Blue Moon Over Summit County

Because your faithful reviewer was out of town on a recent business trip to Colorado, he was unable to file a report on any local Portland b-fast joints. So, here's a report from afar....

On a quick stop before we headed up for a hike atop Loveland Pass, our local guides (Tom & Corrie) directed us to the Blue Moon Bakery in Dillon/Silverthorne, Colorado. In a relatively non-descript stripmall in this mountain town lies the bakery. Its breakfast menu was succinct offering up a healthy variety of breakfast bagel sandwiches and breakfast burritos. Its atmosphere was deli all the way...direct/abrupt service at the counter. It was every man for themselves as the place was hopping with Sunday morning traffic.

The ordering was fast and efficient, and very do it yourself. Condiments? Pick 'em up at the condiment bar. Cutlery? Get it yourself. Buss your own table? You better or else. Service was on par with what you'd expect out of a mountain town. Employers are lucky just to get an employee to come off of the slopes long enough to clock in. Friendliness to the tourists is the last of their priorities. But, after three days back in the mountains, I had grown numb to this reality.

Food came fast and hot, keeping with the strategy of get 'em in, take their money and get the food to 'em quick so we can fit a few more tourists in before the season ends (and the stream of money along with it). These breakfast sandwiches were almost as good as Dave K's and the freshly baked boiled bagels were dense and chewy. Overall, it was the perfect pre-hike caloric jolt - carbs, protein and cheese!

We'll head back to the Blue Moon Bakery as soon as we're able - especially if our guides Tom and Corrie come along. For the companionship of these friends, we can only hope it won't be for another blue moon until we return.