Country Road Cafe

Cuisine:  American

open:  Tuesday - Sunday 7am -1:45pm.  closed Mondays

26490 Highway 74, Kittredge, CO

303 674-1178

countryroadcafe.com

Price:  $  (nothing over $10)

brunch:  no

outdoor dining:  enclosed patio

reservations:  no

late night:  no

There may be no better reason for a drive west to Kittredge than to enjoy breakfast or lunch at this 13 year old cozy restaurant.  The pine tables and paneling, walls covered with homey sayings and singing deer head outside the front door bring the casual ambiance of the backwoods to life.  Even the food is of lumberjack proportions.  The dining room is small, but they extend their service with an enclosed and heated patio that can be used most of the year.  Be prepared to sign up and wait for a table on weekend mornings, which you'll need to study their extensive menu.  Start off with a latte' or cappuccino while planning your dining strategy. Country Road does offer the usual fare for breakfast with dinner-plate size pancakes, french toast, biscuits and gravy, breakfast panini's and eggs any way.  But don't stop there, check the daily board for the specials and then read on to discover their seven types of eggs Benedict, over a dozen types of omelets and their specialty worth driving for - their famous Smashed Mashed bowls.  Seven varieties of gargantuan bowls of homemade mashed potatoes smothered in various toppings - a favorite being the Poblano pepper Smashed with eggs, ham, tomatoes, poblano peppers, cheddar and chipotle cream. Breakfast burritos and wraps also abound.  If it's lunch fare you're looking for, Country Road offers an extensive variety of beef, chicken and vegetarian sandwiches, 1/2 pound burgers and unique salads.  The homemade curly fries and potato chips make the perfect sandwich accompaniment.  The Clear Creek Quesadilla starts off with a cheese quesadilla topped with eggs, ham, bacon, more cheddar, home fries, homemade pico de gallo and avocado - whew!  Make sure and sample their four homemade bottled hot sauces: Kinda Hot, Not So Hot, Hot, and Really Hot along with their habanero mustard.  Then bring the taste of Country Road home - the sauces and mustard are available for purchase.

Bills Trip Notes:

    The Country Road Cafe in Kittredge is a local treasure. Go up Highway 8 from Morrison and you’ll find it at the west end of Kittredge at 26490 Highway 74. You’ll meet local, fellow tourists, maybe even an artist or two, but they all have a common bond. They’re hungry!

Mark’s solid menu leaves ‘em all smiling for three reasons: it’s all good food well prepared; it’s priced right, and; there’s enough of it to provide  decent second meal for all but the most voracious of appetites.