Longmont Restaurant Review: Deli Cioso

I went here years ago. I've been to both the big south location and the smaller north location, the south one is closed now. They've gone Italian over there.

I remember going to the big one with my mom. We had a communication issue about limes. We were given lemons instead. The service was poor and the food wasn't great.
I had a better experience at the north one with my dear departed co-reviewer Debita. It was better but still not amazing, apparently...since I never went back.

The newest location is just north of 3rd on Main St. where Racheli's Italian place used to be.
I think before that it was retail something but I can't remember. Main St. is ever changing.

So, it had been a while and the downtown one was new so I thought we could give it another chance.
For better or worse, some things never change.
I will never understand how this place is a "local favorite."

Jason got a machaca burrito, I got carnitas tacos.
He would have preferred a shredded beef burrito but this was as close as he could get. It was adaquate.
I ordered carnitas tacos, I said I didn't want a side of rice and beans, which I was given anyway.
The rice appears to be made with tomato soup. I don't get it. The beans were subpar but ok.
My real issue was the "carnitas." They were mushy. I've never had mushy carnitas. The taste wasn't awful but it wasn't really anything. It would have been ok in a burrito or something. Carnitas are carnitas because they're crispy. Otherwise, it's shredded pork.

My leftovers: 

VS 

My breakfast: leftovers after I threw them in the skillet and did them right. 

Looks crispy, right? 

NOW they're delicious. 

Jason didn't care for the setup. They bring your food but not your silverware.
The silverware (at least what they had when we were there) was metal forks but plastic knives. Weird.
The water, cups, silverware, and to-go-boxes are over in the corner. You order at the counter but you sit and they bring your food if you're staying in. Why not also bring silverware and water?
It's an odd in between of fast/take-out/casual/sit-down.
Great building and location, could be utilized better.

A red flag for us is always NO HORCHATA!? Uh oh. We should have known.
It was late, we were hungry, it got the job done I guess.

Atmosphere: It's a relatively small space and it was late when we went so it was nice and quiet. They had an awesome playlist! 
Service: Friendly, food came out quickly. (Maybe too quickly? I'd have happily given them a few more minutes to fry my carnitas.)
Price: We paid too much for what we got but there is a variety of options.
Food: Not outright bad, but not good. 
Lesson: Don't get the "Mexican" tacos at this not-so-Mexican place. It's Texmex at best. 
When you order tacos at a place claiming to be Mexican food and they ask if you want them "Mexican style" then just order something else.  
Going back: No, there's so many great places for better Mexican food here. 

Longmont Restaurant Review: Cyclehops

We visited Cyclehops "Bike Cantina" with friends last weekend. Not somewhere I'd pick on my own but I'd like to try everything we have here.
If you want to bike over, you'll fit right in. We just drove. They let us, and our carbon footprints, in anyway.

What they say: https://oskarbluesfooderies.com/cyclhops-bike-cantina/

"Oskar Blues’ passion for cycling (CYCL) and craft beer (HOPS) is the inspiration behind CYCLHOPS Bike CANtina. In addition to experimenting with new south-of-the-border savors, we wanted to create an original, cycling-inspired hangout that would complement the bike culture of Longmont and the Colorado Front Range. Not only does this full-service foodery dish up tacos, tequila and craft beer, but it’s also the official retail home for the Oskar Blues in-house bike brand, REEB Cycles."

What I say: I'm not a bicycle or beer enthusiast so that part doesn't do it for me BUT they do have a super wicked double bike thing up in the front that looks fun. It's nice and open, lots of windows all the way around, colorful, slightly noisy.
Jason was the only one that had a beer so he'd have to give input on that but it's an Oskar Blues branch so I assume they have all the OB stuff.

We were technically there for the brunch menu. Our friends both ordered some version of enchiladas, which both looked pretty tasty.
Jason ordered some kind of cheesy stuffed pepper with bacon. It was interesting. Definitely something experimental.
I ordered the Relleno Avocado with 2 eggs.
RELLENO AVOCADO:
CRISPY AVOCADO STUFFED WITH CHORIZO, ASADERO CHEESE+ ROASTED SALSA TOPPED WITH TWO EGGS, PICO + COTIJA CHEESE $12

It's literally a halved avocado with chorizo and all the rest on top, 2 eggs on the side.
It was definitely tasty and different. Chorizo and avocado is nice together. But I could have made it at home for a few bucks and had a lot more food. If you get it right you could buy 12 avocados for $12.

I will say that their chips were delicious. Thin and crispy, warm and salty. Yes.
So the moral here is to go for the chips and salsa and grab a beer while you're there.

Don't Drink and Bike.

Atmosphere: Peppy and bikey.
Service: Meh. Inattentive but not unpleasant.
Price: Excessive.
Food: Good but slim. Chips are delicious.
Lesson: I should have gotten the tacos.
Going back: Unlikely, but would return if someone else wanted to.