Lebowski’s Taproom has been open a year, and based on the superior pub fare and overall good vibes, I hope it’s around for many more to come.
It’s an enjoyable space with multiple references to the cult film “The Big Lebowski.” Even one of the owners is named Dave, who stopped by our table to introduce himself and thank us for coming in; he also checked back later to ensure all was well. It was. Although this made us feel special, he made the rounds to everyone. Nonetheless, it was an appreciated gesture.
We were presented with several menus: the regular, the drink and the seasonal. We were tempted by a few of the offerings on the latter, but stuck with what’s always available. Our server had three recommendations for us: The Bunny, The Maude and The Walter. Almost everything on the menu is connected to the movie, even if in name only, so if you’ve seen the movie, you’ll get it; if not, just enjoy the food.
ABOVE FROM LEFT: The Nihilist Cheese Sticks at Lebowski’s Taproom are hand breaded and fried to perfection, served with marinara or a side of ranch dressing; the crunchy jalapeño poppers are served with a side of creamy ranch; and The Bunny is made with blackberry jam, creamy brie and Swiss cheeses, and crispy bacon on toasted bread.
When our server said the Nihilist Cheese Sticks ($8.50) are hand-breaded, there was no doubt we would order them. Seasoned, panko-coated mozzarella shaped into large finger-size sticks came with house-made marinara on the side and served in a paper-lined wire basket. Crunchy and gooey, these cheese sticks were tasty with and without the sauce. They’re also filling!
Still, we were ready to move onto our entrees: The Bunny ($17) and Grinder Sub ($17). The latter came with the option of being “Dave-Vinci” style, which made it open-faced smothered in marinara.
A delicious grinder sub “Dave-Vinci” style with a side of jalapeño poppers.
What teased our taste buds about the sub was the menu identifying the Italian sausage as being from Gagliano’s Italian Market and Deli in Pueblo.
The sausage patty was the same shape as the hoagie-style roll, so everything fit nicely. It included mozzarella, grilled onions and served a la “Dave-Vinci.” This was not the kind of sandwich to eat with your hands.
The Bunny: Blackberry jam, creamy Brie & Swiss cheeses, and crispy bacon on toasted bread. A fun version of a sassy grilled cheese.
The Bunny was a spin on a traditional grilled cheese. Brie and Swiss cheese smeared with blackberry jam and topped with slices of crispy bacon was an imaginative combination. Some bites suggested a jelly doughnut while others, thanks to the smoky, savory bacon, were more balanced. This could be tried at home, but Lebowski’s has it nailed.
Our sandwiches came with a choice of fries or tater tots, so we opted for both. These were not after-thought additions, but rather mounds of spuds accompanying the meals. Fries were lightly dusted with house-made seasoning mix that surely included paprika. However, we were told the ingredients were a secret. Nonetheless, the flavor was underwhelming given the quality of the sandwiches.
Crunchy Jalapeño poppers with a side of creamy ranch.
To me, tots are tots, so aside from being crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, there was nothing that wowed me; the cheese sticks and sandwiches did that.
There’s an ever-changing list of available beers and nine variations on White Russians, along with other libations.
Not only do I look forward to returning to Lebowski’s soon, I now want to see the movie again — something, at one time, I probably never would have admitted.
This post was originally published on here
