The best restaurant in the world - in the hippie/diner category. I only eat the huevos rancheros so it's hard to review other things. I love coming here. I used to come in college, which was a hundred years ago. When I'm in Boulder, I still have to come here. No I'm not being nostalgic. I know my huevos and these are some of the best. Look at the picture! They have a wide selection of vegetarian food and I noticed a few things that were gluten free, including pancakes. Yum.
(5)
John D.
When my girlfriend and I entered the restaurant we were greeted by a friendly staff and a charming environment. I ordered a cheddar and salsa omelet with hash browns and a biscuit. My order was not the issue at all, my girlfriend however ordered three chocolate chip pancakes. When our food arrived it all looked great, but things soon changed when my girlfriend took her first bite. Her pancakes were undercooked. A somewhat crispy exterior with a sickening batter filled, uncooked interior. This wasn't a huge issue, we simply pointed it out and they went to go make another, no big deal. Right? WRONG. Instead of quickly fixing the mistake, it took an additional half an hour to reproduce another set of pancakes. So they waiter comes back out with another set of pancakes and what do we get? Another set of undercooked pancakes! Unbelievable! I brought the pancakes over to the waiter by the kitchen and pointed out how the inside of the pancakes were not cooked and batter was oozing out of the middle yet again! I got no apology as the waiter regretfully brought over the pancakes to the kitchen announcing that the customer thought they were undercooked. So we sit down for another dreadful 20 minutes waiting for the damn pancakes and yet again another group of undercooked pancakes comes out! It was so absurd! Do you guys not know how to make a pancakes? They're supposed to be cooked all the way through! We were not charged for the worlds worst pancakes, which was a fair gesture. We tipped and thanked them for the service and left to never return. Pros: Interesting environment, good biscuits and hash browns. Cons: Poor customer service due to a non efficient laid back staff.
(1)
Cody W.
Great breakfast, great price. I've been here at least 25 times and I always get the breakfast burrito Xmas style. NOTE: the location provided by yelp is incorrect. The real location is on university hill, the southwest corner of university and broadway
(4)
Amanda B.
The food at Dot's is to die for, and I love that they have tofu for us egg-haters! My only complaint is a server name Jocelyn, who may be the most annoying person on the planet. She seems to have no idea what ingredients are used in very common menu items, and she also comments on clients' food choices in an awkward way, interrogating them about whether their usual eating habits are "healthy" or not. Avoid her, order the breakfast burrito, and you're good to go.
(4)
Cody W.
I've been coming here for nearly 5 years. Dots is the best breakfast in Boulder, and the only breakfast place on the Hill. Portions are sized well, and nothing on the menu is more than $10 ! Try the breakfast burrito and Swiss sizzler!
(5)
Brenda L.
This breakfast spot is alright. I had toast, scrambled eggs and hash browns. Everything is pretty standard. It was good but not STUPENDOUS. There's not that many breakfast spots in this area so I think this might be as good as it gets for this area. The restaurant is very small and cozy. It feels like a lodge restaurant in a city like Mammoth. The bathroom is tiny as well.
(3)
Keith W.
I used to come to this cozy little cafe back when I was a CU student in the 80s - it was called Mother's Cafe then, and it was great, but excruciatingly slow. I've been to Dot's Diner three or four times, and the food has been delicious each time - yesterday I had the house breakfast - eggs, sausage, fried spuds, toast and lots of black coffee. While it wasn't extravagant or particularly special, it was a solid, hearty meal made just how I ordered it. My wife had a breakfast burrito with chorizo, my son had a stack of pancakes and three eggs, and his girlfriend had waffles. Everyone enjoyed their meals and was pleasantly full afterwards. But the service remains rather slow - it was rather quiet for an early Saturday afternoon and it still took close to 45 minutes for the food to arrive. A great place for a leisurely breakfast or lunch, definitely not a dine 'n dash kind of joint.
(4)
Jay F.
Just what you want from a diner. Good service, cheap eats. Their biscuits are the best I've ever had.
(5)
Albert O.
