Best of the West 2014 – Food

MEXICAN:

EFRAIN’S

It’s a pleasurable surprise to find authentic Mexican food in Lafayette. Based off family recipes from Northern Mexico, the tasty Costillas, salted margaritas, and crunchy homemade chips at affordable prices keep you coming back. Multiple locations

AGAVE BISTRO & TEQUILA HOUSE

It doesn’t boast hibachi theatrics, but chefs at Agave will make fresh guacamole tableside and deliver entrees sizzling on skillets. Don’t let the tacky shopping plaza façade scare you away. 2845 28th St, Boulder

PATIO:

LA REVOLUCION

Playing to the refreshing Colorado weather, La Revolucion’s spacious concrete patio is adorned with covered high-tops. Even the building converts into an outdoors double-sided bar. 701 Main St, Louisville

THE MED

Picture this: umbrella’s filtering the summer sun, and bacon-wrapped dates on the table from the happy hour menu. As a total package, open air munching doesn’t get much better. 1002 Walnut St, Boulder

LUNCH:

THE OFF CAMPUS CAFE

Off Campus Café entices with sizzling meats and melting cheese while the ginger-peach pie sets your stomach grumbling. 2600 Campus Dr, Lafayette

DUSCHANBE TEA HOUSE

A Tajikistan-style teahouse in the middle of Colorado? Yezzir. Lunch fare matches the ornate décor, like duck bulgoli and harissa chicken. 1770 13th St, Boulder

SANDWICH:

PORCH FRONT DELI

Bite into their large handcrafted sandwiches or design your own. Try the popular cold Porch Club or the hot Reuben—both are sure to satisfy your stomach while preserving your wallet. 641 Main St, Louisville

SEAFOOD:

TORTUGA’S

Hidden in Longmont, this Caribbean- and Cajun-based seafood restaurant imbues its guests with carefree relaxation and Voodoo shrimp. 218 Coffman St, Longmont

JAX FISH HOUSE

When outsiders scoff at seafood in a landlocked state, Jax is the go-to rebuttal—just ask for a bib. The seafood nails it so good, you’d think the coast of Maine were out the front door. 928 Pearl St, Boulder

PIZZA:

PIZZERIA LOCALE

It’s hard to capture the essence and culinary finesse of Locale in words. Fueled by a Stefano Ferrara oven sent straight from Naples and run by the Frasca team, it’s the apex of luxury pizza. 1730 Pearl St, Boulder

STEAK:

VILLAGE TAVERN

Decorated with dark wooden furniture, this is how the Village Tavern does fine dining: hand-cut steaks aged for 28 days. ‘Nuff said. 100 W Flatiron Crossing Dr, Broomfield 

BOULDER CORK

In a field of foreign-inspired eateries, the Cork is resolute in its homegrown gastronomy, keeping its menu Americana and avoiding the mashed ‘taters, country-buffet stereotype. 3296 30th St, Boulder