303 Main Street, Lyons, CO

Website: Oskar Blues

Heidi’s Illustrious Rating: 4 (for the hamburgers)

My husband claims the burgers at Oskar Blues are the best he has tasted in years (he is a burger connoisseur). He has lunched there several times a week for over a month. Last week I decided to meet him for lunch. I made the thirty minute drive through green pastures dotted with black cows, brown horses, fancy new barns and ancient crumbling barns. I was headed west and even though it was day in late spring, the Rocky Mountains were covered with freshly fallen snow and glared white against a backdrop of pure blue. I had not been to Lyons in several years and was startled to see new housing developments in the outskirts of this formerly tiny town.   

Oskar Blues is situated in the south end of a strip mall located on the east side of downtown. The restaurant has two patios; one outside the bar and a second off the second story restaurant. A line of motorcycles, mostly Harleys, were parked in front when I pulled up. I accidentally entered through the bar, which has a large stage for Oskar Blues’ famous musical entertainment. They boast quite a line-up of bands every week (check out their Website’s music calendar). Not surprisingly, it’s mostly blues.

The restaurant is cheerful and the Colorado sunshine floods the space through windows on three sides. It was a little chilly on the patio so we moved inside the upstairs bar area. Log furnishings are mixed with colorful beads and funky, lively artwork; a sort of Jimmy Buffet meets the Rocky Mountains feel.

We opted for soda instead of beer, despite the fact Oskar Blues is home to the locally famous Dales Pale Ale and several other beers. Dales Pale Ale is a strong, malty beer and would pair delightfully with any Oskar Blues burger.

The menu has an array of interesting burgers to choose from. While Ryan is more of a cheeseburger kind of guy, I like all sorts of atypical burgers, especially if they have jalapenos, green chilies, guacamole or other mouth-burning (and sloppy) ingredients. I ordered the Satchmo Burger. It comes with pepper jack cheese, homemade salsa and guacamole. I cannot begin to describe the difficulties involved with eating the Satchmo - it is the kind of burger you pick up and cannot put down until it is all eaten or else it will fall apart into an unidentifiable and unappetizing pile. I ordered the Texas toothpicks instead of fries, a very good decision. These are battered and deep fried jalapenos and onion slices; a spicy variation on onion rings.

The juice running down my arms and sticky fingers were all worth it, though I think next time I’ll hold the salsa. It seems most restaurant hamburgers are overcooked, even if a medium was ordered. Burgers at Oskars are made to order and Ryan says he always gets a steaming hot, perfectly medium burger at Oskar Blues (a big reason he thinks they’re the best).

Service was fast and friendly. Our waitress recognized Ryan as one of her current regulars and it is always nice to be acknowledged as a frequent patron (it’s a Cheerssort of thing). I can’t wait to go back to Oskar Blues and enjoy a cold beer and juicy hamburger on the patio. An excellent source recently told me Oskar Blues has outstanding Cajun cuisine, so maybe next time it will be beer and shrimp creole or blackened redfish.

The town of Lyons has a sunny disposition and despite recent growth, people still smile when you pass on the sidewalk. Oskar Blues Cajun Grill & Brewery is definitely worth the drive to Lyons, Colorado.

Warning: the speed limit through Lyons is 25 mph and the area is patrolled aggressively.  

NOTE:  We’ve been to Oskar Blues many times since this review and it’s still the best.  This past weekend I had the Crazy Cajun Pizza.  Delish! 

You really can’t go wrong at  this establishment – good food – friendly, knowledgeable servers – great beer. 

Yum.