Most Unique Eats in Fort Collins

Every now and again you might just get the urge to try something completely new, be it a fruit you have rarely every heard of or a foreign cuisine that sparks your curiosity. The problem is that small town restaurants often tend not deviate from the well trodden path of the everyday American favorites. Luck for adventurous eaters in Fort Collins that will not be a problem. There are plenty of unique choices in the area.

Pho (pronounced fuh)

For those of you that are craving some of this delicious Vietnamese soup, look no further than Phoduy near Drake and College. It is close by and the culinary adventure will not break the bank.

Ethiopian

Nyala Ethiopian Cuisine is an authentic Ethiopian dining experience. This restaurant is truly unique and offers are wide variety of dishes that are something you have never seen the likes of. It is a favorite among Fort Collins residents as well as Kristen Browning-Blas of the Denver Post.

Brazilian

Rodizio Grill is like nothing most people have ever experienced.From men dressed in elaborate costumes to meat on swords, it is more than just a meal. That said be ready to spend some serious dough at this unique restaurant, but know that it will be money well spent.

Moroccan

Indulge is the perfect place to go to satisfy your sweet tooth with a unique dessert that you can't get just anywhere. Fort Collins residents adore this restaurant, not just for the sumptuous  menu items but for the decor as well.

Foods To Try Before You Die

If the recent Facebook app that stacks you up against your friends based on how many unique foods you have tried didn't get you thinking about how daring your palette is maybe you should ask yourself a few questions.

Have you ever tried starfruit? What about alligator? Have you thought about turtle soup? No? Then if you're feeling adventurous, you have some work to do. Bucket lists are not just for base jumping and sky diving anymore. If you'd like to try something new consider making a food bucket list, meaning food you have to try before you die. It can be a restaurant or just a weird sounding fruit.

If you like to travel and want to add items that are unique to other countries try taking a look at Weird Things People Eat in Other Countries. You will find some things that you will be eager to get your hands on such as cone pizza, and other things like salmon candy that you might be okay ignoring.

If you want to get some restaurant ideas try the Restaurant Bucket List app on Facebook. This can point you in the right direction if you can't think of particular foods you want to try, but know that you want to be a bit more adventurous next time you go out to eat.

For more information about foods that you must add to your bucket list try The Ultimate Food Lover's Bucket List. You can check out their slideshow or like the on Facebook to see their every chaining list of unique eats.

Fort Collins Cheap Eats

We've all had that night where we have no energy to cook, nothing in our fridge anyway, and find our wallets a bit worse for the ware. The good news is Fort Collins if full of cheap and easy ways to fill your stomach with something fantastic and wont empty your wallet either. Below are some of the ways to find those deals:

Hungry Rams

If you are a hungry student Hungry Rams is the way to go. This website provides you with an exhaustive list of local restaurants and the specials they run that will save you money. The specials are listed by the day so they are never expired and never out of date. Not only can you find deals but you can order too. Whether you want take out or delivery there are plenty of deals to make sure you are full.

Groupon

Though Groupon often focuses on the Denver area it is not all that uncommon to find some special deals for Fort Collins area as well. The reason to use Groupon can be summed up in one word: quality. They offer exclusive deals that are not often found anywhere else, and they are often from a restaurant where you wouldn't expect to eat cheap.

Deal Chicken

This website is, in many ways a lot like Groupon. It offers more exclusive discounts on restaurants that may not always be interested in running coupons in the student saver books. The reason to use this site over Groupon is that it has the option to search just Northern Colorado rather than Denver. The trade off is there tends to be fewer deals.

Rio Grande Fort Collins Review

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The Rio Grande is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Fort Collins (despite their lack of anything like a mole burrito). From their Margaritas to their smothered burritos the food is to die for, but it's not just the food that draws people in. The Rio, as the locals call it, hosts salsa nights every Tuesday that begin with lessons and continue into the night with an open dance floor. The prices are certainly reasonable and they offer plenty of specials if you come on the right night.

The Rio often hosts private events as well. Up a flight of stairs, above the restaurant is the Agave room. This room is available for rent by private parties and often is. Recently a local elementary school hosted their silent auction fundraiser there.

If you have never been to The Rio, or you haven't been back in a while, maybe now is the time to venture in. Whether it be for an event, lunch, dinner, or just to wet your whistle with one of their famous margaritas you wont regret it. 

Food Photography Review

I love food photography as much as the next person. Unfortunately everyone with an iphone and an internet connection seems to consider themselves a food photographer. We have entered a culture where a vast majority of people seem to think that everyone in the blogsphere cares what you ate for breakfast, lunch, dinner  and dessert. That being said, I really appreciate those food photographers who represent food as it should be, not overdone, just simple and delicious.

Gary Tardiff




The food photography of Gary Tardiff reminds me of the photos that were in my mothers cookbooks when I was little. My mother kept many brightly colored cookbooks with vivid and simple photographs. I appreciate his ability to let the food speak for itself. His use of patterns is also a really great touch, providing direction and order for the eye. Overall I like his tendency for the bright and colorful yet not over exposed or garish.

Ryan Matthew Smith

What I enjoy most about Ryan Matthew Smith's work is that it is unique. It is not just a nice picture of what he ate earlier that day, nor is it really food photography as we know it. His work gives you a view of something that you have never looked at before. It is almost scientific, the curiosity that is sparked when you realize that this is no ordinary look at food.


Dave Brown



Dave Brown, a Denver Food Photographer, has a knack for showing food just as it is. The background of his photos are often a bright over exposed white and he takes the photography principle of getting closer very seriously. The colors are always very vivid, but the white backgrounds make the food appear more clean and crisp and fresh. I think his use of selective focus is also a strong aspect of his food photography.