'Smart Meals' now at Beau Jo's Idaho Springs

February 28, 9:35 AMDenver Dining ExaminerStan Dyer

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Even this time of year, you can't beat the view.

Even though Lent has barely begun, I needed a break.  I won’t go into the details, but I knew it was time to climb in the Jeep and head to Idaho Springs.  Once I had the idea in my head, there was no changing my mind.  Colorado’s best pizza kept whispering in my ear, and, before I knew it, I was headed west on I-70.  Oh, I know I often sound like a broken record, but this really is a message that bears repeating.  The Beau Jo’s mini-vacation really works for me.  

I tried to tell an acquaintance about these Mountain Pies, and he claimed he “didn’t care for Beau Jo’s”, but, come to find out, he had never sampled the product in Idaho Springs.  I really wish I could say the various Beau Jo’s in town were just as good as the original shop, or even the same, but they are not.  In all fairness, it has been a while since I ventured into any of the shops in the Denver area or any of the newer stores around the state, but they have lost my confidence and I have become a snob  for Beau Jo’s Idaho Springs.  And, why not?

It has the rustic feel of days gone by.

For one thing, there’s the scenic drive to the restaurant.  Only the Evergreen location has a comparable experience.  The Colorado mountain view, the hills sprinkled with evergreens and snow, and the view of Clear Creek all combine to set the mood and get your appetite ready to dine.  Then, once you arrive in Idaho Springs, you find yourself in an old, rustic mining town with roots in Colorado history, but food as update and modern as any you can find anywhere. 
 

There it is.  The love of my life.

They have the best tasting whole wheat crust for the health conscious, and a more traditional honey wheat for those who prefer it “white”.  There is a variety of pizza sauces to choose from and a list of the most popular toppings.  They even have non-pizza choices for those who just do not care for pizza, or want something different just this time.  Their “all-inclusive” menu has options for all shapes and sizes including vegetarians, low-carbers, salad dieters, carnivores, and just about any type of taste, diet, allergy, or food need a person can have.  They even serve gluten free. 

 

A slice of heaven, and healthy too!

Now, my tastes are stuck on that five-pound, Veggie Combo on Whole Wheat, but this time, we went for something different.  We sampled the same product in the new “Smart Meal” category.  To qualify as a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment “Smart Meal”, an entree must contain no more than 30% calories from total fat, have reduced saturated fat, less salt than a standard entree, and include healthy ingredients such as whole grains, vegetables and fruits.  Now, after all that, you would expect the product to be devoid of taste, but we found no discernible taste difference between the regular Veggie Combo Mountain Pie on Whole Wheat and the same served as a “Smart Meal”.  I have to admit I was tempted to try the Smart Meal Tofu Pizza with tofu, artichoke hearts, spinach, roma tomatoes and black olives served either as a flat, “Prairie Pie”, or as the thick crust, “Mountain Pie”, but I talked myself out of it.  I knew what I came for, and that was the only thing that would make me happy that day.  Maybe some other time I will try that tofu pizza. 

Take the second exit off I-70.

The mini-vacation was a complete success.  I feel restored, renewed and ready to face life again.  I also received a 20% discount available to all.  Beau Jo’s cheerfully gives the discount to any and all who request it and can produce a AAA membership card.  Of course, there are downloadable $5 coupons on-line, but those are only good for other locations and not the Idaho Springs original.  With all that going for them, and a pizza at least two grades better than any other I have tasted in the state, Beau Jo’s Idaho Springs can look forward to seeing my smiling face on vacation for many years to come.