What should I eat to get a "Taste of Colorado"?
Dear Colorado Chowhounders, I need your expertise.
I am a foodie from Kansas City (and a big fan of Chowhound) who is using my summer to travel to six different food festivals across the U.S. My goal is to truly get a "taste" of each city/state and then write about my food experiences while contrasting the differences and similarities of each festival for a local food magazine I currently write for in KC.
Many foodies I have spoken with show complete distain for these types of food festivals as they don't believe one can truly get great food at them. I know that this is not the best food festival your city has to offer. I also know that most of these food festivals feature restaurants that are more fast food in nature and that very few of a city's culinary heavy hitters ever attend these events. And I know that chain restaurants also use these events to drive their business. Trust me, I am not out to judge your culinary scene, I am trying to see if I can eat something that you would call your own, at an event called Taste of Colorado.
I do believe (and have now seen proof) that there are hidden gems at each of these festivals that are locally-owned and truly represent the tastes and flavors of city that they live and do business in. Those are the places, I am trying to find.
The Taste of Chicago was my first festival this summer, which was attended by over 3.5 million people during the week it was held, and is considered the biggest food festival of its kind in the U.S. Upon asking the locals what I should eat to "Taste Chicago," I was kindly pointed to and gladly ate the following (listed in the order of most recommended):
#1 - Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza
#2 - Chicago-style Hot Dogs
#3 - Italian Beef Sandwich
This is not fancy food, this is food that came from the large immigrant population and workforce that flowed from the port into the Windy City. It is food that all Chicagoan's know and call their own. So, I ate it.
See my photos attached:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?&mode=fromsite&collid=87525675906.407395549206.1187178354424&conn_speed=1
Next, I attended the Taste of Dallas, where I was directed by Chowhounders in DFW to go eat: Texas BBQ, Country Cookin' or Tex Mex food . . .or really any dish involving lots and lots of meat, preferrably BEEF.
This is food that came from the men out on the ranges hearding cattle and eating trail food and from the Mexicans that moved across the border into Texas that influenced their cuisine. I dutifully obliged and had some terrific culinary experiences along the way.
See my photos attached:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?&mode=fromsite&collid=87525675906.492299889206.1187178879148&conn_speed=1
Next I attended the Bite of Seattle, where the Seattle Chowhounders suggested I eat at one local restauranteur's upscale culinary booth, (this man hosts a FODDIE tasting within the bigger event that one can experience for an additional price), anything the Indians would have eaten such as corn, fresh salmon and berries and finally any Asian food booth . . . and there were plenty to choose from: Chinese, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Malaysian etc. Heck, I walked around this event drinking fresh coconut juice straight from a coconut. Awesome!
Seattle's food scene seems to come from what the Asian population has brought with them and their access to fresh fish and the desire to buy local, eat local . . .fresh and in season whatever the land gives you, much like the Indians.
Still working on my photos from that experience . . . sigh!
So, I am now headed to Taste of Colorardo in Denver over Labor Day weekend, and I am needing to know what I should eat there to get a "taste" of your state.
Please see my link below, I want to make sure I hit only the best places that really will demonstrate what Colorado is about from a culinary standpoint.
http://www.atasteofcolorado.com/food.htm
If you can point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it. Then, I guess my bigger question for you is, if I cannot really find a "taste of Colorado" at this festival . . . what restaurants or types of cuisine should I hit outside of my time at the "Taste" to really taste your state? What are the culinary highpoints and the things I must eat to know what food is about in Colorado . . .is there a regional cuisine? Many thanks!
jvergara
Aug 15, 2007 06:11AM
Wow. Trail Dust and Panda Express?! From looking at their line-up, I am reminded why I don't attend the Taste of Colorado. Only a few jumped out at me: Taqueria Jalisco, Panzano, Buenos Aires Grill, and India House. Mustard's Last Stand has good hot dogs, but you'd be better off stopping off at Steve's Snappin' Dogs on East Colfax near Tattered Cover and Twist & Shout (so you can have a side of Camus and U2 with your Thumann's).
Oh, and none of these places are really representative of Colorado cuisine, but they stand out from the Papa Johns and Hard Rock Cafes and other uninspiring options at the festival.
Check other threads here for good recs (Olathe corn, Western Slope peaches, anything slathered in hot green chile, Colorado lamb, lots of restaurants who utilize local farmers, etc.).
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Not the most distinguished list unfortunately. I would hit Rosa Linda's and Tacos Jalisco on the casual list and Panzano's from the fine dining list. I actually have a lot of love for Falafel King, a local chain, but I wouldn't describe it as a "taste of Colorado."
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A Taste of Colorado is a big street fair, whose foods tend to run to not very good versions of such standards as funnel cake and falafel, corn dogs and cheeseburgers, bratwurst and burritos -- all made from mobile kitchens that travel from carnival to carnival, fair to fair. There is a nominal "food court" that purports to offer better fare by local restaurants, but it's nothing like the truly Chowhound-worthy events that dot the Colorado calendar. Probably not worth the trip.
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Thanks to all . . .I understand . . .trust me . . .I've heard it everywhere I have gone. I appreciate the recommendations for "Taste" and will be sure to hit those while I am there doing my research.
Lamb, corn, peaches and hot green chiles are a nice head start into what folks in Colorado call their own cuisine. Restaurants who utilize local farmers is a nationwide restaurant trend right now . . which is so lucky for all of us who get to eat the wonderful dishes that comes from this trend. I had the great fortune to enjoy meals at both Lark and Sita & Spruce while in Seattle and had wonderful dining experiences with both local and foraged food there. I hope to find the same in Denver.
Any other foodie destinations or "must eat" restaurant recommendations while I am in Denver/Boulder would be appreciated. I will check through some other threads as recommended.
Again, many thanks! JV
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Must eat (Boulder): Frasca Food and Wine http://www.frascafoodandwine.com
Frasca is widely regarded as the best place in the state and one of the best in the country.
Must eat (Denver): Fruition http://www.fruitionrestaurant.com
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Terrific recommendations, I now have dinner reservations at Frascas on Sept. 3, Labor Day! Can't thank you enough . . .JV
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You will be there for one of their prix fixe Monday night wine dinners (the wine flight is optional but highly recommended since it's always stellar). I trust you will post your impressions (or is your article including meals outside of the festivals)?
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Update: You will be there on a great evening, as they will be pouring the owners' new wine Scarpetta (made in conjunction with Richard Betts of the Little Nell in Aspen, who will be in house that evening) along with other Betts & Scholl wines. I'm sure we'll try to be at the bar early, so say hi. :) http://www.scarpettawine.com
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Oooo, rim, you are full of good info . . .I am lucky in finding you. The manager asked me if The Monday night prix fixe dinner would be okay, and I assured him that would be fine for the opportunity to dine there while in town. The wine pouring makes me even more excited for this dining adventure . . .the wine sounds unique and personal to them which should give some great insight into their vision for the restaurant.
Yes, of course, will post photos and impressions as a thank you to all for sharing their knowledge. I would love to stop by to thank you for your recommendations. Our reservations are later in the evening, but we plan to come into Boulder early to walk around and have a drink etc. We'll swing by.
I can't thank you enough, I am trying to line up the rest of my time to see if I can also squeeze in your Denver recommendation as well.
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