Stop for lunch on way to airport?
Jul 23rd, 2013, 12:43 PM
#1
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Stop for lunch on way to airport?
Hello everyone, can anyone recommend a nice/decent/scenic place to stop for lunch on our way to the airport ? We'll be leaving Grand Lake via US40 then I70. We need to be at the airport by 2/3 pm. Plan on leaving around 10am? We are a group of 10. Any recommendations for our last supper in Colorado?
Jul 23rd, 2013, 01:11 PM
#2
These are your choices in Fraser: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran..._Colorado.html
If you are rushed for time there is always a stop at Subway.
If you are rushed for time there is always a stop at Subway.
Jul 23rd, 2013, 02:12 PM
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What time is your flight exactly? Do you need to return a car(s). Do not arrive at DIA with less than 2 hours to check in and go through security. Be IN the airport 2 hours before your flight.
there are food courts in the terminal. If you use one, go through security first and then use one on your concourse.
there are food courts in the terminal. If you use one, go through security first and then use one on your concourse.
Jul 23rd, 2013, 02:54 PM
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Georgetown is not on their way.
We do that drive all the time.
Our new favorite is the "original" Hard Rock Cafe, in Empire, at the bottom of Berthoud Pass after you go over it. It is all homemade food, even most condiments, their special potato chips. Really charming tiny wood-panelled place. The deck on the back has a pleasant view. Extremely friendly and helpful service there. The cook is proud of his work, and it shows.
I'd say that's about 1.5 hrs from Grand Lake, depending on day of the week and your luck. So about halfway to the airport from Grand Lake.
If you want to stop earlier, or later in your drive, I can make recommendations, too.
Since I-70 east can be challenging, you might want to get to the western edge of Denver before stopping to eat. Just to make sure you have plenty of time to get to the airport.
There are some good restaurants very close to the airport, also, like Ted Turner's Montana Grill. Plenty of others at Northfield or Stapleton, right off I-70. Chains and local places, too.
We do that drive all the time.
Our new favorite is the "original" Hard Rock Cafe, in Empire, at the bottom of Berthoud Pass after you go over it. It is all homemade food, even most condiments, their special potato chips. Really charming tiny wood-panelled place. The deck on the back has a pleasant view. Extremely friendly and helpful service there. The cook is proud of his work, and it shows.
I'd say that's about 1.5 hrs from Grand Lake, depending on day of the week and your luck. So about halfway to the airport from Grand Lake.
If you want to stop earlier, or later in your drive, I can make recommendations, too.
Since I-70 east can be challenging, you might want to get to the western edge of Denver before stopping to eat. Just to make sure you have plenty of time to get to the airport.
There are some good restaurants very close to the airport, also, like Ted Turner's Montana Grill. Plenty of others at Northfield or Stapleton, right off I-70. Chains and local places, too.
Jul 23rd, 2013, 03:26 PM
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Our flight is at 4:05. I'm giving us 2 hours for lunch 2 hours for the drive. Leaving Grand Lake not a minute later then 11:00 even sooner if I can rally the troops. Am I cutting it too close ?
Will check out all recommendations. Would love an off the beaten path local hangout with great food. (Great being used litely, we're not foodies) thanks for all suggestions. Btw, we fly back on a Tuesday, should we expect rush hour traffic anywhere ?
Will check out all recommendations. Would love an off the beaten path local hangout with great food. (Great being used litely, we're not foodies) thanks for all suggestions. Btw, we fly back on a Tuesday, should we expect rush hour traffic anywhere ?
Jul 23rd, 2013, 04:23 PM
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Yes, I think you'd be cutting it too close, to leave at 11am.
You have 10 people, so 10 times the possibility of a problem on the road. Haha.
4 hours in transit with lunch is a realistic guess. I would leave no later than 10am.
The Hard Rock I recommended is definitely not a tourist spot. I'd venture to call it "off the beaten path", because very few people stop in Empire.
Where do you want to stop to eat?
There are many choices, including Idaho Springs, and Evergreen has an awesome log cabin style restaurant, a steak house on Simms in Lakewood, etc, etc.
