Fort Collins Local Hangouts, One Local's Opinion

Fort Collins, a residential/college town, is surely not a top tourist destination. Most people come here to investigate Colorado State University, tromp around in the canyon, or make a detour to the Mishawaka Ampitheater. Recently voted the No 1 city to live in by Money magazine, I am proud to call "The Fort" home.

"Great schools, low crime, good jobs in a high-tech economy and a fantastic outdoor life make Fort Collins the No. 1 best place to live. Situated 5,000 feet above sea level with a view of the Rocky Mountains, the city offers restaurants, night life and culture, plus natural attractions like nearby Horsetooth Reservoir for boating and swimming. There are 60 miles of hiking and biking trails, and most major roads have bicycle lanes."  http://CNNMoney.com

Don't worry about what you wear here, as people dress casually to even the nicest restaurants. When you ask someone how to dress for an event, the typical response is a shrug and, "It's Fort Collins."

Quick Tips:

Walk Old Town - Unique clothing and gift shops, bars, and restaurants

Cache La Poudre - Camp in the canyon and play in the river. Take a rafting trip or go tubeing only in the LOWER part of the river.

Hike up Horsetooth! Look for the shape in the mountain range near Horsetooth Ave.

See a Music Concert! Famous bands pass through often, so sometimes you have to choose between two bands on the same night.

Best Way To Get Around:

Having a car is best for long distances. Bikes are perfect for the Old Town area. Buses stop early and the wait for taxis on Friday and Saturday nights can range from 20 minutes to over 1 hour. It is well worth the wait if you have been drinking! There is a strong police presence on the roads at bar closing time. Any bartender will be happy to call a taxi for you.

Avo's, as it's known to the locals, is located just a few blocks north of Colorado State University. It is also within easy walking distance from my home. They serve tasty, inexpensive breakfasts, sandwiches, quiches, and milkshakes. They have a large vegetarian selection, but they do serve meat.

The place is jam-packed every Tuesday night for buy-one-get-one-free tempeh burgers. It is quite the social scene for locals; I always see someone I know. Live bands grace the small stage in the second dining room almost nightly, and bluegrass music is the top favorite. Chill out inside among the painted walls, or outside on the remodeled back patio. Kids play freely in the grass or the tree house. Come on by and say hello, try a tempeh cheese steak sub, and relax for awhile.

There is nothing fancy in this place located at the end of a little strip mall, except the fantastic Mexican offerings. I had forgotten they serve breakfast. Then just yesterday, when a coworker had such a craving for a Los Comales cerdo burrito, she went at 10:30am! Watch your order being made and then load up on salsa, tomitilla sauce, and extras from the bar in the middle of the room.

The staff is efficient and Spanish speaking. Melon aqua and sodas are available. Beer, margaritas, and seafood items are at the restaurant three doors down, where the name keeps changing. There is live music and salsa dancing on weekends.

This is located in the heart of Old Town, with brightly painted walls with ever-changing local art for sale. I must confess that, for 4 years, I've ordered the same thing - fresh pescado tacos. Tender chunks of mahimahi marinated in pineapple juice and spices, available spicy or regular flavor, topped with cheese, onions, cabbage, fresh salsa and drizzled with white sauce. Lime on the side. The selection of flavored margaritas changes; the pomegranate will make ya pucker! Sit by the front window and people-watch.

I tried La Luz's new location towards the south of town and found the same quality, healthy Mexican food. According to the menu, the restaurant is not a chain and has beed locally owned since 1997. They use fresh ingredients, many purchased locally, and all food is prepared from scratch. Once again I had two, fantastic fish tacos on corn tortillas. Tempted to try a shrimp taco, chile relleno or fajita burrito next time. Chicken, beef, pork and many vegetarian options for burritos, quesadillas, tacos or salads. Load up at the fresh salsa bar mild corn salsa to fiery chipotle. Try them all to find your favorite.

