The Mitchellins: Boulder's best restaurants, ranked by pants
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After nominations, deliberations and rigorous eating on the company dime, the time has come to reveal the inaugural Mitchellins — honoring the finest in Boulder County dining.
Why it matters: Boulder and plenty of other Colorado dining communities felt snubbed by this year's Michelin Guide. So we created an award for the rest of us — the everyday eaters who care about good food, fair prices, full stomachs and immaculate vibes.
My credentials: What does a 15-year crime reporter know about food?
- Nothing.
- And that's the point.
Michelin has stars. The Mitchellins have something, perhaps, even more exclusive: pants.
- Because there's no higher culinary honor than persuading me to put some on and leave the house.
Without further ado, the inaugural Mitchellins go to:
👖 Fancy pants
Best elevated dining without the elevated bill
Winner: Odd Rabbit, Boulder
Why it wins: The new east Boulder spot was overlooked by the Michelin Guide, but not the Mitchellins.
- Despite its award-winning pedigree, Odd Rabbit is surprisingly affordable.
- A $20 bowl of filling ramen and few of its large and tasty rolls, and you're all set.
🧘 Yoga pants
Best brunch
Winner: Foolish Craig's, Boulder
Why it wins: I'm a sucker for eggs Benedict and nearly every remix of it, and Foolish Craig's has enough varieties to make hollandaise its own weekend food group.
- Oh, and being on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" might not be a Michelin thing, but here that's worth bonus points.
🔥 Pants on fire
Best spicy food
Winner: Efrain's of Boulder, Boulder
Why it wins: Efrain's has serious heat credentials: Its pork-studded variety won Westword's Best Green Chile in 2023, and its famous chile verde comes with a heat warning.
- I have the spice tolerance of a toddler, but Efrain's menu has plenty for the heat-averse, too.
🍱 Sweatpants
Best all-you-can-eat
Winner: Hokkaido Sushi, Lafayette
Why it wins: Picking a good all-you-can-eat special is a science, and this east county spot checks all the boxes.
- The speedy service means you get your money's worth, and pretty much the entire menu is fair game.
- Oh, and they have a giant stuffed marlin on the wall.
🩳 Cargo pants
Best family-friendly bang for your buck
Winner: Urban Field Pizza & Market, Longmont
Why it wins: Urban Field has a big kids' menu, or you can just split a pizza with the fam.
- But chef Nick Swanson also has dreamed up more than enough exotic Detroit-style pies and other dishes to keep the adults happy.
⏳ Keep your pants on
Most worth the wait
Winner: Lucile's Creole Cafe, Boulder
Why it wins: Yes, there is a good chance you will have to wait during brunch rush, and then have to sit with your knees touching a stranger. But the Southern comfort dishes, beignets and hot chocolate are worth it. Oh, and their homemade ketchup has its own cult following.
Didn't see your favorite? Let us know, and maybe it can win next year … Assuming my editors and the people in accounting let me do this next year.