Vast menu offerings and spectacular vistas at this historic Colorado Springs golf course | Dining review

By By ROBIN INTEMANN features@gazettedev.gazette.com November 3, 2024 | updated 2 years ago

The Chicken Quesadilla — Cheddar and jack, onions, peppers, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, salsa

From the moment you pass through the gates at the entrance to the city-owned Patty Jewett Golf Course, it’s clear this is not only a place to hit the links, but it is also a beautiful, historic part of Colorado Springs.

For those who aren’t golfers, you can still enjoy the grand experience of driving beneath the tree-lined road leading to the club house and Patty Jewett Bar & Grill. And those who do venture to the front or back nine know the eatery is a comfortable spot for a pre or post-game respite.

Food is reasonably priced with a variety of options, mostly well-prepared, but it’s the stunning views of the mountains to the west that are exceptional — especially if seated at sunset. A large patio and expansive windows mean most diners can enjoy the vistas.

The Chicken Quesadilla — Cheddar and jack, onions, peppers, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, salsa

One of my favorite items here are the nachos ($9.95 and $16.95), which can be meals in themselves. Instead, we ordered steak quesadilla ($13.95). Flour tortillas were packed with pieces of grilled steak mixed with cheddar and Jack cheeses. Topped with green onions and diced tomatoes served with salsa, sour cream and guacamole, they were easy to share but would also have sufficed as an entree.

The Shaved Prime Rib French Dip with a side of Onion Rings.

The French dip ($18.90, with onion rings) is one of many sandwiches available. It’s “shaved prime rib” on a hoagie roll. The meat was moist, even without the requisite au jus served on the side. The only problem was the beef to bread ratio was lacking; there was simply too much of the roll.

The crunchy, not oily, onion rings were well made.

Fresh Ahi Poke Bowl — Ahi, cucumber, fresh ginger, carrots, avocado, water chestnuts, wasabi peas, sesame seeds, rice noodles, fried wontons

The most impressive in taste and plate appeal was the ahi poke bowl ($16.95). The colorful mix of cubed ahi, sliced cucumbers, diced avocado, slivers of fresh ginger, grated carrots, pickled red onions and spicy, green wasabi peas on a bed of rice noodles tasted even better than it looked. Everything was fresh, and the addition of fried wontons provided another texture element.

Nightly specials are a draw and I had a hankering for fried chicken and mashed potatoes ($16.95), so we dined on a Thursday evening. (The website lists other specials, which range from lobster rolls to prime rib. Weekend brunch is offered, in addition to the regular breakfast menu.)

The chicken was not what was expected. Rather than several pieces, two chicken breasts pounded thin were covered in gravy and hid the golden skin. Surprisingly, despite the large amount of pepper-speckled gravy, the crispy coating associated with fried chicken remained. The meat was tender and juicy; I had hoped for more variety, though, perhaps a combo of dark and white meats.

Mashers, also undercover of gravy, and al dente green beans completed the meal. This was a hearty serving. Even though it was not what I had in mind, the flavors hit the mark.

The menu is an eclectic blend of burgers, salads, Mexican fare, seafood and more. There is something for everyone, including the spectacular view, which encourages lingering and visiting with one’s dining companions.