Choosing a burger in the Pikes Peak Region might be harder than it seems.
Words by Robin Intemann
The Bessemer Burger from Bingo Burger • Photo courtesy of Bingo Burger
The Odyssey Burger from Odyssey Gastropub • Photo by Matt Morris, @mmorrisphotography_
Skirted Heifer's namesake burger is "deliciously gooey" • Photo by Matt Morris, @mmorrisphotography_
The Front Range BBQ Burger is not to be missed • Photo by Matt Morris, @mmorrisphotography_
The O’Byrne Burger from Thunder & Buttons • Photo by Matt Morris, @mmorrisphotography_
The Original Buffalo Burger from Garden of the Gods Trading Post • Photo by Matt Morris, @mmorrisphotography_
The Veggie Quinoa Burger from Manitou Brewing Company • Photo by Matt Morris, @mmorrisphotography_
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(Editor’s note: Many restaurants are observing and enforcing current COVID-19 guidelines. Please call ahead if you need special accommodations or reservations.)
Choosing a burger might be harder than selecting a winning bingo card. The difference is that you’re always a winner here. The choices are many, including type of protein (beef, lamb, chicken, wild salmon and veggie), which are only surpassed by the numerous toppings and combinations if opting for the build-your-own-burger. The namesake features Colorado beef with fire-roasted Pueblo green chili. Choose from nine cheeses (house-made pimento is a favorite), vegies and bun – gluten-free and lettuce wrap available.
It doesn’t matter if you sink a hole-in-one or whiff more than you want to admit; the expansive view of America’s Mountain, the golf course and canopies of old-growth trees is hard to beat whether sitting on the patio or inside the historic clubhouse. The Pikes Peak Double Burger provides an impressive distraction. Two grilled patties, melted cheddar with fresh tomatoes, slices of red onion and leaf lettuce can be upgraded with crispy bacon for the best score of the day.
Odyssey Gastropub
311 N. Tejon; odysseygastropub.com
Don’t despair if you happen to sleep in and potentially miss the chance for bacon and eggs in the morning. Here you can have your breakfast for lunch or dinner thanks to the Odyssey Burger. It features Colorado beef, topped with a fried egg, bacon, cheddar and green chili to really wake up the senses. Original artwork and cool architectural features will capture your attention – at least until the food arrives.
The menu offers a definition of skirted, which is important if you’re a fan of cheeseburgers. This isn’t simply a slice plopped atop a beef patty. Here it’s “an extra layer of melted cheddar cheese resembling a skirt.” The cheese oozes over the burger while still on the grill and caramelizes. Yes, it hangs over the bun making for a deliciously-gooey mess. There are plenty of accoutrements to enhance it further: house-made dill pickles and roasted garlic, among many others.
Old Colorado City:
Front Range Barbecue Smokehouse Bar and Grill
2330 W. Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs; frbbq.com
A hamburger might not be the first thing coming to mind at a barbecue place, but at Front Range it shouldn’t be missed. That’s because it gets the same sweet and tangy s
auce that elevates the brisket and pulled pork at this Old Colorado City mainstay. This hand-formed, house-smoked angus beef patty is also boosted with cheddar cheese and thick peppery bacon. It comes with the usual lettuce, tomatoes and pickles, but the crunchy onion straws are a welcome surprise.
In its heyday, Old Colorado City boasted 21 saloons including the building now home to Thunder and Buttons. It’s lively past is surpassed only by its commitment to quality, creative food. Consider the O’Byrne Burger, named for a regular at most of the bars back in the 1880s. What sets this all-natural Colorado beef burger served on a brioche bun apart is the tangy Cajun remoulade and fried pickles. The pepper Jack cheese provides a little extra kick.
The Balanced Rock Café located in the historic Garden of the Gods Trading Post is about as close to the old west as you can get. This is only part of what makes the buffalo burgers so appealing. Choose from four options highlighting locally-sourced buffalo: Original, Cheeseburger, Ultimate and Southwestern. The grilled green chili and pepper Jack cheese may inspire you to kick up your heels when you taste the latter.
The family-friendly, popular Manitou Springs dining establishment is all about the food, and the beverages, but mostly about the food. Ten types of burgers are available, from turkey to vegie, from classic beef to buffalo. All are flame-kissed on the grill in the open kitchen and most are available in six or nine-ounce size. Every burger is a two-fisted juicy meal that when ordering the larger serving is big enough to share, but you may not want to.
The veggie quinoa burger on a brioche bun boasts creativity in every bite. A patty made from the namesake grain, black beans, roasted corn and red pepper is topped with tortilla chips. Half-pound beef burgers will satisfy those with a craving for something more traditional. The Incline, named after the nearby hiking trail, is topped with bacon, Swiss and Cheddar cheeses, Ranch dressing and jalapenos. However, you may choose to recline and enjoy one of the several beers brewed on-site.
Don’t be disappointed there aren’t 50 different burgers because the choices are still impressive. Choose from craft beer or creamy milkshakes to help extinguish the fire from the Bonfire. This highrise of a burger features custom-blended, ground brisket slathered with red chili sauce, blue cheese, garlic mayo, onion rings with a challah bun (gluten-free available) topped with fried jalapenos. The Milk Run turkey burger, for less daring palates, combines provolone cheese, smashed avocado and a Dijon mustard/mayo blend.
Robin Intemann’s passions include food, books, friends and family (although not necessarily in that order). She teaches journalism, and has contributed freelance work to numerous area publications. Her blog is https://bluepagespecial.com/.
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