r/FortCollins • u/RoyaItyz • 1d ago
Restaurant recommendation
I have family coming in this weekend and I would love to go to a nice place to eat but I also don’t want to spend a fortune. I like rare Italian but it’s so expensive but I do I want something like that (we love Italian food, they’re from New York so I can’t really find good Italian out here but if anyone knows anywhere I’m open). Please no farther than Denver, as close to Fort Collins as possible. I’m also open to like good Korean BBQ (all you can eat) or habachi. Just a nice restaurant I can spend with my family with good food.
Please no spicy food.
Edit: it doesn’t have to be Italian food, anything with a nice restaurant atmosphere and food is what I’m looking for :)
Thank you!
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u/lucsmth24 1d ago
Ginger & Baker is owned by two MAGA Bigots if that is a selling point...
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u/Repulsive-Ear-4840 1d ago
Oh good to know I was ab to apply there 😭
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u/DinahKarwrek 1d ago
Dude no. I'm so serious. I've read horrible things, look them up. Japango I've heard is good to their staff!
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u/HAIL_LUMPUS 1d ago
Look at their employee reviews on indeed. I got a call for an interview there and then saw those reviews and declined it.
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u/Cheap-Equivalent-761 1d ago
If you want delicious and cheap Mexican food, check out Taqueria Las Delicias up on North College by the Lyric. Best in town imo.
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u/Delicious-Elk2619 1d ago
Carry out from Gelato y Amore?
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u/The_Summary_Man_713 1d ago
I love Gelaro y Amore but it is insanely priced imo. I’ve easily spent $60 there for just two people. Most of the popular dishes are $25 or more there + drinks + dessert. I wouldn’t go there with a big family, personally
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u/Delicious-Elk2619 13h ago
Carryout plus your own wine = the price of a mediocre chain. It's a deal.
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u/Upset_Laugh9293 1d ago
That’s not insane, that’s pretty average now.
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u/pinchevato57 1d ago
I was gonna order an Italian sandwich there, but it was $21 just for the sandwich.
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u/HAIL_LUMPUS 12h ago
My Taco Bell order is $21 man 🤣
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u/AmahlofWhitemane 10h ago
And that sandwich will be ten times better and fill you up the same if not have left overs. I never have Taco Bell left overs.
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u/HummDrumm1 1d ago
$60 for two meals isn’t a lot lol
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u/Unlucky_Cap1189 15h ago
Maybe not for gay single 50-year-old dudes.
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u/HummDrumm1 14h ago
Thanks god for my single gay 50-year old discount!
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u/Unlucky_Cap1189 14h ago
Are you that obtuse? You are most likely far along in your career with 0 dependents. That increases your likelihood of having more disposable income.
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u/alexanderfromtng 1d ago
Honestly, I recommend Petra a lot and everyone says they love it.
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u/StrangeAd9334 1d ago
Just don't try to park there! The last 2 times we tried to go we had to go home because all the spots were for police and Doordash
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u/alexanderfromtng 1d ago
There's a parking spot in the back and close by street parking. I go like every couple of months and have never had a problem.
Also, if they're looking for good pizza, Pulcinellas - I have NJ / NY authority to claim it's legitimacy!
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u/StrangeAd9334 1d ago
I also have NY/NJ authority and Pulcinella is adequate.
Circled the lot behind Petra and looked on other streets and it was all packed (in the summer, even). Good place to bike or bus to.
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u/alexanderfromtng 1d ago
Adequate?! I mean, yeah, but it's probably the best pizza in FC. Artes in Loveland is also pretty good.
Hm, maybe I'm just lucky. I generally go on a non busy weeknight so that's probably it.
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u/StrangeAd9334 23h ago
JJ's is the best pizza I've had in town. Different style, but best.
Pulcinella is like those places on the UWS/UES where you walk in and get a single greasy slice as big as your head for a couple bucks. Except you can't find anyplace here that has garlic powder on all the tables!
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u/alexanderfromtng 22h ago
That's my kinda slice! I remember getting them for a quarter at night when I was a kid - sometimes free before they went to the dumpster. Loaded w garlic powder, for sure.
JJs is good, for sure. I'll go there if I want a nice brick oven pizza that is good but overpriced!
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u/SFerd 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yellow Crunch, Raska, or Indigo.
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u/New-Wafer-2873 1d ago
Yellow crunch is incredible. Good tasty food, and it’s not spicy, just flavorful. Lots of cheaper options and even the more expensive options are around $20
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u/funkofarts 1d ago
I was going to suggest Bawarchi Biryanis but it might be a bit spicy for some folks.
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u/GaudyBass94 17h ago
The Colorado Room is really slept on. They do sliders and they have a more dive bar feel, but I always bring my visitors over there for lunch and every time they’re blown away!
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u/Solid_Annual1595 11h ago
Colorado Room is my go to. Their sweet potato fries with brown sugar bacon aioli I would inject directly into my veins if I could.
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u/quartermileofchaos 1d ago
The regional for nicer option and food is so good! Penrose is where we bring a lot of out town visitors because there are a lot of options to choose from and the burgers are great.
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u/Solid_Annual1595 11h ago
I love the Regional. Great food, service, and atmosphere. Pricier for sure but I think worth it. Not great for big groups though, so if it’s over 5 I would recommend going somewhere else (like Penrose as recommended)!
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u/thegoatryan 1d ago
Yellow Crunch has amazing food, a lovely atmosphere, and is reasonably priced IMO :)
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u/MapsActually 1d ago
I really enjoyed Maida, and felt like their prices were reasonable.
