Shuga's — Restaurant in Colorado Springs

We had a reservation for 8 people at 5:30 PM on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. 4 of the 8 people got there around 5:15 and got a drink at the bar. Our table was available right around 5:30, so we went to the table. The rest of the party (4 other people) arrived, so our party of 8 was sat at 5:30, the time of our reservation. That is the ONLY thing that went well tonight. Server took a long time to ask the table what drinks we would like. He made us wait to order our food until after we got our drinks and appetizers. We thought that he would come back with our drinks right away to get our order. We were wrong. Drinks took over 30 minutes, and appetizers took about 5 minutes longer. Then, they finally took our entree order. One person at our table wanted to order an item that was on happy hour special, but happy hour had ended by the time the server finally came to take our order, so he said it would be regular price, not happy hour price. Absolutely ridiculous as it was the server that didn’t take the order in time when we were ready to order before he ever came to our table (Happy hour ends at 6:07. We were seated at 5:30, plenty of time before happy hour ended. We were ready to order by 5:50, but he didn’t come to take our food order until 6:20). The second round of drinks was ordered with the food as well, so food and 2nd round of drinks was ordered at 6:20. Food took almost an hour, and was served around 7:15. It arrived room temp, not warm. They gave me mac n cheese instead of the shrimp soup. I told him that as soon as they gave us our food, and he said he would have it brought right out. We started eating, and finished by 7:45. We still had not received our 2nd round of drinks, and we had asked multiple times when we would get them. The drinks didn’t come until close to 8:15, and we asked to have them to go. He brought the to go cups around 8:25. He brought the checks with the cups, and we reminded him about the missing soup. He had also messed up our bill, even though we had clarified the exact thing he messed up before he brought the bill. The rest of the table paid their check and we waited to get our new bill. We got the new bill around 8:45, and he said it would take 15 more minutes to get the soup. We told him to cancel it. Then, he went to run my check. I went in to make sure he did it correctly. They had lost our check by the time we went in. They said they would comp the bill for us, and we still left a tip. However, I was still charged, but for a different table’s bill. I will be calling to have that refunded. Food was ok, but cold. Service was ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE. We left the restaurant around 9:00 PM. 3.5 HOURS AFTER THE PARTY WAS SEATED! Several smaller tables around us left during the course of our meal (we were a party of 8, but there were multiple tables of 4 or 5 people around us that had been seated after us and ate and left before we had received our food). If you have made it this far, congratulations! If you’re still wondering if you should come here, the answer is NO!!! No manager was there tonight. A manager or supervisor would not have solved the issues, but could have maybe helped in some way. Longest overall time I have been waiting in a restaurant EVER! Would...

I've been rolling with Shuga's for over ten years, and let me tell you, this spot just keeps leveling up. It’s that place where every visit feels like a reunion with your favorite flavors and your favorite folks. If you know, you know.

Kick things off right with the Mediterranean hummus and tapenade—this duo is the perfect prelude to a night of good eats and great vibes. That hummus? Smooth like butter, with the tapenade adding a little pop of salty tang. It’s the kind of dish that makes you glad you came hungry.

Now, let’s talk cocktails. Shuga's got a lineup that’ll make you rethink your go-to. Me? I’m about that hot toddy life all year round. There’s something about that ginger tea mixed with whiskey that just hits different—comforting, yet bold. It’s like a warm hug from your coolest friend.

And don’t even get me started on the spicy Brazilian soup. This bowl is pure magic—a blend of coconut, spice, and everything nice. It's a flavor bomb that’ll have you chasing that heat with every spoonful, warming you up from the inside out. It’s a vibe all on its own.

When I’m craving something more substantial, the Cuban sandwich is where it’s at. That in-house roasted pork is succulent, layered with pickles and mustard that just cuts through with the right amount of sharpness. Add a side of that jalapeño mac & cheese, and you've got yourself a plate of pure perfection—creamy, spicy, and oh-so-satisfying.

And, of course, you gotta save room for the almond cake. This ain’t your average dessert—it’s got that strong almond flavor that lingers just right, topped with a dollop of homemade whipped cream that’s light as a feather. It’s like your grandma’s secret recipe but with a little more flair.

But let’s not forget to shout out my girl Shells—she’s the real MVP behind that bar. This woman keeps the drinks flowing and the good times rolling. There’s just something about Shells; she’s the sugar in Shuga's, the heartbeat of this joint. Always smiling, always keeping the energy right, she’s got folks coming back for more than just the food. Shells has that vibe that makes you feel at home, and that’s rare.

So, if you’re in Colorado Springs and haven’t hit up Shuga’s yet, you’re missing out. This place is a classic for a reason—great food, killer drinks, and a vibe that’s unmatched. Shuga’s isn’t just a restaurant; it’s...

I visited Shuga’s for brunch this weekend, and while there were some positives, the overall experience was disappointing and frustrating.

Pros (Food Quality, Parking): The quality of the food was commendable. The meats, cheeses, and sauces were all well-prepared. Despite its downtown location, the restaurant offers a convenient parking, which was a pleasant surprise.

Cons (Service, Comfort, Price-to-Quality Ratio): When a dish includes a fried egg, it's reasonable to expect the server to ask how you’d like it cooked. Unfortunately, we weren’t asked, and the egg arrived excessively runny, spreading across the plate. Additionally, placing apples next to greasy bacon and a runny egg resulted in the bacon grease soaking into the fruit before I could even start my meal. While I appreciate the "artsy" presentation, it would be better to serve fruit separately. The service was especially disappointing. The waiter was inattentive and lacked professionalism. For meals, partially meant to be eaten by hand, we were given only one napkin each, and the waiter never checked if we needed anything else. I don’t mean this as an insult, but the waiter’s hands were shaking so much while carrying our coffee that the napkin under the mug got soaked, along with the sides of the mug. A tray or carrying one mug at a time might be a good idea. The music, both inside and in the yurt, was very very loud, making conversation difficult. The waiter had to ask us to repeat our order twice. Why have the music so loud, especially during brunch? The seating arrangement was cramped. My chair was practically touching the back of the person sitting at the table behind me. The outdoor area is decorated with flowers which attracted a lot of wasps. Don’t think anybody would like to be surrounded with bugs while eating. The small tables may contribute to the "artsy" vibe, but they don't accommodate the oversized trays used for serving. My stone tray was so large, the waiter couldn’t fit it onto the table so it ended up hanging off the edge. Finally, for a meal that cost $50 for two people, I expected a higher level of service and comfort. At this price point, the issues we encountered are...