Boulder Reporting Lab’s latest food roundup covers everything from restaurant closings to exciting new openings and seasonal changes across Boulder. This month, we say goodbye to Ruthie’s on Pearl, Dedalus Wine shop and Black Pepper Pho, while Pie Dog Pizza returns as a ghost kitchen. There’s also news of upcoming Oktoberfest celebrations and new fall menus at local spots. Have news about your favorite restaurant or upcoming events? Send your tips and food news to food@boulderreportinglab.org.
What’s closed and changed
Ruthie’s on Pearl to close after six years: Ruthie’s Boardwalk Social, the fries and grilled cheese kiosk on Pearl Street Mall near 12th Street, announced it will close at the end of September. Opened six years ago by Peter Waters, owner of T/aco, the kiosk brought his grandmother’s New Jersey-inspired grilled cheese and twice-cooked fries, seasoned like East Coast boardwalk fries, to Boulder. “It has been an honor to get to know every last one of you,” the goodbye post read. “We look forward to seeing you all over the next couple weeks and serving you one last grilled cheese and fries.” It cited “rising costs across the board, decreased foot traffic on Pearl Street and very few people back in their office since Covid” for the closure.
Dedalus wine shop closed, Boxcar considering space: Dedalus Wine at 1825 Pearl Street, in the same space as Boxcar Coffee, abruptly closed in the first week of August. Both the local shop and its parent company, based in Burlington, Vermont, have been silent on the closure. According to Seven Days, a Vermont publication, Dedalus also cut staff in Vermont and closed a sister restaurant.
Dedalus took over from the popular Cured sandwich and fine cheese shop, known for its busy sandwich counter and gourmet picnic baskets, which were favorites among locals and visitors alike. After a transitional phase introducing the Dedalus brand and wines, Cured owner Will Frickshorn left the partnership, and Dedalus assumed control of the business, including its established marketing and social media accounts, with thousands of Facebook and Instagram followers. Boulder Reporting Lab spoke with management at Boxcar, which continues to thrive in the location. They revealed that plans are in the works for the food and retail space, though details have not yet been announced.
Gluten-free Pho restaurant closes: Black Pepper Pho at 2770 Pearl Street closed in the first week of August, leaving only a paper sign on the door after 20 years in business. A favorite among the gluten-free crowd, the restaurant was also known for its vegetarian broth. Despite the closure, the website remains up, its Google listing is still active, and furniture and accessories remain inside the building. A post about the closure on the Boulder Collective Facebook page garnered 100 comments, with many expressing love for the restaurant and sharing alternative recommendations. Calls and requests for comment were not returned.
Ghost kitchen revival for Pie Dog Pizza: Pie Dog Pizza, a venture from Niwot’s Farow restaurant owners, closed its Parkway Food Hall location in Longmont as of Sept. 8. The pizzeria will again operate as a ghost kitchen out of the Farow location, offering takeout only. Orders can be placed through DoorDash and Uber Eats for delivery, or online and by phone for pickup. Ghost kitchens are restaurants with no dining space that focus exclusively on delivery orders. Since the pizza oven is adjacent to Farow’s bar, pickup is also an option.
Farow has also changed its hours, as of Sept. 8. The fine dining restaurant, which extended its hours to include lunch in July, is now only open from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
New on the food scene
Sanitas Brewing teams up with Kenny Lou’s Deli: Most breweries don’t have kitchens, so they bring in food trucks or allow deliveries. Now, two Lafayette businesses have teamed up for a new menu offering. Sanitas Brewing is featuring the menu from Kenny Lou’s Deli, located at Button Rock Bakery, at its new brewery location in The District shopping center at 400 W. South Boulder Road in Lafayette. The menu includes chicken wings, homemade soft pretzels and a dessert flight. All orders are made fresh and delivered to customers’ tables at Sanitas.
Pop-up garden market at Vision Quest: Boulder’s food and beverage scene is full of surprises, like the partnership between Tsukuku Gardens and Vision Quest Brewery, located at 2510 47th Street in the warehouse district off Foothills Parkway. Tsukuku Gardens hosts a pop-up market a couple of times a month in season, with the next one on Sept. 28, from 12 to 5 p.m. This small-lot food grower offers fresh microgreens, vegetables and flowers at a fraction of large market prices. Insider tip: Vision Quest also makes its own kombucha and root beer, along with craft brews.
