It’s about time that somebody recognizes the food culture that Boulder has to offer. Boulder has already produced a Top Chef winner (Hosea from Jax), and is the residence to some of the best restaurants in the state, but I don’t think that Boulder is very well known for its food culture and I think that it’s something that needs to be experienced to be believed.
I’ve watched my fair share of Man v. Food episodes with Adam Richman going around the country trying to find America’s best eats. Season 1 saw Adam traveling to larger cities around the country to challenge the cities biggest food challenges like the 11 lb. pizza in Atlanta, the 12 lb hamburger challenge in Boston, 180 oysters in New Orleans, and the biggest burrito challenge in Denver. While I love to watch the show because I simply love to eat, I found myself asking why Man v. Food hasn’t come to Boulder to try its challenges. We have plenty of delectable foods to offer as well as some tough food challenges. In my opinion, Boulder is a top candidate for Man v. Food.
With season 2 now underway, Adam and the Travel Channel finally brought their appetites to Boulder. Though they filmed this sometime in January when Boulder is half slushy, half snowy and very gloomy, making Boulder look like a pretty undesirable place, they at least managed to show the world how amazingly good our food is. Their selection in restaurants to visit was very representative of our town, hitting The Buff, Beau Jo’s, and The West End Tavern, all of which offer their own signature meals. I was sad to find out that Adam didn’t dare to challenge the Grand Sicilian pizza at Beau Jo’s, but considering the challenge normally involves two people and the fact that it’s a 14 lb pizza filled with three kinds of meat, a myriad of veggies, and a ton of cheese, I’m O.K. with him passing on the challenge. At least I got to see him fail miserably at West End's Wing King Challenge eating only 36 out of 50 wings in 30 minutes. I think I enjoy watching him fail at challenges more than succeed at them.
But the key component to this episode of Man vs. Food was the visit to The Buff which is THE BEST place in Boulder to get breakfast. The only thing that his visit was really missing was the $1 bloody mary’s and mimosas.
Watching this episode made me realize how privileged I am to have so much good food in walking distance of my house. I can walk 5 blocks down to The Buff to get some bacon saddle bags and a $1 bloody, walk 13 blocks to West End for some wings, and a short bike ride to Beau Jo’s for some one of a kind pizza. Let’s just say I’m not looking forward to having to go out of my way to grab some top notch grub.
AH! I was at The Buff last weekend and they told me to watch this episode! I'm bummed they missed it. Sadly, you would think they would have journeyed to some all organic place to showcase that?? Why West End?? Maybe I am just biased... But I wish I would have caught that episode! Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteI had just heard that this show was airing the episode featuring Boulder so I was interested to read what you wrote. I have seen this show a few times and its pretty entertaining, albeit disgusting at the same time. I thought your point on how you enjoy watching him fail rather than succeed was really on point, and I would have to agree. Also, you couldnt have said it better, telling about how a visit to The Buff isnt authentic at all, without the $1 mimosas - brings back memories ha.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your blog as it is something I can really relate to - having been to all of the places you wrote about and agreeing with what great food Boulder has to offer.