I tried this taqueria on 17-92 near 46A today at lunch. It opened ten days ago. They said the style was Jalisco and another region I didn't compute. I had a barbacoa sopes, lengua tostada and a canrintas and asada tacos. All were $3 except the $4 lengua. They were mostly good. I would prefer that they grill the taco tortillas. They were rushing things. The barbacoa that they list as head had more connective parts than meat. That's the luck of the draw I guess. The asada was very diced. The lengua didn't seem like lengua. Maybe they confused the barbacoa and that. Came with a green salsa. They have a salsa bar. They sell: tacos, sopes, quesadillas, gorditas, tortas, tostadas, burritos, tacos grandes, quesadilla chicas and drinks. The top price is $10. The other types are: pollo, chicharron, desbrada, chorizo, pastor, carne molida, jamon and camaron. The place is basic. Maybe ten tables and a few outside. Order at the counter. It was pretty full. Came out quickly. Parking. Open 7D 9a-9p. I found this place by accident. I was returning from downtown Sanford (because the lazy bitches at this new bao place still have a food truck work ethic and only open after 4pm and only five days a week) after a miscue. I'm almost glad it happened. I'll bet this is the better option.
*Travel Notes - Colorado: I flew at night to Denver on Frontier for $68. I rented a car (my choice) from Hertz for the week at $324. Got a brand new one with Sat radio. I slept the first night at a Sleep Inn (Booking 8.1) at the airport for $96. In the morning I drove to Grand Junction. Lunch at McD in Vail. I took the road to Powderhorn and bought my lift ticket for the next day (no dynamic pricing) for $104 and rented skis for $62. That road is very pretty. I then drove back to 70 and Grand Junction. I stopped two exits further on in Palisade because they were touting wineries and I had time to kill. I stopped at the closest one (Grande River Vineyards). I had a flight for $13. Almost all their wine was good. They kept giving me free tastes. I applied the flight price to a bottle. An ok rose. I didn't see that it cost $23. Still a deal with a $13 discount. I'll interject here that all the flight pricing in Palisade was reasonable. The bottle prices not so much. I'll also declare that the wine here is excellent. I was dumbfounded. It was getting late and I tried to try another aside it. They were closing though. I stayed at the Grand Vista Hotel (Expedia 8.2) for two nights at $51 plus $14 parking per night. That is not a misprint. Grand Junction is near skiing, has excellent wineries and a downtown, great scenery and some of the cheapest, ok quality hotels in the country. So much so that I recalibrated my whole trip around it. I grabbed some food at Safeway for dinner. Did this every night.
The next day I drove back to Powderhorn. A great, uncrowded day of sun skiing. I had a corn dog up there. Stopped again in Palisade. Did Colterris Winery and Spectrum Sauvage Estate Winery this time. Colterris was better, but, Spectrum was more cutting edge. They had sparklings that followed the Pet-Nat method and even a hopped one (it was pretty good and the only time I have ever heard anyone trying that). I was the only one at any of these tasting rooms. There is a well marked wine trail.
The next day I changed rooms to a Studio 6 (Expedia 7.2). Mistake. I had a huge, end of hall, quiet room at the other hotel. These pics looked ok and I figured they would make me check out anyway, so, I gambled on variety. It was an extended stay Motel 6 with an ok update, but, sleazy guests and noisier. Before that I explored and had lunch in downtown on Main St. Good jalapeno steak benedict at Dream Cafe and a Truffle Shuffle (prosciutto, dried pear, brie spread, Manchego chips, sunflower seeds) at The Hog and the Hen. Free parking was a bit of a struggle. Colorado is so addicted to this revenue. I drove back to Palisade. Left Red Fox because they didn't have vintage wine. Drove to Carboy (a glass barrel) Winery for a very good flight. Then to Book Cliff Vineyards. An ok flight at a great location. Then I started to drive away from downtown. Great views on the trail. Stopped at a good looking place called Restoration Vineyards. The owner was the ex-biggest after market auto parts dealer in SF. The wine was excellent. They had a food truck. There were other vineyards I passed by. 40+ in all. I love this area because it is like a time machine. It is like many wine regions used to be. Before they became a hassle. I reticently encourage you to drop all of them and come here. I put it that way because I'm afraid you will ruin it for all of us. Like that nimrod on the insurance commercial who says "hey Fam...I'm out here...manifesting abundance...". But, I guess it's too good to keep to myself. I would seriously move here if they had a bigger airport. They even have summer activities. You can bike it. And there is another wine region south of here.
