Colorado is home base for me and it’s a foodie state for certain. The city of Fort Collins, in particular, has a burgeoning restaurant scene. Ft. Collins local, Ron Stern, joins the RealFoodTraveler.com team to help us explore just five of the best foodie finds in this college town.

College Avenue and Mountain Avenue converge in Ft. Collins.

5 of the Best Food Finds in Fort Collins, Colorado

Back when I first moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, in 2000 there weren’t many specialty or niche eateries in the city beyond some of the major chains. When people came from out of town to visit and would ask me my favorite restaurant, I had a hard time coming up with a good answer.

Fortunately, over the years some mom and pops started dotting the landscape bringing with them their dreams and flavors of culinary excellence. Now, when asked that question, I have to pause and decide among many, depending upon my mood and taste. So without further ado, here are five of my favorite go-tos.

Waltzing Kangaroo – Australian Savory Pies

If you have ever been to Australia or Great Britain, you are probably familiar with their iconic dishes like savory meat pies. Ausssie transplant, Steve Phillips and his American wife Aimee have brought these delicacies to Ft. Collins and are serving homesick Aussies, Brits and anyone else who longs for traditional pub fare.

Having worked at his family’s bakery on Australia’s central coast, Steve learned the pastry secrets that made their meat pies a big hit among locals. This came in handy once he and Aimee decided to move to the U.S. and open a restaurant with the hope that Americans would come to love the traditional Aussie pies as much as their countrymen.

After having checked out many areas of Colorado, they ended up in the busy Campus West area of Ft. Collins, right next to the University of Colorado and opened Waltzing Kangaroo in 2016.

To their amazement, the line went out the door, and they sold everything before the end of the first day. “We were bombarded,” says Aimee, who found that so many people loved their experience that they became regulars after day one.

Using quality ingredients and spices imported from Australia they make everything from scratch. Each pie takes days to prepare starting with roasting bones and vegetables for stock that cooks for 11 hours.

The most popular pie at Waltzing Kangaroo is the Guinness® steak and mushroom. This is a hearty meal with rich flavor from the beer that is just perfect for those colder, Colorado days.  On the poultry side, you can’t go wrong with their chicken and white cheese sauce which is creamy and delicious. Their sides are also pretty amazing so my suggestion is to round out your meal with sweet potato mash and bright green mushy peas.

Wanting every aspect of their eatery to be a fair dinkum (That’s Aussie for tried and true.) experience, Steve and Aimee import Bundaberg Ginger Beer from back home. If you’ve never had a good ginger beer, don’t miss this flavor intensive experience.

For dessert, try their profiterole pastry filled with crème pâtissière and dipped in chocolate ganache or their vanilla slice; a creamy vanilla custard placed between light puff pastry with a tart lemon curd icing.

A meat pie from Waltzing Kangaroo.

Elevated Sandwiches-Made from scratch hoagies

I stumbled upon Elevated Sandwiches quite by accident while hungry and looking for someplace to eat. I saw their sign in a small strip mall on the north end of town and decided to give it a try.

Their menu was pretty straightforward but tantalizing nonetheless. The cheesesteak, however, caught my attention. Having moved from Los Angeles more than two decades ago, I was craving a good one, like I used to get from a little place in Burbank who made them just the way I liked.  I ordered one with the works that included shaved steak, melted American cheese, sautéed onions, and bell peppers. It also came with some truffle chips and a daily salad.

After one bite, I was hooked. The bread had just the right amount of crunch and the creamy cheese blended perfectly with the tender, flavorful meat and other ingredients. So it may have taken a while, but I finally found my new favorite cheesesteak eatery hiding in plain sight on the southeast corner of North College Ave. and East Willox Lane.

Turns out the owners, Matt and Holly Iafeliece have a long history in the food industry. Holly worked in her family’s sandwich shop in Wisconsin and Matt has a fine-dining background from Florida. After not being able to find what they considered a “good” sandwich shop in town, they decided to create their own.

They offer nine varieties including “The Cubano” with house-roasted Mojo Pork, “The Reuben” with house-made corn beef, Swiss cheese, and Sriracha 1000 Island dressing. Another sandwich, the “Da Chicago Beef” is prepared with house- roasted thin shaved beef and authentic Chipico pickles from Chicago. “This one takes 72-hours to prepare and get it to the slicer,” says Matt.

Matt makes almost everything in house from scratch using the finest ingredients and then adds creative extras when needed. “We take your childhood favorites and elevate them, he says. Many have commented that these sandwiches were the best they have ever had which is probably the reason that they have an almost perfect rating on Google.

So the next time you are craving some authentic tastes of home, head north to satisfy that hunger. These hoagies will more than satisfy and elevate your taste buds.

A Cheese Steak from Elevated Sandwiches.

Gelato & aMore – Gelato and Italian Deli Specialties

You might say that Paul Pellegrino has Italian food in his blood. Growing up as a boy in Newark, NJ, he learned all about cooking from his entire family of Italian descent. Everyone, from his father to his aunt had their secret recipes for cooking great east coast and Southern Italian dishes.

His grandfather used to sell watermelon and peppers from his horse and buggy back in the 1940s and was affectionately known as “Joey Peppers.” All of these became the basis for his authentic Italian cuisine at Gelato & aMore located near City Park in Fort Collins.

What started as an extension of his catering business grew into something he didn’t expect. He got hold of some gelato equipment and decided to add this cool confection to his burgeoning menu. “Gelato experts from Italy came here to train me,” he said. Using their extracts, he creates 16-30 varieties that are smooth, creamy, and bursting with intense flavor.

