Lariat Lodge Brewing Company — Restaurant in Colorado

Walking into The Lariat, I was immediately struck by its rustic charm and the inviting warmth that filled the space. The restaurant boasts an ambiance that's both elegant and relaxed, making it the perfect setting for anything from a casual lunch to a special dinner.

The menu at The Lariat is a testament to their commitment to innovation within the culinary world, with a variety of dishes that cater to all tastes. However, the highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the Barria French Dip, a dish that cleverly combines the traditional elements of a French dip sandwich with the rich, complex flavors of Mexican barbacoa.

The Barria French Dip at The Lariat is nothing short of a culinary masterpiece. The sandwich features tender, slow-cooked beef that's been marinated in a blend of spices that pay homage to the traditional Mexican barbacoa. The meat is juicy, flavorful, and melts in your mouth, sandwiched between a lightly toasted, buttery baguette that perfectly complements the meat's robust flavors.

What sets this French dip apart is the au jus - a rich, spicy consommé that draws from the barbacoa seasoning, offering a deep, savory dip that elevates the sandwich to new heights. It's served alongside a generous portion of the sandwich, allowing for each bite to be decadently dipped, marrying the flavors in a symphony of taste.

Not to be overlooked, The Lariat's bar offers an impressive selection of drinks that pair beautifully with the Barria French Dip. From their craft beers to the signature cocktails, each beverage is curated to enhance the dining experience. I opted for a smoky mezcal cocktail, which paired wonderfully with the spicy, savory notes of the barbacoa.

The service at The Lariat deserves its own praise. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with genuine smiles and an attentive staff that was more than willing to offer recommendations. Their passion for the food and drinks served here was evident, adding a personal touch to the meal that was truly appreciated.

In conclusion, The Lariat's Barria French Dip is a must-try for anyone looking for an innovative take on a classic dish. The combination of traditional French and Mexican cuisines, along with the restaurant's cozy ambiance and excellent service, makes for an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you're a local or just passing through, a visit to The Lariat is sure to leave you impressed...

Unfortunately, our last visit to Lariat has left me with a bad taste. The new menu (they shake things up about every 6 months) was missing so many favorites. Happily, the Bottle Rockets (Jalapeno, Bacon, Cream Cheese, Scallion, Root Beer BBQ sauce) in a crispy wonton wrap are still available and delicious. Missing for me was the brussel sprouts salad with the warm bacon vinegarette dressing and dried cherries. 😔 But, I'm always happy to try something new.

I ordered the Southwest Chicken salad, and what a disappointment. First off, what a pedestrian addition, I mean, almost every restaurant has a humdrum version, grilled chicken, cheese, tortilla strips, tomato, corn, you know the drill. This one sounded interesting, boasting pickled Fresno and crispy jalapeños. I can't verify the crispy jalapeños. If they were on the salad, they were lost in all the other crunchy stuff. The Fresno peppers were another story. They were NOT pickled - they were raw with the seeds and ribs in most of the rings- and just one bite had tears streaming down both mine and my husband's face. Listen, we both LOVE hot and spicy food. We order "spicy #7" at our favorite Thai spots and love ghost pepper wings. We love Chef Katie's green chili at Lariat, a nicely spiced version of the Colorado favorite, but this salad was inedible.

The server seemed embarrassed about the menu and mentioned there had been a lot of complaints. Although they offered to bring me something else (I never send food back), I had lost my appetite for the Lariat Lodge. The service was very slow. We almost finished an entire beer before the server came back to take our food order. Note: Although the service was extremely slow (too many tables), the food came out almost instantly (almost too fast, like it was pre-made??) with both the appetizer and the main course.

We ended up splitting the Swedish Meatball Sandwich and the chili, which were both on par, and finishing off with a couple of beers. I'll give them another shot in 6 months or so and let you know...

I've been here about four times since they opened. This review is a mix of those four times. The staff is hit-or-miss. Best service award goes to Gavin at the bar...super nice guy. The best experience I've had there was watching the Broncos on Monday night football a few weeks ago. Food is hit or miss also, the smoked wings, are "meh"...the Rueben is on point, one of the best I've had anywhere. I've had the fish and chips too and they were good too. I don't think the menu is the problem.

Here are my grievances: -Things seem to take a while. -Suddenly now your entire party has to be present to be seated which is one of the most annoying things ever... Especially since the entire bar area with the exception of the actual bar requires seating. This is almost a deal breaker for me. It's not only annoying to the customer, it's an unfair position to put a hostess in...I could tell they were both uncomfortable when I said "you got to be kidding me", when at 5:05 pm on a Tuesday evening, staring into a relatively empty bar...and was asked to wait for my other two friends to arrive before letting me sit down at a booth.

-Then at one point in the evening we ordered a Jameson's on the rocks, and I was informed it was extra for the ice...yes, they actually wanted to upcharge for ice... Everyone in my party thought the waiter was joking, but he wasn't ...so I ordered the shot, and then scooped some ice from my ice water into the glass....I actually asked about this later and I was told when they put it on the rocks they give you more whiskey, just give me a shot and cup of ice on the side next time and we'll be good.

So I like the atmosphere, most of the food I've tried is good, but they are clearly going through some growing pains...

You got to ditch that "entire party must be here" policy or you're going to lose a lot of business and frustrate a lot of people... You are in the burbs not some downtown...