⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dan and I were tourists in our hometown as we explored the Colorado Springs food scene with Roger of Rocky Mountain Food Tours. We started at Antlers Hotel, and learned it was built by the founder of Colorado Springs, and burned down twice before it became the well-appointed western hotel that it is today.

The first stop on our walking tour was Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub. Martin, the bartender, explained that the building was established in 1883. Then we tried Shepard’s pie with grass-fed corned beef, Irish soda bread, and Breckinridge Brewery stout. (Both Dan and I picked this as our favorite dish of the day.)

Bingo Burger served their Bessemer Burger with local beef, bacon, cranberry BBQ sauce, and Pueblo chilis. Local craft beer included OctoberFest and Dopplebock, a really dark beer.

We had delicious candy apple lemonade and then jalapeño poppers at Four, the restaurant of Top Chef’s Brother Luck. Outdoor musicians played on Pikes Peak Avenue and the sun dipped closer to the mountains as we neared our last stop. Josh & John’s served their Purple Mountain Majesty ice cream made with taro and black raspberry truffles.

Although it was hard to connect with masks on, the tour was fun, and we had a friendly group of people. It was a luscious way to get to know our new town and a delightful coronavirus escape.