It is close to the CSU campus and Old Town and very popular for the freshly prepared vegetarian entrées and delicious breakfasts. In warm weather, dine on the outdoor patio surrounded by trees. An eclectic, alterative, friendly staff work together to serve you. It is busy on weekend mornings.

Nobody I know goes here for the food, as it is quite sub par. The margaritas, on the other hand, are famous around here. "I think they put crack in those things, they're so addictive," is commonly heard.

The Rio has a policy of only three margaritas per person, and that it plenty. My policy with the busy bartenders is two, because I might think I want the third, but I never need it.

The music is loud and it's packed on weekends, often with a line out the door if CSU is in session. There are free salsa dancing lessons every Tuesday. It is a classic way to start an evening in Fort Collins. Go before 8pm to beat the lines; it closes at 11pm.

Yum Yums, a family-owned Middle Eastern restaurant located in a strip mall next to a veterinarian and fast-food drive-thru, is loved by locals. There is a menu on the wall, a counter overlooks the kitchen, and simple tables and chairs are set up. Vegetarians and carnivores both will be satisfied with the delights offered. Scoop up hummos and babajanoush into fresh pitas and have a falafel, gyro, or chicken swamharma. The vegetarian combo includes two falafel, tahini sauce, white rice, a cucumber salad, babajanoush, tabouleh salad and hummos. Tear and dip pitas into salads and mix with other dishes. It is inexpensive, healthy, fresh, and so yummy. Delivery is available.

Don't wait another night to try this hidden gem! Having only sampledNyala's cuisine at the “Taste of Fort Collins” , this was our first visit. At 8:00 on Valentine's Day, most of the tables were still full and now I know why. After a brief wait which gave us time to read the newspaper articles about the restaurant and the owners escape from their home country, we had a seat in the colorful front dining room. Drawn curtains hid the bright walls with posters, art and artifacts all over. The back area has more traditional chairs at small round tables.

The waitress was super friendly with a smile plastered on her face all night. Very helpful with the menu, explaining the vegetables that accompany the meals and spice levels are mild, medium and hot. Bread with a spicy dipping sauce is served before the meal. We decided on the special, Shrimp Tibs sauteed onions, tomatoes, peppers with hot Ethopian spices. Offered reguarly on the menu with chicken, beef or lamb. Yeatkilt Wot, cabbage, potatoes carrots with mild spices filled the other half of the tray. Lined with tradtional bread, injera, and yellow split peas, green beans and carrots, collard greens and Ethopian salad down the middle, the meal made a great presentation.

Each dish has it's own unique flavor and does not disappoint. Collard greens were new to both of us and voted bottom on our list. Both entrees and Yekik Alicha, yellow split peas, were hits!
Many choices for vegetarians and meat eaters. Duba Wot, a butternut squash stew, is something I tried before and enjoyed. We will be back sooner than later to sample new dishes.

Owner Angela Ramdass recently moved her restaurant close to CSU from a sleepy part of town. Found inside the campus west Shell station, yes a gas station, with food from Trinidad and Tobago.

A certain rotund travel show host introduced the "Bake N Shark" to the masses. Proclaimed as the "best sandwich in the world", I have to say I am thrilled to be able to eat this at home in Colorado! Freshly breaded and fried shark topped with tamarind sauce and slae. It was fantastic and so filling!

"Street Vendor" Doubles are sauteed chickpeas inside fried barra bread. The filling was flavored with curry and the bread is chewy.

Choka is a Caribbean salsa, "Death by Choka" is only for the brave!

So many items left to try, including the pumpkin flown in from Trinidad made into soup or served as a side Roti sandwichs and Aloo pie.

Everything is freshly prepared but go before 7pm. Practically a one woman operation and she closes early.

