant. The pretzel “bites” are delectable little pretzel nuggets, the outer “skin” perfect and smooth (you get that with a baking soda wash, in case you’re curious) and studded with kosher salt. The inner bread was excellent and firm enough to catch some cheese sauce and not become soggy. Old school and new school in all the right way. 

You’ll also see some deviled eggs, which tasted like a glorious amalgam of egg salad and potato salad. .50 cents each during Happy Hour. It was very happy indeed…

Find all the details here, Steuben’s Food Service.

Jazz it Up!

Roasted Brussels sprouts are, at least according to my very un-scientific survey, everywhere. And rightly so. I love the distinctive cabbage-sweet insides and the crunchy brown outer leaves seasoned with nothing more than sea salt. But why not jazz it up! The next time you get a yen for these little crucifers, toss in a few cherry tomatoes and peeled cloves of garlic. The tomatoes collapse into semi-soft puddles of sweet, concentrated tomato goodness, and do I need to elaborate on roasted garlic? No, I didn’t think so…

Hip Tip

We started the year on a traditional note, with Hoppin’ John and greens. No ham bone? No problem. To jazz up your greens, add a tablespoon of butter and 3 or so dashes of Liquid Smoke a few minutes before you serve. Stir it around and heat gently while the butter melts. Does the trick and tastes like the real deal, smokey and a little rich.