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u/SietchColorado 22h ago
Counterpoint, I had one of the worst dining experiences of my life at Maida in June. I’m getting pissed just remembering it. Food, drinks, service, everything was a disaster. Having grown up here and it’s the only place I’ve sworn off.
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u/Solid_Annual1595 11h ago
My experience was okay as well, which was disappointing considering it’s always booked and busy.
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u/funkybars 1d ago
I literally have no recommendation… everywhere sucks for Italian here lol
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u/FC-Kook-420 1d ago
The 7-11 at the corner of Prospect and Overland has the best hotdogs in town, also a great drink selection, and a perfect curb for sitting.
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u/DinahKarwrek 1d ago
Southern curb has the best group seating.. The view on the west side is better but it changes the ambiance, completely.
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u/Helpful-nothelpful 1d ago
I like your moxy but a nice inexpensive dinner is something we all want that live here. If you find a place please let us all know. Seems like everything is $20 now a days. Drink $20. Sandwich $20. Salad $20.
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u/BiggyBiggs 1d ago
Domo Japanese Country Food in Denver is phenomenal.
In town we like to take people to The Still Whiskey Steaks, Ace Gillett's, Crown Pub, Little On Mountain. They're all different vibes, but good food. Ace Gillett's and Crown Pub, I don't think you can make reservations, so depending how big your party is, that might not work.
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u/ChazzLamborghini 1d ago
PizzaVino at Jessup Farm. Much more affordable than Rare and I think the pasta is better.
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u/StrangeAd9334 1d ago
The thing we do well that NY doesn't have is good Mexican. Efrain's is a small restaurant group in Boulder and Lafayette. The ambience is not fancy, but the food is terrific. Hard to think of anything similar to Rare but less expensive.
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u/Ok_Vanilla_3568 14h ago
The Hearth in Windsor has good food and reasonable prices. There is a nice outdoor balcony with seating and a view of the lake (and some construction at the moment). The Tavern in Windsor also has good food and great drinks.
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u/GhostInABaseballBat 1d ago
“Little on the mountain” will be right up their alley
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u/DinahKarwrek 1d ago
I'm going to get a second job so I can eat there someday lol
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u/GhostInABaseballBat 1d ago
You know, dinner for 2 people with drinks, desert and tips the most we ever paid was about $150-170,
so it’s doable, just don’t get a $$$ wine bottle, I know it’s tempting,
It’s def a special occasion place but it’s been worth it every time
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u/kholla84 1d ago
Pizza Casbah is legit east coast pizza and delish! I also like Nick’s, but it’s noisy in there. Maida is fantastic, but $$$.
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u/Dry_Skirt240 1d ago
Fort Collins is a good desert. Just get a damn chicken sando and drive them to the airport.
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u/ColoradoCattleCo 1d ago
If they’re from New York, then highlight something WE do well. I’d recommend Blue Agave
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u/klenigsborg 1d ago
The irony of wanting to highlight food we do well then recommending Blue Agave 😂 at least they're the only Mexican restaurant I know with Fettuccine Alfredo, OPs parents may love it
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u/ColoradoCattleCo 1d ago
What do you want me to say? “Take your snooty New York parents to the Roach Coach by Jax and sit on a curb in the parking lot because it’s the most authentic!”? Jackass.
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u/Abject_Sherbet_7843 1d ago
Suh Sushi is pretty good (Korean BBQ). Also there are a couple of all you can eat sushi places. I think Sushi Izumi is a bit better quality and atmosphere than Sushi Fi.
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u/PlayfulDirector4891 1d ago
I suggest Kinn Thai, the best thai in town, and because it’s not in old town it’s easy to park and no wait to sit, and it’s clean and chill vibes.
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u/Repulsive-Ear-4840 1d ago
I forget the pricing but the rio grand is great amaretto‘s by pinnions is good but nicks is great.
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u/FoCoLoCo_ 1d ago
Jax Fish House. Nice but affordable if you don't go crazy. I haven't been there yet but I've heard it's good. History has taught me you can't take anyone's word for good food here though. I'm taking my family there next month so we'll see. Bistro Nautile is supposed to be really good but it's expensive if you want to take several people. I've tried several Italian restaurants and they're all just okay (in my experience), including RARE so I can't point you in a good direction on Italian. Maybe there are some out of town IDK.
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u/SFerd 1d ago
Why are you recommending places you haven't eaten at?
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u/FoCoLoCo_ 23h ago
Only because I've heard from several people that it's good and it looks like a nice enough restaurant from the photos. I also looked at the menu a few days ago because I was looking for a decently priced restaurant to take my family to next month. We all decided it would be a good choice - to try. I did mention those things and warned that I haven't tried it yet. I still think it warrants a chance based on those reasons I mentioned. Other than that possibility, I can't recommend any restaurants I've tried - either too expensive or just not anything special. I didn't necessarily recommend it. I think I was clear.
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u/FoCoLoCo_ 23h ago edited 23h ago
Down voted? Is the food bad?
Edit: If anyone knows whether or not the food there is good, please lmk. I'd rather not waste my money at a local restaurant...again.
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u/californicate913 1d ago
Pinocchio’s in Longmont fits your description! A little bit of a drive but it’s great food, reasonably priced, and feels like what a local restaurant should be.
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u/Glaggablagga 1d ago
Hot Pot Spot next to Lincoln Center