Tacos Rapidos, Denver, Colorado

The best Mexican food I've had in...close to ever. And I lived in Texas for many years where the Mexican food is hard to parallel. This is as authentic as authentic Mexican food gets. It is a drive-thru/walk-up and came highly recommended by a Mexican friend. Perfect. Everything was homemade and I felt as though I was experiencing recipes passed down from several generations of Mexican cooks. It was literally everything I want out of Mexican food, unique flavors (we've all had a Mexican enchilada that tastes like the gordita that tastes like the chimichanga), amazing tortillas, homemade tomatillo sauce and hot sauce. Notable dishes...I had a combination taco and enchilada and also a torta sandwich, no lettuce. These were divine. I mean DIVINE. Like, I will be back tomorrow...or maybe even tonight. Open 24 hours a day.

Red Rocks Grill, Morrison, Colorado

Nestled in the eclectic, restaurant row of Morrison, Colorado, Red Rocks Grill could easily be passed by in anticipation of the business-as-usual chain-tasting burger and thick potato Applebees fries. BUT, dear readers, that would be a shame. Red Rocks Grill offers great food and a great mining town ambience (Lauren the bobcat?). Let's get to the goods, though. A must have- the monte cristo. A turkey and ham sandwich, fried like a donut, topped with powdered sugar and served with seedy, rustic jam.

If you're not itching for a heart attack, though, we recommend the garden burger served with green chiles. Add jalepenos and a touch of mayonnaise for the best veggie burger west of the Mississipi. We like spice, though, so reader beware.

Red Rocks Grill, we forked you, and we approve. 

Creekside Cellars in Evergreen, Colorado

Today we had the pleasure of stumbling upon Creekside Cellars in Evergreen, Colorado. While there were many high notes of this trip, the most notable was the antipasta platter for two ($28). This rustic appetizer was plenty for a full lunch and included decadent italian meats (think Dean and Deluca), artisan olives, herbed goat cheese, stuffed peppers, quartered potatoes, ciabatta bread, croutons, and a generous assortment of imported cheese (all of the classics). Paired with a house white wine, the only thing we could have asked for was to be sitting on a patio overlooking a rushing mountain stream. Oh wait, they have that covered, too.

Creekside Cellars, we've forked you, and we approve.