The next day I drove to Glenwood Springs. All the big resorts were doubling down on their ridiculous pricing (ie $259 for Winter Park). I decided I would try Sunlight. It was about ten miles from town. It cost $100. I did that the next day. This day, I drove to Aspen. It was a Saturday and too full. Plus they were super dicks about the paid parking and I had been there many many times before. I turned around and ate a roast beef and cheddar sandwich in Basalt at Mountain Heart Brewing. Had a sample too. Then back to GS. I checked in to the Starlight Lodge (Expedia 8.0) for the next two nights at $101 per. I rented skis for $52 at Hanging Lake Activities across the street (much better quality than PH). I then drove to Ironside Mineral Baths ($100+) and some gondola that goes to an amusement park. It was too expensive for what it was. I might do it when the park is open. It is on top of a mountain like in Barcelona. So cool. Never noticed it before. I parked the car and walked across the bridge to downtown. Almost did the baths, but, it was getting too late. I had a flight at Casey Brewing and a trout (fishy) blt at CO Ranch House. I should say it was around 60 degrees this whole week.
The next day I awoke early and was one of the first on the mountain. I did this because I noticed the day before that the parking lot near the entrance got full quickly and was muddy. Plus they wouldn't sell me a ticket ahead of time and I didn't want to make multiple trips and it was a Sunday. It was a good move. The mud was still iced over. I got a spot right at the entrance. Ticket line was short. I can't tell you how many hours I almost had the place to myself. It was big enough. No runs I couldn't handle. Great views. You don't need the hassle of Aspen et al. Go there. They also have a deal with Powderhorn where you can get three free days here if you get a yearly pass at PH. I believe that only costs $300. I think they said ski rentals here were $40. I left a bit early because I was worn out and had decided to do the Glenwood Hot Springs pool. I grabbed a pastrami rueben with fries on the way back at the 19th Street Diner. Returned the skis. The baths cost $34 plus $5 for a suit and $4 for a towel. I had been meaning to day this for ages. It was fun. Very historical. Bright sunshine. I then washed off and went across the bridge and had a flight at Stoneyard Distillery and a cobb salad and a flight at Glenwood Springs Brew Pub. I also grabbed a large guac and chips and Qdoba on the way back and drank some remaining wine. I think this town will be a part of most future trips as well.
The next day I drove back towards Denver. There was a big storm coming and I didn't want to be stuck on the wrong side of the Eisenhower tunnel. I had a lunch of a cheesesteak with arugula salad at The Drunken Goat in Edwards. I stayed at the H&H Motorlodge (Expedia 7.8) in Idaho Springs for $89. I drove up to Echo ski resort to see it when it was open. It's another cheaper option. Back to IS. Grabbed a roast beef with swiss and jus at Big B's Soup and Grilled Cheese across from the hotel. Went into town to try and try a cidery. They didn't make there own and I was worried about getting a ticket, so, I left and got some McDonald's. It snowed as predicted.
The next day I drove around Denver. Got off 70 where there is an old amusement park. Stumbled upon a huge comic book store. I'm not that type, but, I had time on my hands. It was interesting. I pretended I was on Big Bang Theory. I then drove down the street next to the tracks and espied Original Chubby's Burger Drive In (since 1967) and assumed that meant it was iconic. I grabbed a DCB (ok). I saw a Mexican place across the street. Walked there. Kike's Red Tacos. They had framed reviews that said they were a food truck and had a 5 star Yelp score. I grabbed a goat birria and asada taco. Both great. I then drove to downtown. Zig zagged every street. When I got to the state house, the usual liberal malcontents were starting a self-serving protest march. I had to drive around it. Gave then all a one finger salute. Stumbled upon their Natural History Museum/Zoo/Golf Course. On Josephine, I think. Back to 70 near the Purina Dog Chow building. Saw the Denver Coliseum. Back on 70 to DIA. Fueled up. Had a Son of Baconator (on sale for $3). Returned the car. The third (secret) TSA area has been closed. Possibly the worst collection of miscreants on the flight. Half hour late leaving as usual. I spent $73 on gas. It cost anywhere form $4 to $2.60. $120 for airport parking. Total Cost = $1928.
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