Your guide to Great Plates: $25 meal deals at 40-plus Fort Collins restaurants this March
'Tis the season to fill your plates.
Great Plates of Downtown — an annual dining fundraiser benefiting Food Bank for Larimer County — is back March 1-14, with $25 meal deals at more than 40 Old Town bars, restaurants and coffee shops and $2.50 dessert deals at three ice cream shops.
How Great Plates works
During its two-week run, diners will be able to go to any participating restaurant or shop and say they want to partake in Great Plates. After the meal, you'll have a chance to leave a donation for the Food Bank for Larimer County. The food bank receives 100% of the promotion's donations. For more information on Great Plates, visit downtownfortcollins.com.
This year's Great Plates meal deals
Note: Some deals are available all day while others are solely for dinner. A double asterisk ** denotes a restaurant or ice cream shop that is new to Great Plates in 2023.
Ace Gillett's Lounge and Supper Club, 239 S. College Ave.
Two-course dinner for one (dine-in only):
Course 1: Soup du jour or salad du jour
Course 2: Choice of Ace meatloaf with mashed Yukon potatoes and cheesy corn bake; veggie pot pie; or pan-seared salmon with apricot ginger barbecue sauce
Austin's American Grill, 100 W. Mountain Ave.
Two-course dinner for one (dine-in only):
Course 1: Choice of Rotisserie tri-tip roast, Creole-spiced walleye or Berkshire pork chop (all entrées served with choice of side)
Course 2: Bread pudding with salted caramel sauce or midnight espresso chocolate mousse with crème anglaise
Beau Jo's Colorado Style Pizza, 205 N. College Ave.
Two-course meal for two (available all day for dine-in or carry out):
Course 1: Two side salads
Course 2: Two-pound pizza with two toppings to share
Big Al's Burgers and Dogs, 140 W. Mountain Ave.
One-course meal for four (available all day for dine-in or carry out):
Four 60/40 burgers and four classic fries
Bistro Nautile, 150 W. Oak St. (accepts reservations)
Two-course dinner for one (dine-in only):
Course 1: Asparagus monsieur
Course 2: Norwegian-style arctic char atop poached mussels and roasted potato over leek soup
**Blanchard Family Wines, 234 N. College Ave., Unit A3 (accepts reservations)
Personal charcuterie platter and a glass of wine of your choice. Available all day. For dine-in only.
Blue Agave Grill, 201 S. College Ave. (accepts reservations)
Two-course meal for one (available all day for dine-in or carry out):
Course 1: Your choice of a chef’s choice street taco, Blue Agave choice guacamole or chorizo corn dip
Course 2: Your choice of top shelf enchiladas, prime flat iron steak or Meati medallion (vegan, gluten free)
Looking for the best bang for your buck?Try these 5 best value Great Plates deals
Butterfly Cafe, 212 Laporte Ave.
One-course lunch for two (available all day for dine-in or carry out):
Two lunch boxes including your choice of sandwich, chips, cookie, drink and pickle
**Choice City Butcher & Deli, 104 W. Olive St.
One-course dinner for two (dine-in only):
Choose any two burgers and two of Choice City Butcher's 19th anniversary beers
Comet Chicken, 126 W. Mountain Ave.
One-course meal for four (available all day for dine-in or carry out):
Four original chicken sandwiches and four regular fries
CooperSmith's Pub & Brewing, 5 Old Town Square
One-course dinner for two (for dine-in only). Choose two of the following:
8-ounce New York strip steak with Bingham Hill butter, mashed potatoes and vegetables
Pork schnitzel with mashed potatoes, lemon butter cream sauce and bacon beer sauerkraut
Bangers and mash
Fish and chips
Black bean burger
CopperMuse Distillery, 244 N. College Ave., Unit 105 (accepts reservations)
Paired pizza and cocktails for two (available at dinner for dine-in only):
One flatbread pizza with silver rum peach-based sauce, prosciutto, brie, red pepper flakes, honey drizzle and basil
Two specialty cocktails created to pair with the pizza
**Crisp & Green, 221 E. Mountain Ave., Suite 110
One-course meal for two (available all day for dine-in or carry out):
Two signature salads or grain bowls and two aguas frescas
The Crooked Cup, 147 W. Oak St., Unit 101
One-course meal for two (available all day for dine-in or carry out):
Your choice of any two medium-size signature specialty espresso lattes or specialty tea lattes and your choice of house-made breakfast burritos
Dae Gee Korean BBQ, 120 W. Olive St., No. 101
One-course meal for one (dine-in only). Choose one from:
Dak Bulgogi (chicken)
Chadol (brisket)
Chicken dumpling
Sogogi bulgogi (rib-eye beef)
Sam gyeob sal (pork belly)
Dae Gee bulgogi (pork)
The Emporium: An American Brasserie, 378 Walnut St. (accepts reservations)
Two-course dinner for one (for dine-in only):
Course 1: Cream of mushroom soup
Course 2: Grilled cod escabeche over a creamy black pepper polenta
FoCo Cafe, 225 Maple St.
