Boulder Reporting Lab is debuting a monthly roundup of food and restaurant happenings — openings, closings and events — to help you stay on top of the local food scene. This isn’t a comprehensive list, but rather a selection of happenings that are capturing attention and that we think are worth checking out around town this month. We also want to hear from you! If there’s an event or other happening you think we should feature, email us at food@boulderreportinglab.org and let us know. Happy eating drinking, and socializing this month, and check out all of our food and drink coverage.
Open!
Shreddy’s Tacos started as a food truck serving authentic Baja, Mexico street tacos in Winter Park and has opened its first brick-and-mortar location in South Boulder in the former Beau Jo’s site at 2690 Baseline Road. Located at the corner of Baseline and 27th Street in South Boulder, it features convenient underground bike and walking paths near its doors, ideal for neighbors and the CU campus. Notably, you can buy taco packs, ranging from a trio to an epic pack of 100. They’re open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Boulder’s Wednesday Farmers Market opened on May 1. Visit the market on 13th Street between Arapahoe and Canyon from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. There are 52 vendors Wednesdays, plus a beer garden for happy hour. You’ll find kombucha and coffee to go with the dozen-plus ready-to-eat foods.
Some vendors are only available on Wednesday or Saturday, so check the Boulder County Farmers Markets site to make sure your favorites have a tent on the day you want to go. You can also find musician schedules, guest vendors and prepared food vendor lists on the site. Boulder’s Saturday market is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with 72 vendors and an artisan market every second Saturday of the month.
Longmont’s Farmers Market is held only on Saturdays at the Boulder County Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. It boasts 68 vendors, plus musicians, artisans (every fourth Saturday of the month) and a free kids’ activity center in partnership with Firehouse Arts Center.
Also relatively new to Boulder: Boulder Swim Club, High Country and Garage Sale Vintage.
Closing…
The owners of 1914 House in Niwot announced that their restaurant will close in late July, citing increasing operational costs, including property taxes, food and labor costs and rising utility rates such as electricity and sanitation district increases.
“The economics of the business have reached a point where it is unfortunately unsustainable. Expenses have collectively escalated to levels that exceed our ability to increase prices,” owner Nick Mastronardi told the Left Hand Valley Courier.
The community’s response was swift, marked by both surprise and support on the Nifty Niwot page for the Mastronardi family, who created a restaurant that is often a packed house. The restaurant features Chef Justin Hirshfield’s enticing menu, a sunny patio and craft cocktails — served by staff who make you feel like you’re part of the family. Weighing in just as enthusiastically were locals criticizing everything from minimum wage increases, Boulder tax rates and food prices, paired with worry that independent restaurants will continue to struggle and not survive the economic demands.
1914 House serves a broad American menu with Italian highlights, seafood and daily specials. It opened in 2015 and has been a draw for the 2nd Street business area, especially on Rocks & Rails summer concert nights where diners arrive hours before the shows to have drinks and dinner. They will remain open for full service and regular hours Wednesday through Sunday, from 4 to 8 p.m. until the final closing date is scheduled.
Special Events
Derby Day, Saturday, May 4
The St. Julien is known for its Kentucky Derby horse race party on the terrace with a view of the Flatirons, featuring mint juleps, a fancy hat contest and live music. The event is free to attend from 1 to 5 p.m., but those who want the VIP experience can buy a $130 ticket for reserved seating, a buffet and open bar.
West End Tavern has derby fever this year with southern-style food and drinks for partygoers. Among the small bites are buttermilk biscuits with shaved ham and orange marmalade, and buttermilk pie tartlets with peach or bourbon filling. Entertainment includes live music and a hermit crab race, which humorously contrasts with the high-speed Kentucky Derby, expected to start around 4:45 Mountain Time.
Cinco de Mayo Celebrations, May 4-5
There are more than 30 taco restaurants in Boulder County, and from simply walking around the shopping centers, I’ve seen posters and flyers in nearly every place announcing at least one special for Cinco de Mayo, including discounted tacos and margaritas. Support your favorite local taco stand or go high-end — Masas & Agaves is offering a four-course dinner paired with wine, mezcal and tequila on Sunday, May 5 from 4 to 10 p.m at $100 per person, for those craving an authentic Oaxacan experience.
The full Mexican cultural package is in Longmont this year at the 21st Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration in Roosevelt Park, Saturday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is a family-friendly event (no alcohol) with food, music, a breakdancing contest and car show.
Avanti Food & Beverage, Pearl Street’s multi-restaurant food market, is making a weekend of it from Friday through Sunday with combined Derby and Cinco de Mayo parties and specials.
Mental Health Awareness Month
Throughout the entire month of May, the four Big Red F restaurants are sending proceeds from special mocktails and cocktails to Envision:You, an initiative of Mental Health Colorado dedicated to improving the support and outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals.
The fundraiser drink menu:
- Centro Mexican Kitchen: Mango-Tajín lemonade (zero-proof) and Desert Flower cocktail.
- West End Tavern: Hibiscus Cooler (zero-proof) and the Mountain Manhattan.
- Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar: A Martini (all locations); zero-proof options include the Lavender Lemonade (Boulder), Nope-Aloma (Glendale), Cucumber-mint Spritz (LoDo, Colorado Springs and Fort Collins).
- The Post Chicken & Beer: Nice Bunny cocktail (zero-proof) and their new release, Sunny Lady beer, a 5.5% ABV ale brewed with Azacca hops, Pekoe Sip House’s Sunny Green Tea (which has dried pineapple and papaya), lemon puree and local Colorado wildflower honey.
Make Your Mother’s Day Delicious
You have fewer than two weeks to make reservations for Sunday, May 12, so if your mom has a favorite restaurant or she wants to try something new, this is your public service announcement to make plans now. Pro tip: Check the restaurant’s social media posts. That’s where you’ll see the most current specials, announcements and offers. The websites are not updated as often with specials, but it is the place to make reservations.
It’s incredibly sad to see 1914 House close. Niwot in particular seems to be a tough spot for restaurants, it seems like they have additional burdens from the County without the benefit of ‘protection’ from a city with a proper Chamber of Commerce.
Dairy Queen on 28th is permanently closed. 🙁
Agree. Choosing a higher minimum wage rate for Boulder County is only going to hurt businesses and in the long run, employees. It’s not sustainable. Glad Farrow is making this change. We just want a nice place to eat without a “fancy” dinner price tag. We have been avoiding those places.