Great diner for price. The staff is always friendly and the food is always good. Perfect place for a starving grad student to get a big meal at a fair price.
(4)
Lucas P.
Great, chill little diner. I visited on Sunday morning and got the "two thirteen" combo which is two French toasts, three snausages and an egg any way you like it. The diner is well lived in and there was slow, old fashioned country music playing in the background. it was perfect. The food won't set you back much and they serve only cage-free eggs, which is awesome.
(5)
Liz S.
Dot's is the epitome of your greasy spoon diner in a college town. I ventured here all the time in college and it is always my go to breakfast spot when I come back into town. Although the service is slow and not exactly friendly, the food is great and the decor is standard Boulder. I've never gotten anything but the breakfast sandwich which comes on one of Dot's famous buttery biscuits topped with egg and avocado. It is just incredible. Dont wait for your waiter to come back so you can pay, once you get your bill you have to take it to the front register to cash out!
(4)
Meghan T.
We loved this cute little place. It was fun to sit at the bar and watch our food be made. We highly recommend the huevos rancheros and biscuits. It was a great way to kick off the day. Friendly and quick service!
(4)
Margaret C.
Of course the huevos were fabulous, as was the coffee. For a semi-crowdophobe like me, though, coming in late morning on a weekend was not such a good idea. Also, trying to use my laptop computer amid this crowdedness, is now ony a vague traumatic memory. I was impressed by the patience, kindness, and resilience of the cooks, waitpeople, and other staff here. Quite impressive. The overall atmosphere of this popular hill breakfast/lunch destination on late weekend morning was: clusterf--k. Not really anyone's fault, just the way it is. Next time I will go in around 2pm. That's when the nice lady at the register said a person like me could avoid the crowds. Good information for anyone else who's a crowd avoidant type like me. But too many of us could create a crowd. :o)
(4)
Amanda M.
The service was actually great- very attentive and nice. Huevos Rancheros was delicious. So were the chocolate chip pancakes. Nice presentation of the Hot Chocolate. We will definitely go back.
(4)
Chelsea M.
This place was so awesome. My bf and I were in Denver for the weekend and didn't have plans Sunday so decided to drive to Boulder. Breakfast is our thing and we were a little worried we wouldn't be able to find a place for breakfast food since it was 1pm. But there was Dot's! We saw a few people sitting outside and decided to try it- I'm so happy we did. It's such a cute quirky place. The staff were incredibly friendly. I ordered their Texas toast French toast with real Vermont syrup (extra $2 but worth it in my opinion) It came with sausage and an egg. The French toast was really good, but the star of the meal was my boyfriends eggs Benedict. This place made me a fan of that dish. Their hollandaise sauce was so creamy and the egg was perfectly poached, English muffin was crisp. It was just to die for, my mouth is watering thinking about it. One of the waitresses also had her cute dog at work with her and I'm a dog person and really enjoyed his company. Next time I'm in Boulder I will absolutely be back and would recommend to anyone who wants a laid back tasty breakfast!
(5)
Brian K.
Amazing. The hash browns and biscuits are incredible. Cage free eggs and vegetarian/vegan options galore. The price is great too. A must-stop for anyone coming through boulder.
(5)
Fred G.
