Written by Emily Ng
3. Fit for a King: King’s Chef
As a member of the under 21 community, I have yet to experience the full glory of the legendary Colorado Springs staple: the drunk food Mecca that is King’s Chef Diner. Regardless, I have heard the King’s Chef experience is imperative to a true Springs experience. King’s Chef Diner supplies massive portions of the greasiest food at the most obscure hours (from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m Thursday through Saturday), and it’s just a 10-minute walk south of campus on the corner of Bijou and Nevada.
Menu options include a stacked plate of cheesy, bacon-covered potatoes, enormous burgers, and local favorites like green chili. If you find yourself with the munchies or hankering for some house-made hot caramel cider, without hope of midnight breakfast solace, $10 will fulfill all of your late night needs—as long as you can safely stumble your way off campus.
2. Monica’s Taco Emporium
You know that you’ve found a good taco shop if it is open almost 24 hours a day. The demand at Monica’s Taco Shop is so overwhelming that customers arrive at a steady pace from 5 a.m to 11 p.m every day. Monica’s huge client base ranges from soccer moms, immigrants, and even the occasional Colorado College professor. The restaurant interior is decorated with colorful sombreros, poncho-inspired tapestries, and dried chilies hanging from the walls.
In concurrence with the décor, the menu offers a plethora of different items including tacos, tortas, enchiladas, and many other Mexican comfort food favorites with house-made meats like carnitas and carne asada. Monica’s also offers sweet indulgences like horchata and churros.
Despite the quality and quantity of the food, you must be warned before eating at Monica’s that you will participate in a 16-year-old feud in the restaurant over which is the best homemade salsa—red or green—amongst other traditional condiments such as fresh cucumbers, peppers, and carrots.
Two tacos, a full meal for many, can run at as little as $4. Keep Monica’s in mind next time you’re searching for some authentic, inexpensive Mexican food or craving tacos. The restaurant’s wide selection of burritos, plates, and chimichangas is only a 13-minute bike ride away on 30 East Fillmore St.