Two-course lunch for one (available for lunch for dine-in or carry-out):
Course 1: Asian pear chop salad
Course 2: Mongolian ground beef and noodles with honey sesame puff pastry
Ginger and Baker - The Cafe, 359 Linden St.
Two-course meal for one (available all day for dine-in only):
Course 1: Wagyu krautburger
Course 2: Choice of quadruple coconut cream pie or chocolate peanut butter pie
Jay's Bistro, 135 W. Oak St. (accepts reservations)
Two-course dinner for one with wine (dine-in only):
Course 1: New England clam chowder or pear salad
Course 2: Your choice of bouillabaisse, bison meatball pasta or Amarillo chicken
Wine: Choose from pinot noir or chardonnay
La Piadina Italian Flatbread Sandwiches, 234 N. College Ave., Unit B3
One-course meal for two (available all day for dine-in carry out):
Any two piadinas and two beverages (including beer or wine)
Or a two-course meal for two:
Course 1: Any two piadinas
Course 2: A dessert piadina with Nutella, jam, walnuts and powdered sugar
**Lima Coffee Roasters, 302 S. College Ave., Suite 130
Any 16-ounce beverage, one pastry and one 12-ounce bag of Lima coffee beans (excluding microlots). Available all day for dine-in or carry out.
Locust Cider, 200 Walnut St., Unit A
One-course dinner for two (dine-in only):
Four pork belly tacos topped with avocado salsa, pico de gallo, cabbage and queso fresco served with side of house-smoked fries
Two 10-ounce pours of any core Locust cider
LuLu Asian Bistro, 117 S. College Ave.
Two-course dinner for two (dine-in only):
Course 1: Spring roll or edamame
Course 2: Three entrees or three special sushi rolls. Entree choices include sesame chicken; Koko chicken; panang tofu or beef; chicken pad thai; chicken drunken noodles; LuLu’s chicken; or peanut chicken. Special roll choices include Las Vegas, Rainbow, Green Dragon, Peachy, Kamikaze, Rocky Mountain or Mexico Maki.
The Melting Pot, 334 E. Mountain Ave. (accepts reservations)
Two-course dinner for one (dine-in only):
Course 1: A foursome of teriyaki sirloin, herb-crusted chicken, Pacific white shrimp and featured pasta served with garden vegetables and dipping sauces
Course 2: Any chocolate fondue served with a variety of sweet treats and fresh fruits
**Mugs Coffee Lounge, 261 S. College Ave. and 306 W. Laurel St.
One-course meal for two (available all day for dine-in or carry out with nonalcoholic drink option):
Two breakfast burritos and two bloody marys or any two 20-ounce drinks
**Philippe French Bistro, 133 S. College Ave. (accepts reservations)
One-course dinner for one (dine-in only):
Braised lamb shoulder with merguez spice, confit tomato, peas and campanelle pasta
**Pour Brothers Community Tavern, 220 Linden St.
One-course meal for two (available for dine-in only one weekday evenings):
Charcuterie flatbread topped with prosciutto, mozzarella, fresh pear, house nut mix, house-pickled onions, golden beets and bar eggs, olives and whole grain beer mustard
RARE Italian, 101 S. College Ave. (accepts reservations)
One-course dinner for one (available for carry out):
Choose one entrée from the RARE menu or one chef's special
Additional RARE Italian deals:
Choose from RARE's old and new world wine lists for a $25 discount
Assorted desserts for $2.50
The Regional, 130 S. Mason St. (accepts reservations)
Three-course dinner for one (dine-in only):
Course 1: Small wedge salad or house soup
Course 2: Hummus plate with accoutrements and pita bread or three wings tossed in house hot sauce, served with blue cheese dressing
Course 3: Choice of slow-cooked pork shoulder, poblano grits, Carolina barbecue and slaw or pasta dressed with basil pesto, shaved parmesan and herb breadcrumbs
The Reserve by Old Elk Distillery, 253 Linden St. (accepts reservations)
One-course meal for one (available all day for dine-in or carry out):
Cast-iron skillet of chili topped with cheese and chives accompanied by a cornbread skillet
Restaurant 415, 415 S. Mason St.