Living in the San Francisco bay area for 30 years now, I just finished making a "Huevos Rancheros -Colorado Style" breakfast for my wife (of 26 years) and me. During our wonderful breakfast, the question arose: Does Dot's Diner still exist? And I am absolutely delighted to discover, via yelp, that it does! The year was 1980, and I was hitchhiking across the continent as an unemployed, college educated soul, in a raging recession. And Dot's Diner was a fun, cozy -and crowded cafe in an old converted gas station, on West Pearl Street. The customers were an eclectic, yet gregarious mix of hippies, professors, college students, and blue collar workers. Not fully understanding the menu, I asked a hippie, sitting next to me, what he was eating. Smiling, he freely explained that it was "... huevos rancheros: An experience more spiritual than metaphysical...". That settled it. A few minutes later, I was served up a full sized, piping hot huevos rancheros -with breakfast sausage and a cup of strong black coffee. The ranchera sauce was so strong that I literally cried through the entire breakfast. But I came out of the "experience" a true believer. But, while the San Francisco bay area is a culinary mecca, the only way I can get a proper huevos rancheros is to make it myself. Here's the recipe, for you nostalgic ex-Boulderphiles out there, who need an occasional "Huevos Rancheros -Dot's Diner Style" fix: Dot's Diner Legendary Huevos Rancheros - Lay a 8" or 9" diameter white flour tortilla (we now use multigrain) on an oven-proof dinner plate. - Smear a generous amount of vegetarian refried beans over the tortilla. - Place in a 300°F oven. - Fry one or two... or three eggs, over easy (Dot's Diner served these with three eggs). - Place egg(s) on the now warmed up refried beans/tortilla. - Turn the oven up to 425°F. - Cover eggs/refried beans with a generous amount of dark-red ranchera sauce. - Cover ranchera sauce with a generous amount of grated sharp cheddar cheese. - Place back in 425°F oven until grated cheese is fully melted. - Sometimes, after taking the huevos rancheros out of the oven, I dot the top with pieces of ripe Haas avocados. - Serve with links of breakfast sausage, and a cup of black coffee, medium roast, but brewed strong. Update: Another Dot's Diner customer contacted me, as she was unable to find a recipe for the ranchera sauce. I just simply buy a 7-ounce can of Herdez Salsa Ranchera, off the shelf. But one may only be able to find it at your local Hispanic grocery store, as it's made in Mexico. It tastes about the same as Dot's Diner, as I remember. But if it's too spicy-hot for you, just substitute your favorite salsa instead, as that's exactly what I do for my wife's huevos rancheros. Enjoy!
(5)
Tiffany N.
Dot's is surprisingly healthy for a diner, serving cage free eggs and organic coffee among other good-for-you items. They also serve really, really good biscuits and gravy. I mean really good. The diner itself seems pretty old and kind of dirty. If you're a germ-a-phobe I'd bet my last dollar that you would be a little freaked out about eating here. I however have always lived by the creed of whatever doesn't kill me just gives me a stronger stomach so I had no qualms about eating here. Also, did I mention how good the biscuits and gravy were? I might be tempted to eat this dish while sitting on a city street sidewalk. The service is a bit lackadaisical, but very friendly. And the place is pretty inexpensive.
(4)
Lauren A.
Dot's Diner is always one of my favorite places (especially with a hangover). Before I went gluten and dairy free, I frequented this place. Everything is perfectly portioned, greasy (in a good way) and has that home-made (and made with love) type flavor to it. After I went gluten free, I was sad that I'd have to give up my favorite dish, and made an off-hand comment on how much I'd miss it. The waitress overheard me and told me right away, without a drop of hesitation, that she can have it made on gluten free bread, without cheese or butter, and with bacon thrown on to make up for the lack of other ingredients. It tasted wonderful, she double-checked an ingredient for me just per my request, and everything was superb. As far as environment, sure, it may not be super trendy or "modern", but that's what these "mom and pop" type diners are known for... You have a good combination of what seems to be regulars here, a family environment, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and a great feel overall. Now Dot's has two locations and I couldn't be happier.
(4)
Jim C.
This was hands down the best breakfast I had on my honeymoon roadtrip across the country. We had all your standard breakfast fare: bacon, eggs, pancakes, coffee, toast, etc. Everything tasted amazing. Nothing was unique or creative, it's just your standard diner food, but it was some of the best tasting diner food I've had. The staff were also super friendly. We came in pretty close to closing but they were happy to serve us with no rush or anything. Very laid back. Just what we needed. Next time I'm in Boulder this will be my breakfast spot without a doubt.
(5)
K J.
Went on Christmas day, one of the few places open. Had Farmer's eggs and a Breakfast Burrito. Portions are extremely generous, bisquit was excellent! Definitely worth returning,
(4)
A S.
