Review: Atomic Cowboy, Denver CO

Cowboys vs. aliens. You pretty much can't go wrong.

It's the theme of the Atomic Cowboy on Colfax, right in my neighborhood, close to Congress and City Parks. Admittedly, today's visit wasn't my first time at the Atomic, as it's one of the closest bars to our place. But today, after grocery shopping, I opted to check out the bar's menu.

Walking in the door, the first thing one comes across is a massive pile of board games - everything from Connect Four to Monopoly to Sorry, though sadly lacking is a good game of Pop-o-Matic Trouble. The decor is pure retro kitsch - large metal space age light fixtures arc above the bar, reminiscent of some alien craft. The highlight of the art is a tryptich featuring a wild west standoff between a cowboy and an alien straight out of Mars Attacks.

Sunday afternoons from 11 to 7 is half-price draft beer, so I got a Newcastle and perused the menu. There's a good selection of bar food (I have to say I've enjoyed the Mini Corn Dogs on more than one occasion), several burgers with a good choice of toppings, and a number of sandwiches, salads, wraps, and even fish and chips or macaroni and cheese.

I chose the Catfish Po'boy Wrap, and was very pleasantly surprised. I opted for onion rings from a choice of fries, garlic fries which I cannot recommend enough - though just make sure you aren't on a date, onion rings or potato salad. It wasn't busy, so my food arrived at lightning speed. The wrap was completely delicious - the fish tender, the sauce and breading just right. Lettuce and tomato completed it perfectly, and the onion rings on the side were delicious.

I am obviously partial to the bar's kitsch value, as well as their jukebox, which threw out both new Bright Eyes and the Dead Kennedys' Too Drunk To Fuck while I was eating. But for simple, inexpensive, tasty food served with a good beer in a good atmosphere, you can't go wrong with the wild west meets galaxy far, far away. Plus, after a night of rocking out at the Bluebird Theater a block down, you're going to be hungry and thirsty.

Details:
Location: Atomic Cowboy
3237 E. Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80206
Price Range ($ -$$$) $
Service: Great when it's slow, good when busy, always friendly.
Food:
and a half (out of five)

Overall: Thumbs Up!