You have 10 people, so 10 times the possibility of a problem on the road. Haha.
4 hours in transit with lunch is a realistic guess. I would leave no later than 10am.
The Hard Rock I recommended is definitely not a tourist spot. I'd venture to call it "off the beaten path", because very few people stop in Empire.
Where do you want to stop to eat?
There are many choices, including Idaho Springs, and Evergreen has an awesome log cabin style restaurant, a steak house on Simms in Lakewood, etc, etc.
Jul 23rd, 2013, 05:19 PM
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You need to leave at 9. I am not kidding about the maze at DIA. There are 'way too many variables with 10 people. Make them realize the need.
Lunch can be gotten a LOT of places AFTER you are on the road. Have a couple of alternatives, and it is going to be on the go.
How else can I say to you--Everyone be IN the terminal 2 hours before departure.
Lunch can be gotten a LOT of places AFTER you are on the road. Have a couple of alternatives, and it is going to be on the go.
How else can I say to you--Everyone be IN the terminal 2 hours before departure.
Jul 24th, 2013, 07:15 AM
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Good thing they are traveling mid-day on a Tuesday.
Should be the best possible situation for driving I-70 and navigating the airport.
10 is a lot of people to manage.
All will be well if you allow plenty of time.
Should be the best possible situation for driving I-70 and navigating the airport.
10 is a lot of people to manage.
All will be well if you allow plenty of time.
Jul 25th, 2013, 05:26 AM
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Thanks everyone. Tabernash, checked out The original hard rock, this would work for us but now that its been suggested I leave Grand Lake by 10:00 am, by the time we get to Empire it might still be a little too early for lunch. So now I'm thinking I'll just drive a not further and get something around Northfield or Stapleton also suggested by you. So if you have any suggestions in either of those areas or something east of Idaho springs? Let me know. Thanks again. And I'll make sure we're on the road by 10.
Aug 1st, 2013, 03:59 PM
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http://www.northfieldstapleton.com/d...ing/2138210342
This is the list of restaurants in Northfield, which is just north of I-70.
DS and I have eaten at La Sandia a few times, and liked it. Ling and Louie's is good, too. The Brazilian steak place I heard is good, but it might be too much food before a flight. There are also some chains there, like Red Lobster.
Stapleton is south of I-70. There used to be an Udi's there which was good, but I don't know if it's still there. On Quebec is a Panera Bread, right at Stapleton, which is a chain with good salads and sandwiches.
This is the list of restaurants in Northfield, which is just north of I-70.
DS and I have eaten at La Sandia a few times, and liked it. Ling and Louie's is good, too. The Brazilian steak place I heard is good, but it might be too much food before a flight. There are also some chains there, like Red Lobster.
Stapleton is south of I-70. There used to be an Udi's there which was good, but I don't know if it's still there. On Quebec is a Panera Bread, right at Stapleton, which is a chain with good salads and sandwiches.
Aug 4th, 2013, 08:54 AM
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I lived in evergreen for 13 years... And would consider little of the dining awesome ( and certainly not the log cabin, if that is el rancho).
Idaho springs has some ok places... Of course you could stop near golden... Maybe the Mexican place on old us 40 (very close to I70) called Señor sol.
Idaho springs has some ok places... Of course you could stop near golden... Maybe the Mexican place on old us 40 (very close to I70) called Señor sol.
Aug 4th, 2013, 09:59 AM
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Old I 40 is 2 minutes from I 70.... In denver west. That is where I would personally stop.
El rancho has changed hands several times thru the years. Honestly, I no longer know who owns it. Possibly they have turned it around of late.... It has not been good the few times I have gone there (few evergreen people I know would eat there).
El rancho has changed hands several times thru the years. Honestly, I no longer know who owns it. Possibly they have turned it around of late.... It has not been good the few times I have gone there (few evergreen people I know would eat there).
Aug 4th, 2013, 10:15 AM
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If you are leaving at 10, why not just eat at the airport and be in place. Are you returning a rental car, unloading luggage from van, getting into terminal to check in, go through the TSA maze, board a train to get to your gate?
