If you have read this blog much at all, you know that I am slightly OBSESSED with real food. I go out of my way to find it, and it is rare that a restaurant leaves my heart (and stomach) singing. Generally speaking, I am fussy about what we eat, so it’s hard for a chef to produce food where I don’t find a fault. I’ll admit it: I’m kind of a pain. Enter Brother Luck’s Street Eats in Colorado Springs. I have followed Brother Luck a bit in the last few years, always interested on his take on seasonal cuisine. But, I waited to visit until I had guests in town to appreciate it with me. That was a mistake. I am now mourning the meals I have missed in his fabulous establishment. Here’s my take on our visit, and all the reasons I’ll be back!
The Vibe: This is a small restaurant that is unassuming, with no fuss or frills. It’s like sitting down at a dear friend’s house for a bite to eat. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and fun. Our waiter, Paul, did a great job of informing us of the items on the menu, and knew the answers to all my questions about food sourcing. The venue is very family-friendly, with a warm and cozy feel. We were there on a Friday after the lunch rush would have passed, and were seated immediately. They said it gets crowded in the evening, so you may want to call ahead. For dinner and a show, see if the spot looking into the kitchen is open. We passed on that spot…but now I am sorry I did.
Drinks Menu: With regret, we were getting ready for a full day of shopping in nearby Old Colorado City, so we passed on drinks (knowing we would be food-drunk as well soon). However, the drinks menu is fabulous. As a lover of sweet drinks and a mother of rabid Harry Potter fans, it took everything in my limited willpower to not order The Butterbeer…because, seriously, BUTTERBEER! The complimentary popcorn (popped in bacon grease) has a spicy kick that almost shouts to you to have another drink…it’s simply fabulous!
Appetizers: We decided to start off our meal with the Tempura poppers and the Brussel Sprouts. Both were amazing.
I am a HUGE fan of sprouts and I have never met a Brussel sprout I didn’t like…but these sprouts? They will turn a veggie hater into a person who steals the whole bowl! The apple cider gastrique, the brown butter, the red currants, and the candied pecans….oh, the candied pecans…will make you into a believer. I had to stop myself from filling up on these. Yes, they were that good.
But, the Tempura Popper….I am still dreaming of that Tempura Popper. If a warm hug could be wrapped in pillowy goodness, THIS is what it would taste like. Cumin spiced cheese with jalepeno syrup, wrapped in perfectly cooked tempura, served with pickled onions. Those pickled onions make every bite perfection. My only issue with this appetizer is that other people at the table wanted some.
Mains: We ordered a few things and shared, so we could experience as many choices as possible. I will tell you, even with a simple menu, choosing was hard. We wanted to try it all.
A taste of Chef Luck’s Bacon Jam Burger will change your life. First off, it was beautifully cooked. But, that Bacon Jam? I could bathe in that bacon jam. It turns the burger experience up a notch to sheer artistry. Next time I am in, I am ordering the Tiny Burger (which is NOT tiny) so I can experience that jam with pork belly and an egg. It was to die for.
The Hunter’s Stew is a lovely light stew that had an amazing fresh taste. Elk, combined with carrots and potato coins, with a light gravy served tableside…this is not the stew of yesterday. I was worried that it would be too heavy…but it was light and refreshing. The elk was cooked perfectly. This stew is ideal lunch fare.
The Fig Salad was a great plate for lunch as well. The figs were the most tender and delicious I have had in years. It lulled your palate into pure joy with a delicious sherry walnut vinaigrette and bacon lardons. Pure bliss for someone who loves figs as much as I do!
One of my tablemates had the English Cucumber Salad and that was also so fresh tasting, perfectly seasoned and the right balance for a light salad at the beginning of the meal. It was colorful and lively..with just enough zip to make it interesting. This would be my choice for a quick salad lunch.
The New York Steak, with butternut squash and parmesean risotto was a glorious work of art. The butternut was seasoned just right to pair well on a fork with the risotto. With a pomegranate demi, the balance was just right.
We ended our meal by sharing the bread pudding, but after one taste, all at the table wished they had their own. The pumpkin in Chef Luck’s bread pudding is perfectly cooked…and I know my pumpkin! No mushy old fashioned bread pudding here. It was a “just sweet enough” end to our meal. I would drive back just to sit outside and eat that pudding!
The Prices: MORE than reasonable. We ate here for not much more than you would spend at a much lesser restaurant. The quality of the food is vastly superior to anything I have seen in this price range.
The Plating: Pure Artistry….for real. Each plate had the attention of a skilled hand. As each one arrived, you felt like you were at a party being thrown just for you. Gorgeous!
The Service: Our waiter, Paul, did a great job throughout. We had a couple of tiny hiccups in beverage orders and service, but nothing that would affect me visiting Brother Luck’s again. The waiter had a great sense of humor and was friendly. He seemed genuinely glad we stopped by.
We had the pleasure of meeting Brother Luck while we were there as well. He was warm and welcoming, to say the least. He seemed to have a very open personality, and to honestly care about his guests. When he stopped out to say hello (and let us snap a picture with him) my guests were thrilled. It topped off their visit perfectly.
So, if you are a Colorado Native, or if you have plans to visit our fine city…this is a DO NOT MISS on your list of places to eat. Located in Old Colorado City, it is the perfect stopping point for lunch or to end your day with a fabulous dinner. It will not disappoint. Since Chef Luck keeps an eye on seasonal and local sources, the menu changes and evolves according to the time of year, so it’s worth a visit again and again. I have to go back soon, since I left my husband at home during our visit, and now am suffering serious “wife guilt” for that transgression. I know he will enjoy it just as much as I did. Plus, if I don’t stop talking about the Tempura Poppers and the Bacon Jam…he is going to cry.
Stop by and check it out at 1005 W. Colorado Avenue in Colorado Springs. You can also follow Chef Luck and the restaurant on social media. After seeing a few of his dishes, you’ll walk there if necessary!
(Dusty Note: I visited Brother Luck’s as a normal paying customer, so we were not there as any kind of special guest. As you all know, I love to share things I love…but equally will always be honest when I have bad experiences. Hope you enjoyed…and if you stop by…bring me some poppers!)
Much love all!
<3 Dusty Boots
