Empanada Express Grill Review

By Madelynn Loring, Staff Writer

Ground beef and potato empanada with Tequenos (Venezuelan cheese sticks).

Photo by Madelynn Loring

I discovered Empanada Express Grill in the same way I have discovered a number of restaurants: I was planning on going somewhere else (Himalayan Spice to be exact), but something came up. In this case, the Himalayan Spice kitchen was closed for maintenance. So, I turned to my best in a decision-making crisis, Google Maps, and just five minutes north was a quaint-looking Venezuelan restaurant. We decided to give it a shot, and, as is often the case on Tennyson Street, Empanada Express Grill did not disappoint.

In my experience, you can tell how good the food at any restaurant will be by the decor, and the traditional clothing and artwork lining the walls prepares you for exactly how delicious the food will be. The plates are huge, and loaded with beans, rice, and a Venezuelan entree of your choice. Regardless of whether you go for an arepa or an empanada, you will not be disappointed. The filling is beautifully seasoned, and the dish is cooked to perfection. 

Shredded beef arepa with beans and rice

Photo by Madelynn Loring

Additionally, they have a large vegetarian selection, so most anyone will be able to find an absolutely remarkable meal that fits their dietary needs. The only exception to this is if you are a lactose intolerant person who actually respects their lactose intolerance. Each dish is filled or topped with cheese, which is delightful if you are a dairy lover like myself. However, if a spoonful of ice cream sends your stomach into fits, you might want to skip out on this grill in favor of something less dairy heavy. But who am I to tell you what to avoid? For a more relevant opinion, I consulted my lactose intolerant friend who says that Empanada Express Grill is worth the stomachache. 

Chicken empanada with beans and rice

Photo by Madelynn Loring

Should you choose to embark on an empanada expedition, here are some tips to make your Express Grill experience go smoothly. As it is “where the locals eat'', the staff primarily speaks Spanish. Thus, it is a good idea to brush up on your restaurant vocab before you go, or go with a Spanish-speaking friend, as I did (though neither of us knew she was going to be translating for us). Secondly, the cost of a good empanada is often oil stains, something I learned the hard way through the marring of my favorite cream-colored sweatshirt. Dark clothes are likely the better choice for your meal. Finally, the restaurant prefers you pay in cash, so it is worth stopping by an ATM on your way to avoid the hassle, especially if you do not have a card that you can tap to pay. 

Overall, my experience at Empanada Express Grill left nothing to be desired, except for perhaps that Regis’s global section could compare to this absolutely delightful restaurant. Though it may be unassuming at first glance, Empanada Express Grill is sure to impress regardless of whether you planned to end up there or not.  

Himalayan Spice Review

By: Madelynn Loring, Staff Writer

The fact that I ended up in Himalayan Spice Indian Cuisine was a total accident. My sister had just helped me move in for the spring, so we headed down Tennyson Street for brunch at the Denver Biscuit Company. It's a delicious restaurant, but given its promotion on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, everyone knows that. Thus, we chose to dodge the hour-long wait and give the little restaurant two doors over a shot. And I am glad we did. While Denver Biscuit Company may be popular, Himalayan Spice is a hidden gem.

The environment is warm and welcoming, with attentive wait staff and quick service. And the food? I will not go into a discussion about Regis’s cafeteria (that is a dissertation for another time), but I am often left feeling the need for authentically good, well-rounded cooking, and I know that I am not alone in that. The good news is that the solution is just a five-minute drive down Tennyson Street. The menu is packed with different traditional Indian dishes, all bursting with warmth and flavor. The restaurant also boasts a large vegetarian/vegan menu with gluten free options, so it is the perfect destination for groups with a variety of dietary needs. Additionally, they have spice levels indicated on the menu so you don’t find yourself with an under-spiced or inedibly spicy dish given your tastes. They operate on a 1 to 5 spice level: 1 being mild, 2 being medium, 3 being medium-hot, 4 being hot, and 5 being Indian hot. I, as a slightly-but-not-terribly pathetic white person, prefer medium hot for my curry, whereas Vietnamese Staff Writer Sandra Vo prefers hot. 

Regardless of where you’re at, there is a delicious, well-priced option for you at Himalayan Spice. You can choose from a variety of proteins, from lamb to chicken to seafood, to be prepared in many ways, from curry to dahl and sagg to masala. Regardless of what you prefer, there are also a plethora of delicious flavors of naan, a traditional Indian flat bread, to choose from, and you will receive bottomless basmati rice with your meal. The one thing to keep in mind during your visit is that you will spend just as long waiting for the check as you will enjoying your meal. Chances are you could reduce this wait time by flagging down the waiter if you so choose, or (if you are non-confrontational like myself) the time can be well spent digesting your meal over conversations with friends and family. If you are looking to try something new or simply spice up your college diet, Himalayan Spice is the place to go.

Photo by: Sandra Vo, Butter Naan

Photo by: Sandra Vo, Chicken Curry

Thái Bảo Vietnamese Review

By: Madelynn Loring, staff writer

Upon entering Thái Bảo Vietnamese, the ambiance prepares you for one of the best meals of your life. Paris by Night, a long-running Vietnamese musical production, plays on a box television underneath small mirror displays covered in flowers. Young children and college students alike stare in awe at the aquarium display beneath the register. The staff offer a warm welcome and are truly passionate about their work. 

But the heart and soul of any restaurant is the food, and Thái Bảo Vietnamese never fails. Offering everything from cultural staples to specials piled with various decadent meats and vegetables, Thái Bảo Vietnamese packs a flavourful, authentic punch in every bite. If you’re looking for a first taste of Vietnamese culture, go for the phở. Phở (pronounced fuh, as in pho-ck you) is a traditional noodle soup dish. Blending spices and herbs, phở broth is a delicious blend of sour and savory, and can be accompanied by red meats and vegetables alongside classic rice noodles. Additionally, phở from Thái Bảo Vietnamese are accompanied by a platter of possible add-ons. A squeeze of lime, a sprinkle of cilantro, and a few bean sprouts can add even greater depth to this delicious meal.

This is the place to eat where the locals do. Sandra Vo, fellow staff writer at the Highlander says that the authentic flavors and offerings reminds her of home and how much she’d “taken [her] mother’s cooking for granted” after moving away from home. But, located just east of the Regis Bookstore, Thái Bảo offers a journey into Vietnamese cuisine for those longing for a taste of home and for those just discovering it. The dozens of menu options mean that there is something for everyone at this restaurant, including vegetarians. From phở to rice bowls, stir fry to lo mien, and even Vietnamese hot pot, the possibilities are all but endless. With this culinary magic just a ten minute walk from campus, heading to Thái Bảo Vietnamese is a no-brainer.

photos by: Madelynn Loring