On our way home after hiking and sightseeing in the mountains we made a short bypass and stopped at Bruce's Bar. My brother-in-law had heard some good things about the rocky mountain oysters served here and wasn't letting me go home without at least trying one. I've had rocky mountain oysters before but it was so long ago that I couldn't really remember what they tasted like. Because of that, I couldn't turn down the offer to have them on this trip.
When we pulled into the parking lot I knew it was going to be worth it after seeing their off-site trailer with the words "Bruce's Nut Hut" emblazoned on the sides. Walking in I realized this is definitely a bar more for the locals. There's nothing fancy (except for maybe the new digital jukebox) about this bar. It's very casual and low-key with plenty of seating. We found a spot near the bar and our waitress came by immediately. We ordered a couple of beers, looked over the menu and decided quickly on our food. We weren't extremely hungry so ordered appetizers, chips & salsa and onion rings for my wife and sister while my brother-in-law and I ordered a plate of rocky mountain oysters, both buffalo and beef. We were hoping to try the turkey oysters as well but they were out.
The food came out quickly and we dove in. The onion rings were flavorful and not overly crispy. The salsa was thick but not too chunky and the chips were fresh, not something I expected at a bar. The rocky mountain oysters were sliced thinly and coated just enough with a breading to enhance the flavor a bit. Of the two flavors we ordered, I preferred the beef. The buffalo is a little gamier but still tasty. If you've never had rocky mountain oysters before expect it to be dry. Cocktail sauce is provided with the meal. Tabasco sauce and ketchup are also available on the table. I tried the oysters with all three available condiments and, as surprising at it sounds, they tasted best dipped in ketchup.
My favorite part of the experience was signing a dollar bill and having it added to the wall with the others that patrons have signed over the years. Our waitress, who was on top of things from beginning to end and extremely friendly, found a good spot for mine on one of the lower posts right next to the bar. Can't wait to come back sometime and enjoy some more delicious rocky mountain oysters and cold beer.
This a great place off the beaten path with a colorful history all it's own. Â I must say I do not go to Bruce"s for the notorious Rocky Mt. Oysters. Â I typically enjoy a buffalo burger, beer ,onion rings or fries and leave the Oysters for the rest of the crowd.
If you ride motorcycles and like to take the back roads or highway, Bruce's is a great stop for lunch or dinner no matter how you get there....
Buffalo Oysters were tastier than the regular Rocky Mt. Oysters, the texture was better, the RMO's were a bit chewy.
And it was pretty unanimous across the table that the mashed potatos were Yuck-O ; too much canned gravy, too much salt, and the texture overall was that they were flaked. Â I got a baked, I figure you can't do too much to a spud.
Prime rib  could have been a lot better. They couldn't seem to get the cooking order right: I asked for medium rare, it was more like medium. My husband's MR was more like WD, and our friend's medium was more like well-done.
Th side veggies were good, they even had yellow carrots== Pretty sophisticated for a po-townie bar.
Service was spotty. She was friendly enough, but she said she'd be back with horseradish for us...and wasn't. Â She did have a few friendly suggestions when we were ordering.
But I have to say, the Texas Toast was completely Yumm-o!
The Beer Battered Onion Rings stole the show tho', Â I'd come back just for those.
Heh, I started out giving this place 3 stars, but after re-reading this review, I think they deserve only 2.
I think all those other dudes giving this place 4 and 5 stars were just too impressed with themselves that they ate BALLS.
I went to school at UNC back in 1994-1997. My friend Doug introduced me to Bruce's back then, as we were on a budget. Â So, he found all kinds of 'All-u-can-eat' places. Â Bruce's had AYCE on Thursdays and Fridays.
At first I was hesitant, knowing what RMOs were. Â But they are delicious. We went quite a few times. Â I even went solo (since my girlfriend at the time refused to eat them, even though I told her there were burgers and steaks too.....what a prude b***).
Anyways, since I left Greeley, I can't find a place that serves RMO's. I went to a few places in Denver...eh.
Nowhere in Arizona. Â Used to be, but they stopped serving them.
Went back to Colorado this past Summer, and Bruce's was a MUST. Got Doug (he's still in Greeley, after all these years) his wife, and another couple to head out to Bruce's. Â I'm so happy they re-opened, and I tried 3 different kinds of RMO's. I liked the Cajun a lot. Â But you can never go wrong with original. Â The place was packed, so hopefully they'll be open for years to come. Â
I've never tried anything else on the menu, but I'm sure everything is excellent (seeing how it is in cow country) and fresh. Â Good that they have an outdoor patio area too. Â I don't remember that from back in the day.
I'm definitely making a trip back up there this upcoming Summer.
Bruce's is open again after a couple years of being closed due to the death of it's founder. Â Everything has been cleaned up, painted and is still serving great bar food (tasty burgers) and their world renowned Rocky Mountain Oysters. Â The onion rings are damn good too.
I've been coming here for years and was pretty disheartened when I heard they closed. Â After a phone call today to confirm they were open again, lunch was had and enjoyed. Â The crowd is pretty much the same - predominately (friendly) bikers and the people like myself who love to stop in now and again for my RMO fix.
I'm so happy.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