On the first Friday of every month year round from 6 to 9pm, art galleries welcome the public with complimentary wine and food, which ranges from fancy appetizers to box wine depending on where you go. My favorites are the amateur artists showing works in second-hand clothing stores and basements under stores in the Pedestrian Mall. The rock-and-roll Walnut Street Gallery on Linden has an ever-changing selection of famous musician’s art or photos of celebrities and Dr. Seuss drawings. Grace Slick was in attendance for a showing of her work, with detailed drawings and paintings of Alice's tales and the white rabbit. Stroll through the downtown area, where you should look for the signs hanging outside of galleries. Maps are available in the Friday paper.

There is a hip, relaxed atmosphere in this darkly painted bar outfitted with large booths and tables with high stools. They have a wide selection of regular and flavored martinis, from double dirty to fruity sweet, all with special names. My absolute fav is the Naked in the Woods, which is like adult chocolate. Made with creme de cocoa, creme de minte and goldschlager, served with a cherry. I also like the tequila martinis if I started the evening with a margarita. An absolute must are the local made sesame crackers. Spread on the pesto and pine nut cream cheese dip or just ask for an order of crackers. This place is very popular with the locals, so get there early. Line forms on weekends about 9:30. Perfect spot after you have explored Old Town for the First Friday Art Walk.

New Belgium Brewery has a mindful philosophy and tasty beers! The owners were inspired during a biking tour of Belgium and brought the art of Belgian-style brewing home to Colorado. This company strives to be socially and environmentally responsible. The nation's first 100% wind-powered brewery also donates $1 from every barrel sold to charity. After one year, employees are given ownership and an old-style Flyer bicycle. After five years of service, employees are taken on a bicycle tour of Belgium! Needless to say, these bikes are coveted around town, and hundreds of locals dream of working at the brewery. Stop by and take the tour. Sit down in the tasting room to sample. If you are lucky enough to live in the western states, pick up a Fat Tire for a taste of Belgium via Colorado.

It started with three college students, a video camera, and a trip to the Sudan. They ended up in northern Uganda and were introduced to the "night commuters". Every night thousands of children walk from villages into the nearest city looking for safety. Why are they not safe sleeping in their own homes? Since 1988 members of the Lord's Resistance Army have been fighting against the government for unclear reasons. Support is not strong and there are not enough adults willing to fight, so children are kidnapped and forced to become child soldiers. The students interviewed walkers and former soldiers about their tragic experiences and fears. Once they heard the stories, the students knew they must act and turned the footage into the film "Invisible Children".

To get the word out, they bought an RV and toured the country showing the film at most major universities. People were inspired to buy the CD to show their friends and organize showings at churches and coffee shops. The heartbreaking true experiences the children in Uganda face should not be endured by any child on earth. Knowing how people would want to help, the filmmakers were ready with a plan of action. Donations fund a program for children to attend school and a sustainable bracelet business is well underway. Still, it's not enough and most major media outlets ignored this issue. The Global Night Commute was born.

Thousands of supporters agreed to sleep in their downtowns on April 29, 2006. Volunteers worked in 100's of cities to organize and publicize the events. So many emailed and phoned Oprah that the filmmakers appeared on her program days before the commute. My friends and I walked to our downtown sporting buttons and stickers on our sleeping bags. Drivers and diners looked confused to see many people with gear streaming into Old Town. We joined about 400 others that bedded down for the night on the bricks of the pedestrian mall, writing letters to politicians and drawings for kids in Uganda. Being a busy Saturday night surrounded by bars, we explained to many drunk inquirers what we were doing until our voices were hoarse. Around 6am we woke for a group photo and packed up to walk home. Sadly, the local paper ignored our emails and did not cover the commute. The university paper showed up and coverage was strong for other cities. One of the "stars" of the film, Jacob, attended the commute in San Diego with the filmmakers and was brought to tears by the sight of over 2,000 people in unity with his people. Jacob is now attending school thanks to donations. This is just the beginning. Ongoing support and awareness is still needed. The simplest way to help, that doesn't cost a cent, is by searching the Internet through www.goodsearch.com. Enter your charity of choice, surf like normal, and one penny is donated. Check out www.invisiblechildren.com to see the whole story and see how you are inspired to act.