Soul warming cuisine
By Veronica LeMaster Photos Rase Littlefield
If you’re not sure where to dine in tonight, you’ve come to the right place.
It’s true- the city of Eagle is home to many crave-able restaurants that offer even hotter cuisines. As temperatures continue to drop, we set out to beat those winter blues and find the hottest dishes relative to spice and temperature at our local favorites- some new and others established, but you’ll be sure to love them all.
And yes, they are scientifically proven to warm you up!
Blue Toro
Opened earlier this year, Blue Toro brings a modern twist on Mexican Cuisine. The fun and relaxed atmosphere sits at 600 S. Rivershore Lane, and is open for lunch and dinner service Monday through Saturday, with happy hours, daily specials, and Margarita Madness (or Wine-aritas) offered throughout the week.
Our fav: While Blue Toro offers several delicious Mexican dishes, a must-try is the Camarones Al Diablo (also known as shrimp of the devil). They start off with sautéing the shrimp in a fire-roasted tomato and garlic Habanero sauce while throwing in tomatoes, onions, and other spices to create a perfectly balanced hot dish. Laid over a bed of Spanish rice and fresh flour tortillas, you’ll be coming back for seconds (or even thirds!).
CACi Wood-Fired Grill
Italy for dinner, anyone? CACi focuses on rich culinary traditions of Sicily and southern Italy to create a classic Sicilian culinary experience. Using all-natural ingredients in their meals, sauces, pastas, doughs, each dish is sure to bring an eruption of flavor. Rush to 1592 E Riverside Dr for lunch or dinner Sunday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with happy hour daily from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Our fav: If you’re looking for a hot dish with a small kick, we recommend the Calabrian & Clams. Freshly steamed clams sit in a bed of white wine, garlic, lemon and Calabrian chili peppers in this antipasti dish. Served with a side of crostini, you’ll be dreaming of this meal even as the weather heats up.
Rice Contemporary Asian Cuisine
If you’re craving flavors from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, or India, Rice Contemporary Asian Cuisine is the place for you. This Asian fusion restaurant brings authentic, fresh ingredients to Eagle from the Far East to create a variety of tasteful food all under one roof. Open Monday through Saturday with lunch options from Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and daily happy hour specials from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Our fav: For temperature hot, one of our favorites from Rice is Vietnamese Pho Noodles. This delicious dish involves steamed rice noodles in tasty beef broth, bean sprouts and onion topped with thin tender sliced beef and garnished with green onion and cilantro, served with a side of fresh basil leaves, lime, jalapeño, and bean sprouts and served with a side of siracha spicy sauce and hoisin sauce to add the perfect kick.
Porterhouse Market
Since 2000, Porterhouse Market has been serving Eagle the freshest local ingredients with the perfect amount of creativity. Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (5 p.m. for sandwiches) you can find handcrafted specialty sandwiches, barbeque sandwiches, hand tossed salads, and freshly homemade soup at this meat market and deli. Find them at 600 S. Rivershore Ln for the perfect quick lunch or dinner.
Our fav: As the weather gets into those lower temps, we can’t help but crave a delicious bowl of hot soup to warm us up! A must-try for all Eagle residents is the Thai Chicken with Rice Soup made fresh at Porterhouse Market. They prepare the free-range chicken breast with a coconut milk base, portobello mushrooms, and bell peppers to create this richly flavored, lightly creamy soup. Served with a wedge of fresh bread, this dish is sure to have to you heating up in seconds.
Bodacious Pig Barbecue
Mouthwatering barbecue is the focus at this Eagle restaurant. Bodacious Pig is outstanding, bold and audacious (and they definitely live up to their name)! It has a casual hip atmosphere with deliciously messy food at an affordable price. What’s better than that? Sink your teeth into barbecue from Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 34 E State St.
Our fav: Try not to smile as you order this delicious hot dish- the Oink Oink Burger. A freshly ground brisket and sirloin blend sits in the middle of a baked brioche bun, with mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, lettuce, onion, and tomato. Pair it with a side of beans, coleslaw or crunchy french fries to make a yummy, and filling, hot lunch or dinner.
Grit American Cuisine
Focused on combining fresh ingredients while keeping affordability for guests, Grit offers Eagle a new take on classic dishes. Their menu, which changes based on what’s in demand, and what fresh foods are available seasonally, offers familiar dishes such as chicken pot pies, grilled-cheese sandwiches, and prime-grade rib eye with a fresh, local take. Visit for lunch or dinner from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at 360 S Eagle Rd.
Our fav: Known as a southern favorite, we couldn’t help but recommend the Chicken Fried Chicken from Grit’s mouthwatering menu. A beautifully cooked pearl sugar biscuit paired with spicy fried chicken and smothered in a tequila chorizo gravy, this dish is both hot in temperature and in spice- perfect to keep us warm throughout the winter.
Rembrandts
Rembrandts has the coolest hottest breakfast cuisine. The breakfast and lunch destination strive to create community and creativity in all they do. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., you can enjoy their beautiful interior and/or patio as you relax over an espresso, mimosa, or wine. Enjoy breakfast served all day along with delicious lunch items served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They even host private events and weddings (that’s how beautiful their interior is!) in the evenings to be more involved in the community. Visit them at 93 S. Eagle Rd to see for yourself!
Our fav: Nachos for breakfast? Yes, please! Rembrandts serves delicious hot Breakfast Nachos that will have you craving them every day of the week. They start with house-made tortilla chips that they pile with cotija cheese, scrambled eggs, black beans, and your choice of meat. Topped with pico de gallo, chipotle and cilantro lime crème, your taste buds will be on fire.