Usually, just a taste is all that is required to make one a lifelong customer. In my case, it was the passion fruit followed by pink grapefruit. Local Chris Robinson tried some of the grapefruit while I was there and her eyes blissfully closed saying it was a 10 out of 10 and as good as anything she had in Italy.

But I digress. The extensive menu includes everything from artisan pan pizzas to chicken cacciatore to hoagies. I can attest to the “wow factor” of his meatball parm made with beef, pork, house-made mozzarella, and San Marzano marinara sauce.

Other local favorites include his Italian wedding soup, with chicken meatballs, egg drop, orzo, spinach, and carrots. His eye-popping dessert case is loaded with sweet temptations. Like what you say? How about tiramisu (they even make the cookie inside), 7-layer cake, cannoli, and panna cotta.

Pellegrino jokes about the name of his eatery which many think mean he just sells gelato. Once people see his menu, however, and try some of the food, they are quickly transported back to Italy where great food has been passed down from generation to generation.

Lasagna at Gelat aMore.

Smokin’ Fins – Seafood, Sushi, and More

While you might be tempted to pass by Smokin’ Fins at the Foothills Fashion Mall thinking they only serve seafood and sushi, that might be a gastronomic misstep. Inside a whole world of culinary diversity awaits. From fried chicken to prime rib to gluten-free options, they make almost everything in their scratch kitchen. But, is it possible to do it all well? Judging from the positive online reviews, the answer is yes.

“Once somebody comes in, I win,” says chef and operating partner Chris Saracino who exudes passion and high energy. Having spent 20-years in the restaurant industry, he goes to extra lengths to ensure each diner is wowed by his creations. “Most first time diners end up coming back within 1-3 days,” he says.  The reason seems to be a combination of excellent service, fresh ingredients, and a genuine love for creating great food.

For sushi, I tried the Mango Tango Roll. No skimpy portions here as it is a meal in itself.  A beautiful presentation is part of the overall ambiance and this colorful concoction is chock full of tempura shrimp and crab and topped with avocado, panko, mango, eel sauce, spicy aioli with just a bit of heat.

If you love beef, try The Prime, prepared with house-smoked prime rib, smoked Gouda, sautéed mushrooms, and onions on a garlic toasted baguette. This mouth-watering sandwich will probably be enough for lunch and dinner.

If sushi, seafood, or beef aren’t your thing, then go with the 24 Hour Nashville Chicken. This local favorite features a golden-fried chicken breast that is marinated for 24 hours in a secret blend of buttermilk and spices, including one that adds a little kick.

If you still have room for dessert, then ask for their daily specials. I had the Palisade Peach cheesecake (gluten-free) that was smooth, creamy and light at the same time.

With all the tempting choices, one thing is certain; you won’t leave hungry. With great service, quality products, and attention to detail, Smokin Fins has upped the ante for excellent, affordable food in Ft. Collins.

Smokin’ Fins’ seared scallops.

La Crêperie &  French Bakery – French Café & Artisan Bakery 

The lines form early at this little bakery in mid-town Fort Collins. Part of the larger La Crêperie & Croissants de France Restaurant, the brightly lit pastry cases had me drooling while I patiently waited for my turn. The lady in front of me literally covered her eyes so she wouldn’t be tempted to buy more than she intended. The visuals included a classic French strawberry cake with custard and buttercream and ganache-covered chocolate domes with sponge cake, chocolate mousse and passionfruit–oh my!

The inspiration behind all these creations is artisan baker Jean Claude Lucas. Having apprenticed in Brittany and Paris, he knows a thing or two about how to make authentic cakes, pastries, baguettes, and croissants. Many of his customers say that his items are as good as anything they have had in France.

A big sign on the wall tells the story: “The artisan baker is an endangered species in the baking industry. Here we bake traditionally. No preservatives, no artificial flavors, no ingredients you can’t read.” I was pretty much an instant believer after one bite of his chocolate dome with passionfruit. No wonder he sells out of most things each day, I thought.

The restaurant side serves breakfast and lunch and Lucas offers a variety of specialty Galettes from Bretagne, France. These savory buckwheat crepes are made from a mix of 50% buckwheat and 50% white flour. I chose the ham and cheese that was tasty, hearty, and satisfying. Too bad as I didn’t have any room left for a sweet crepe like the coconut, banana, and chocolate ganache that I was eyeing.

Many other items were on the menu, of course, including egg omelets, cocotte brioche (two poached eggs in a homemade brioche with various sauces), and French toast served with fresh fruit and whipped cream.

With colorful artwork adorning the walls, the atmosphere is warm and inviting. If you plan a visit go early as the secret is out and they get quite busy during peak times.

All of the owners seemed to have several things in common: a passion for their culinary art and a desire to provide a memorable experience for their customers. While I could have probably added another dozen to this list, these five should serve you well as Ft. Collins grows into a full-fledged food mecca along the northern Front Range.

Pastries at La Creperie.

–Story and images by Ron Stern, “The Global Gumshoe” and RFT’s Hospitality Editor

Please note: The author was a guest of these establishments, however, all opinions are his own.

Hungry for more? Get to know more of the state on the Colorado Spirits Trail. Head to the hills to explore a surprising culinary scene at a dude ranch. Learn more about RealFoodTraveler.com’s Colorado connection, on our About page.