Ted's Country Diner, Monument, Colorado

Ted’s Country Diner

Monument, Colorado

Good Morning. Ok, today I am going to do something out of the ordinary, which is review a non-restaurant. Since my sister’s better half, Ted, prepared a travel (or a ‘thank God he’s leaving’) breakfast just for me and because of their wonderful hospitality, I felt compelled to write about it. This is a breakfast from the heart and what could be more worthy than that?

The name of this non-restaurant is ‘Ted’s Diner’ (really my sister’s house) and is located in the mountains of Colorado in a small town called ‘Monument’. It lays in-between Colorado Springs and Denver off Interstate 25. It is nestled on a quiet street that is filled with pine trees and spacious properties. It could be a bed and breakfast place with little effort. The dining room is small; it seats 8, but it is very cozy with a spectacular view of a large cattle ranch with the scenic Rocky Mountains as its backdrop. My ride to get there is something I try to do every year, which is get out on the road and enjoy this marvelous country of ours. I started in Northridge, rode to Paso Robles, through Hollister, Yosemite and then the high deserts of Nevada and Utah which have some of the most remote roads I have ever been on, and then on to Colorado. All in all, it is about a 1600 mile ride. It just goes to show you I will go to any lengths to get a good breakfast. No wonder my waistline is growing.

This all started when Jane recommended King’s Chef Diner and they were telling me about how great their breakfast is (read the review) and that their biscuits and gravy were better or equal to Ted’s. Well, I agreed that King’s was exceptional, but since it has been a while since I have tasted Ted’s it was hard to compare. Ted, not being one to be outdone, told me he was going to prepare a special breakfast for my departure. Since I have never been one to turn down a good meal, it sounded great to me. My ride that morning was going to take me to Santa Fe, New Mexico and I didn’t want to stop to eat, so Ted’s offer was perfect timing.

I woke especially early on Saturday (5am) to make some coffee, pack my bike, make sure I didn’t leave anything behind and give myself some time to visit my mother before breakfast was ready. In fact, I was up before everyone in the house. When I am on a road trip, unlike when I am at home, I don’t waste any time fucking around in the morning. ‘Chef Ted’ came downstairs right after me and immediately went to work. Now, of course I wanted to watch him prepare some of the morning offerings but was shielded from knowing too much. Since he was busy at work (plus he gets testy if you bother him) I decided to leave him alone to his creative powers and go visit my mother.

Of course Mom was sad that I was leaving and reminded me in her own, ‘pass on some guilt’ way, that she won’t see me until next year, ‘if she is still around’. Well, at 84 years old, I guess you have the right to feel that way but I reminded her, God doesn’t want her yet; she is to ornery and  Jane still needs guidance about how to live life (My sister is going to kill me for that). After our morning talk, I went downstairs to check on the chef. The aroma coming out of the kitchen was outstanding. My mouth started to water as I was watching the final part, the eggs, being prepared. Jane, my niece and nephew also joined us for this farewell, ‘go the hell home,’ breakfast.

I had easy-over eggs, biscuits and gravy, bacon, grits and pancakes to top it off. Well, to start with, the eggs were cooked perfectly (Ted knows me) the bacon was crisp but not shrunk to nothing. Now grits is something that I have had to acquire a taste for. I have never really liked them but I keep trying because as I get older my taste buds change and they must have because with a little butter, salt and pepper, these grits were wonderful. The pancakes were real special because they were prepared with fresh raspberries that Ted picked from their garden that very morning. Yummy stuff. Ted’s biscuits and gravy is just, well, outstanding. It is not for the faint of heart though because this stuff has a bite to it. I won’t even begin to tell you what’s in the gravy because I have no idea but I can assure you, this is one of the best biscuits and gravy I have ever eaten. He could bottle it and make a fortune. There was alot of food on my plate and Ted tells me, ‘don’t worry Gary, you don’t have to finish it all, I just wanted you to be able to taste everything.’

Are you kidding me? Has he forgotten who he is talking to? I ate everything on my plate. After all, my mother is close by and if she finds out I left something on the plate I will never hear the end of it.  LOL

I have to say this breakfast was an ‘off the charts experience’ that sent me on my way totally stuffed and ready for the day’s ride. After a couple of tearful farewells, I got on my bike and headed south on I-25 to New Mexico. I exited the interstate at Hwy 64 and headed west towards Taos. The ride to Taos is very scenic which takes you to Eagles Nest, which, when you arrive, it is from the top of a mountain pass that reveals this huge valley with the view of an immense lake. Also there is a river alongside Hwy 64 that is very beautiful and it makes you want to stop and get out your fishing pole or just sit and daydream along the side of its banks, and of course the amazing scent of pine trees follows you the entire way.  After stopping briefly in Taos for some window shopping, a fresh lemonade and to replace the Swiss Army Knife that I left in some hotel (my bags always have more room on the return trip, now I know why) I was on my way to Santa Fe for the night. This is another of those ‘biker’ experiences when riding a motorcycle puts you in another place, another time. There are no troubles in the world and there is just you, the wind, the trees, the mountains and the best sound in the world, the rumble of your Harley eating up the miles of this beautiful country. This day started with ‘Ted’s Diner’, my family and the finish of one of the best vacations I can remember. I want to thank all of you for coming with me on this journey and if Ted really does open up a diner, be sure to go there for breakfast. This guy is one hell of a cook and a great guy. I want to thank my sister for her generosity and love.

Ride Safe and when you go to any of the places that I have written about, tell them Hope & Gary sent you. Well, for now, just Gary.