There’s nothing like the view of Pikes Peak at sunset and Caddie’s at Valley Hi Golf Course offers an expansive vista no matter the time of day, but that might not be enough of an attraction.

The Menu

The bill of fare is just right for those who’ve played a round of golf or simply practiced at the driving range. There are starters to share with friends or a variety of options to reenergize from salads to sandwiches, from flatbreads to tacos and a few “specialty” items like salmon, pasta and steak, among a few others. Of course, there’s a full bar.

Critic’s Tip

Golf was not my reason for checking out Caddie’s, although I might have enjoyed the meal more if I’d hit a few balls before venturing into the dining room. It’s not that anything was bad, only that nothing was exceptional – except for the view and stellar service. If you’re not interested in hitting the links, this may not be the place for you.

On the Table

We started with chips, salsa and queso ($8). The menu indicated the tortilla chips were “house-made.” I beg to differ; they lacked the freshness associated with those made on the premises. The salsa was smoky, but it was the creamy, slightly piquant queso that kept me picking up otherwise disappointing chip after chip.

We settled on handhelds thinking they would be our most likely choices if we had actually been out on the greens. The prime Philly ($17) featured an abundant amount of thinly sliced prime rib. This, with sliced, grilled green peppers and onion, was slathered with melted cheddar stuffed in a hoagie bun. Unfortunately, the bread couldn’t hold up to the contents and quickly got soggy. Also, Sriracha aioli was listed as an ingredient, but difficult to detect.

It was, thankfully, a major component of the hot ‘n spicy chicken sandwich ($17). Panko-crusted fried chicken overhung the round brioche bun. This featured a lot of elements that made this a success, including bacon, pickled onions, sesame slaw and blueberry jam. The latter was lost in the other elements. The nutty, earthy flavor of the slaw was exceptional. The chicken was well cooked, but the bun fell apart well before the fillings were fully consumed.

Fries and sweet potato fries come with all sandwiches; for a $2 upcharge, onion rings or a house salad can be added. The sweet potato fries were oddly shaped: thick and long with ridges. The onion rings were crispy with sweet, tender insides.

The Venue

Besides the mountain views, the golf course is also part of the scenery thanks to the walls of windows, occasionally interrupted by televisions. The green color scheme is fitting. The space was loud and lively the evening of our visit, but that’s to be expected when reliving drives and putts with friends.

Afterthoughts

Our server was attentive and knew the menu well. I wondered out loud about the spice level of the chicken sandwich. She said it was more sweet than fiery, which was true. She routinely checked in on us without being invasive.

As previously noted, I suspect/hope I might appreciate a meal here more after a round of golf. Perhaps Caddie’s deserves a mulligan.

Know Before You Go

Caddie’s

Pub fare and more

Location: 610 S. Chelton Road 

Contact: 719-385-6918; caddiesatvalleyhi.com 

Prices: $6 to $23

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday

Details: Credit cards accepted. Alcohol. Wi-Fi. Outdoor seating.

Favorite dishes: Queso and hot ‘n spicy chicken sandwich.

Other: Limited gluten-free and vegan options.

El Paso County Health Department Inspection: No current information found; last inspection was December 2023 for Valley Hi Grill & Pub.