Three-course dinner for two (dine-in only):
Course 1: Mac and cheese and choice of house salad or Caesar salad
Course 2: Share one of six handcrafted pizzas (gluten-free varieties available for an additional $3) or blackened cauliflower
Course 3: Lemon tiramisu or pot de crème
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant, 125 S. College Ave. (accepts reservations)
Three-course meal for two (available all day for carry out):
Course 1: Two diabla shrimp empanadas
Course 2: Chicken and Texas sausage fajitas
Course 3: Chocolate pot de crème
Rodizio Grill, 200 Jefferson St. (accepts reservations)
Endless trips to gourmet salad bar with more than 30 items and hot Brazilian sides and appetizers as well as an unlimited variety of rotisserie grilled meats including tri-tip steak, bacon-wrapped chicken, sweet and spicy chicken, brown sugar glazed ham and glazed pineapple. Only available for dinner. Dine-in only.
**Silver Grill Cafe, 218 Walnut St.
One-course lunch for two (available for dine-in or carry out):
One giant cinnamon roll
Your choice of two of the following: traditional eggs Benedict, old towner breakfast, cinnamon roll French toast, French dip with fries or avocado toast with fruit
Other Silver Grill deal:
Build-your-own mimosas: A liter of orange juice and bottle of prosecco for $25
Social, 1 Old Town Square, No. 7
Two featured cocktails and a premium cheese and charcuterie board to share. Available for dinner. Dine-in only.
Sonny Lubick Steakhouse, 115 S. College Ave. (accepts reservations)
Three-course dinner for one (dine-in only):
Course 1: Creamy asparagus soup or tomato salad
Course 2: Choice of slow-roasted prime rib with garlic parmesan mashed potatoes or verlasso salmon with roast corn puree
Course 3: Choice of fudge brownie with vanilla ice cream or apple walnut bread pudding topped with vanilla ice cream, Vern's toffee and caramel sauce
Appetizer and wine for two (available at dinner; dine-in only):
Black pepper pork belly with white miso, orange gastrique and pickled vegetables
Two glasses of Caramel Road pinot noir
The Still Whiskey Steaks, 151 N. College Ave. (accepts reservations)
Two-course dinner for one (dine-in only):
Course 1: House salad
Course 2: Choice of chopped steak, pork schnitzel or brick chicken
Stuft a burger bar, 210 S. College Ave.
Two All-American burgers and two regular fries. Available for dinner and dine-in only.
Tap and Handle, 307 S. College Ave.
One-course dinner for two (dine-in only):
Mediterranean-inspired herb-roasted chicken, tomato and cucumber salad and hummus with pita
Tom Kha Thai Asian Bistro, 144 N. Mason St., Unit 8
One-course dinner for two (dine-in only):
Choose two entrees from the Wok Fried Rice or Fortune Noodles menus (except the Khao Soi Thai) with a selection of chicken, pork, beef, tofu, veggies (add $3 for shrimp or combo)
Union Bar & Soda Fountain, 250 Jefferson St.
Two-course meal for two (available all day; dine-in only):
Course 1: Choice of Union double angus burger, tofu banh-mi sandwich or Jefferson Street cobb salad
Course 2: All-American sundae or peanut butter chocolate mousse tart
Uno Mas Taqueria y Cantina, 120 W. Olive St., Unit 104
Two-course meal for two (available all day; dine-in only):
Course 1: Chips and queso to start or churros to finish
Course 2: Choice of any four tacos from regular menu
Vatos Tacos & Tequila, 200 N. College Ave.
Two-course meal for two (available all day; dine-in only):
Course 1: Choice of any four street tacos, including the featured Great Plates taco
Course 2: Two cups of creamy chicken poblano soup and one side of elote street corn
The Welsh Rabbit Bistro, 200 Walnut St., Unit B (Accepts reservations)
Two-course lunch for two (dine-in only):
Course 1: Herb goat salad
Course 2: Soup of the day with half a sandwich
Great Plates dessert deals
Ben & Jerry's, 1 Old Town Square, Suite 104
One cookie monster waffle cone — white chocolate-dipped waffle cone covered in Oreos, chocolate chip cookie crumbles and one scoop of your favorite ice cream flavor — for $2.50.
Old Town Churn Ice Cream, 234 N. College Ave., Suite D
One small scoop of ice cream for $2.50 or a four-pack of pints for $25.
Walrus Ice Cream, 125 W. Mountain Ave.
$2.50 made-to-order ice cream sandwiches or a four-pack of hand-packed ice cream pints for $25.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins restaurants: A guide to Great Plates' 2023 meal deals
