Wingin It

Located in a strip mall in NW Loveland near the DMV, Wing Shack is another local success story. Started in 2004 in Garden City (near Greeley) in an actual shack, it has grown to 6 locations today. Not a ton of ambience here: the requisite sticky floor, and some video games. But, they care about the food. Now I am not a wing nut, but they are in my family, and they say this place is good. They have a ton of homemade sauces to choose from, and even some dry rubs. Only fresh, never-frozen wings served here. Monday's are still 50-cent wing night.

It was not too long ago that most restaurants would toss the wings out with the trash: just mostly bones, anyway, not much meat. That changed when some inventive chefs started deep frying them just right, and adding some hot sauce. Soon they became a nice appetizer. Then only for sporting events (hard to buy wings right before the Super Bowl). Today they are the main course at places like this one. So, I guess I just don't get it. They are still mostly selling you sauced, fried bones. Eating them is messy and takes some work, with little gain. I'd be OK going back to the old days where the wings just ended up in the trash. But, one man's trash is another's treasure, I guess.

No Horse Meat Here

The Palomino is a newish, local Tex Mex place near the Budweiser, technically in NE Loveland, but darn near being in Windsor or in FoCo. Up above we have their chili relleno (stuffed peppers) plate. Everything tasted good here. We'll be back. One of two locations, the first one is in Greeley / Evans.

If You Have to Translate the Sign, It's Gotta Be Good

The "Authentic Tortilleria and Bakery" is the anglicized name for this quaint but fun hole-in-the wall venue in Downtown Loveland, near the Library on 4th. Cheapest, most authentic burritos in NoCo, at $3. These really are burr-itos, that is, small (-ito, as one of the Spanish diminutives). Those other places should really call them burros, because eating donkey-sized wraps is not easy, and nothing about them is -ito. Up above is a breakfast burr-ito with eggs and chorizo (Sp. sausage). Nap after not required, but delicious. Do not expect a ton of ambiance here. This place is more grocery than restaurant, so you will probably have to eat outside on a picnic table right near your car.

Be "Delite"d

Dairy Delite is that small-town ice cream stand you've been looking for. Located on the west side of Loveland on US-34, it has been around since 1978. Be sure to come by when it's warm out -- they close seasonally during November - March. They are known for their soft-serve creations, such as the hot fudge sundae above, which they call a Peanut Parfait. But they also serve food: their Chicago Dog is wrapped in foil, above. The owners moved to NoCo from Chicago, so they should know what a Chicago Dog is. It is a hot dog served with a salad inside: lots of yummy veggies with a dash of seasoning -- maybe it's celery salt. A "Delite"ful visit.

Gotta Be Illegal

Does OldTown FoCo have room for yet another burrito bistro? Looks like the answer is: Yes. Illegal Pete's is another CO startup from Boulder, which began in 1995, and now has 9 locations. This one is on Walnut right behind the Wright Life sports store.

Up above we have a steak and potato smothered burrito with a side of chips and queso. IP gets strong points for ambience: a fun space for the college students to gather, visit, listen to music, and hang out upstairs or on the rooftop patio.
But, it has been a while since I was in college, and to me the food is just OK, and kinda pricey. So look for me at Matador (not the new Mall one) instead.

Moon Man

Here's another strip-mall stir-fry place in W. Loveland, by the Safeway near Wilson. It's called Main Moon, and is the cousin to the similar place in S.E. FoCo called China Wok. They used to be co-owned, but split up about 10 years ago. Up above we have Hunan Beef with their hot & sour soup. Cheap, plentiful, freshly stir-fried & tasty eats for about $7. This place does a lot of delivery / carry out business, so the ambience is low, with a small dining area and disposable dishes and silverware. I have noticed that at the Loveland version, you need to ask for extra heat / spice. Not so in FoCo. This may be a reflection of Loveland's reputation for an older, retired population with apparently more sensitive palates.

It's an Old Stove, Not What you Look Like if you Eat Here

This place just opened right across from HP on East Harmony: Potbelly Sandwich Shop. This is a big chain with over 400 locations, with 10 now in CO. They are also planning another location in Old Town FoCo soon. This location is not a franchise, but directly owned by the parent (publicly traded) corporation.

This eatery got its start in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. Owners of an antique store decided to start serving sandwiches as a side business in 1977. The food soon outsold the old junk, but the antique stove still remains as their logo. Still a revered institution back in Chicago, I hear.

Up above we have a custom roast beef "biggie" with extra meat, cheese, hot peppers (a must), mayo, oil, and spices. Pretty good stuff, but not cheap with the extras. Kinda reminds me of Quiznos: everything gets toasted, served nice and hot.

Get here early for lunch: like most new places, the FoCo locals are coming out -- the line can be long.