By Ciara Pack, reporter
There is a fabulous kitchen at Rampart Range campus if the hangries attack between classes, but the previously remote campus is now near a variety of food options close to the school for those who want to leave campus for awhile.
Whatever your budget, craving, or time frame, you can find food joints that will get you through your hungriest school days, ranked here from Worst to Best.
Cracker Barrel, 8355 Razorback Rd, 80920 – *
Although Cracker Barrel is only 4.3 miles away from campus with a drive time of 9 minutes, it is one eatery to avoid.
If you enjoy tight, crowded spaces when you eat your lunch, then you’ll love Cracker Barrel.
The restaurant is set up in the worst way possible for dining, and it feels like you’re constantly brushing elbows with the people sitting next to you.
The staff is always ready to help, when they know what’s going on themselves.
There were multiple times when several servers would wait on the same table, which caused confusion for the customers and the staff.
On the plus side, there is an enormous selection of comfort food to choose from, which spans three separate menus.
Once you have found the food you want, be prepared for slightly cold and burnt sides.
Their Double Meat Breakfast came with two sausage patties, three pieces of bacon, biscuits and gravy, and a side of eggs.
The eggs were cold when they were served, the biscuits and gravy had no flavor, and the bacon was burnt.
Cracker Barrel gets one star for bad service, cramped spaces, and cold food.
Steak n’ Shake, 1560 Briargate Blvd, 80920 – ***
The menu includes 16 different varieties of steakburgers to choose from, with different add-ons including jalapenos, cheese, guacamole, bacon, and onions.
Bonus: Steak n’ Shake’s steakburgers are around $6.00 and under.
The only downside to the diner is wait time and limited wait staff. But, you can download their app and order the food to pick it up to avoid waiting.
Steak n’ Shake is conveniently only 4.8 miles away and takes 9 minutes.
Jason’s Deli, 7455 Academy Blvd N, 80920 – ***
Known for their fluffy cloud-like chocolate mousse, Jason’s is a great place to stop for a quick bite to eat at an affordable price.
Jason’s is not only a classic deli, but they also offer a variety of healthy options too.
The menu includes some vegan and gluten-free choices like spinach deli wrap, nutty mixed-up salad, and organic blue corn tortilla chips.
For non-vegans the selection is much bigger. With soups, sandwiches, and an all you can eat salad bar, you can satisfy any cold cut craving.
Choice pick: the Beef Eater Sandwich, comes with a hearty portion of roast beef and provolone complete with a steaming cup of au jus on the side for just $6.99.
Staff is usually an arm’s length away always, so you never feel the need to awkwardly search for someone when you need help.
Jason’s Deli is only 4.7 miles from campus, with a drive time of 9 minutes.
Fuzzy’s Tacos, 1375 Interquest Pkwy, 80920 ****
Conveniently close to Rampart, Fuzzy’s is a Tex Mex taco shop that serves a vast selection of Mexican cuisine, from breakfast to dinner and everything in between.
Bonus: the handy buzzers let you know when your food is ready, and there are “to go” options as well.
Decorated with vibrant colors and quirky decals, this sports bar and grill seems to be matching its interior with its food.
Their Fajita Chicken Plate includes a colorful selection of add-ons: guacamole, lettuce, sour cream, cheese, pico de gallo, grilled peppers, and onions.
It is great for both a quick lunch in between classes, and a place to stop with family and friends.
Fuzzy’s burritos are filled to the brim with the insides are still steaming when served. They take two hands to hold!
All of the items on their menu are under $10.00.
Fuzzy’s Tacos is only 1.6 miles from campus, with a drive time of 6 minutes.
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, 1140 Interquest Pkwy, 80921 – *****
As one of the priciest restaurants near Rampart, Cheddar’s is well worth it.
From a multitude of salads to a variety of fish, soups, and sandwiches, Cheddar’s has got something for the whole family.
They have a whole section of combination platters where you can mix and match main courses.
The Steak and Chicken Tenders come out hot. The chicken tenders have a golden-brown breading on top and a tender white chicken inside. The steak comes out exactly how you ordered it.
This restaurant is better for after your last class, when you’re craving a big meal or when you and some classmates want to hang out at the bar.
(Sidenote: You can often find Rampart faculty hanging out in Cheddar’s too.)
It’s reasonably priced for the quality of food and atmosphere, with the most expensive dish being the combination steak and ribs at $16.49.
Cheddar’s is 6.2 miles, or roughly 10 minutes away.