New coffee program supporting community good: Café at the J: Powered by Bridge House is a new coffee kiosk at the Boulder JCC, located at 6007 Oreg Ave., open Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. According to a report in The Daily Camera, the café is a collaboration between the JCC and Boulder Bridge House, a nonprofit that offers programs and services for people experiencing homelessness. It is staffed by a graduate of Bridge House’s Ready to Work program, which helps connect homeless individuals with job opportunities.
Boulder Baked opens second location in downtown Superior: After nearly three years at 5290 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder Baked has opened a second location at 2345 Main Street, Unit 2, in downtown Superior, across from the Sport Stable. Offering the same in-house, made-from-scratch menu, Boulder Baked continues its tradition of serving delicious, affordable food for families, co-owner Seth Portner said. Cookies, cakes, and cupcakes remain the focus, with soups and sandwiches available seven days a week. Learn more and order ahead.
Updated and seasonal offerings
Sip, walk and shop in Longmont: Downtown Longmont is hosting its second-annual wine walk on Thursday, Sept. 26. Coordinated with Kuper Wine Bar, the event features 18 local shops offering tastings as attendees stroll downtown. Tickets are $25 in advance ($30 on the day), with a special glass and map included.
Renovated seating and the return of a Philly favorite: West End Tavern has made some changes for the fall season. Inside, they’ve removed booths to create more bar seating, added umbrellas to the outdoor seating area and updated the interior lighting.
On the menu, a pandemic favorite is back: the Philly cheesesteak, featuring sliced smoked prime rib, peppers, onions and provolone cheese on a buttered Amoroso roll. Customers can also upgrade their burgers to regeneratively raised premium beef or try the new “Lunchbox” deal — a burger, fries and a beer for $15.
Pollinator Program at Jill’s Restaurant: Jill’s Restaurant at the St. Julien Hotel & Spa is bringing hive-to-table dining to life. Their on-site garden is home to two bee colonies, each housing between 20,000 and 60,000 bees, which produce up to 200 pounds of honey a year.
Head beekeeper Chris Borke, who also works with CU’s BioFrontiers Institute, visits the colonies every two weeks to inspect the hives and ensure the bees’ health. He manages the honey extraction conservatively, leaving enough for the bees’ winter stores. The honey is used in dishes and cocktails at Jill’s Restaurant and T-Zero Cocktail Bar, while the bees also help pollinate the restaurant’s vegetable and herb garden.
Oktoberfest starts in September: St. Julien is hosting Oktoberfest on Sept. 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. The German-themed buffet will feature Schweinebraten (roast pork), Wurstl (Bavarian sausages and sauerkraut), Brezen (pretzels), schnitzel, black forest cake and more. There will be prizes for best dressed and steinholding competitions, while kids can stay busy with yard games.
Bohemian Biergarten, an authentic German restaurant on 13th Street in downtown Boulder, will hold its Oktoberfest on Oct. 5. A detailed program and ticket announcement is expected by early September. Go for the food and German beer, stay for the music and party.
Michelin-rated restaurant hosts dinner and drink pairing: Blackbelly, known for sourcing from local farms, is offering a special dinner in November featuring meats from head butcher Kelly Kawachi. Details on Thirsty Thursday cocktail pairings and three-course dinners are available on their website. The Michelin Guide Colorado last year quoted owner Hosea Rosenberg’s philosophy of “full utilization of every ingredient and animal.” The restaurant also grows many of its herbs and flowers on-site for use in its dishes.
Catch the Latest! Recently we wrote about:
- Under the Sun closes after 11 years in South Boulder due to rising costs and staff shortages.
- Boulder’s apple season and why buying local matters for Colorado growers.
- Farow’s transformation in Niwot as it adapts to inflation and market changes.
- Cozobi Fonda Fina: Boulder’s new Mexican eatery from Chef Johnny Curiel.
- Niwot Market co-owners continue family traditions after the passing of their father, Bert Steele.
- Garage Sale Vintage blends retail with tequila and tacos on Boulder’s Pearl Street.
Another new restaurant is opening: Ironwood Bar &Grill. Located on the Flatirons Golf Course, City Council and Parks and Recreation members celebrated the opening last Friday with a ribbon cutting ceremony. I’m surprised it was not covered by any Boulder newspaper.
Brus, Great to know Ironwood is open! Hopefully Boulder reporting lab Will cover it in their next email update.
Recently opened: “Holy Crèpes” at the SE corner of Arapahoe and Broadway. Owners/crèpe-makers are French and happily speak French with customers. They offer gluten-free crèpes and loads of others. Prices are NOT low, but crèpes are delicious. 🙂