My friend and I tried this place on a whim, and I'm glad we did! The ambiance is fun, and the food fantastic! I started with chai, which comes in a big glass, and is house-made. It had a good flavor, and hit the spot. I then ordered a breakfast that included 2 eggs, hash browns, bacon, and a huge, delicious biscuit with raspberry jam. Everything was hot, fresh, and not at all greasy for a diner! A huge plus that they use cage free eggs. The server was busy, but took the time to chat with us, and was helpful in answering questions. I will definitely be back to this location! Just make sure you go to the Dot's on the Hill...the other Dot's on 28th was dirty, and did not even come close!
(4)
Taylor D.
If there's a breakfast burrito on the menu, it's game over for me. Dot's menu had just what I wanted. And the breakfast burrito came with lots of options! Black or refried beans? Wheat or white tortilla? Green chili or red salsa? Easy questions for a seasoned breakfast burrito eater: refried, wheat, and green chili. Duh. The ambiance was just what I needed after a night out. Dark, quiet, and full of breakfast odors. Although I would go back, I would choose a Slavaggio's sandwich over a Dot's burrito any day.
(3)
Mike M.
Huge, tasty biscuit and gravy. Mmmmm. Love the diner atmosphere.
(4)
Julie A.
When I stopped by Dot's, it just happened to be on a day where the power in half of the building went out. This meant no AC and no Credit Cards. And they ran out of coffee. But despite these things, I still enjoyed my breakfast at Dot's and look forward to going back to try the other things I didn't get a chance to try. We sat at the bar and watched, mesmerized, as the short order cook prepared the meals while we waited for our breakfast burrito that my boyfriend and I had to split, due to the fact that we didn't have much cash on us. It was a black bean breakfast burrito that had tofu and veggie sausage in it and was smothered in chili and cheese and bubbling hot. The tofu didn't seem to be too exciting, so I'd recommend the veggie sausage instead. Well, I hear that the biscuits and gravy are divine here, so I'll have to go back again soon. If you are a vegetarian, be sure to specify that you want the vegetarian gravy, or you might not be too happy when your meal shows up.
(4)
Dustin G.
Dot's is one of those diners which is acutely aware of its diner image, and that's good. If you are a diner and you try to be a steakhouse, well...it just gets plain messy dealing with all the neurotic psychological issues. But in any case, Dot's has the smallish booths, the condiment and sugar racks and intimate tables down. What was somewhat strange however was that when I entered I felt like I had been transported into the 1970's: the wood walls were lined with psychedelic paintings and photos, and the server looked like he was a roadie for the Grateful Dead. He was stoned off of his gourd, which didn't stop him from being a contentious server (to all you stoners out there: if you function at your job and in society, I really don't care if you are stoned in public. In fact, you probably will be calmer and easier to deal with. All I'm saying is that Febreeze works wonders).. In any case, the options were somewhat limited, and even though they had vegetarian and vegan sides, the main meals were almost exclusively meat based, which is weird - usually breakfast places are a safe haven for vegetarians. So I had a good first impression of the place which was quickly dashed once the food arrived: it was of a smallish and somewhat bland affair. I liked most of the things about Dot's except what matters most so I am giving it a 3/5 since I am being generous. A 2/5 might be more appropriate.
(3)
D W.
BEST BREAKFAST IN THE ROCKIES. I have been coming to Dots for many many years and the food is always excellent. I always order the Huevos Rancheros with a biscuit. This is always hot and delicious. The coffee is also quite good. I like the atmosphere, and the people who work there are very friendly. If you want to eat really good food, at fair prices, in a cool atmosphere, then go to Dots.
(5)
Merrilee T.
The last time I was at Dot's was 10 years ago. 10 years! It's comforting to see that not much has changed. I got the Farmer's eggs with hash browns. The hash browns are flat sliced potatoes loaded with pepper, and not too greasy. The eggs had so much cheddar melted inside I couldn't finish them (a good thing in my opinion), and I substituted vegan sausage for ham. The vegan sausage is way better at Walnut cafe, but I appreciate what Dot's has to offer. Super young waitress, obviously the clientele is young too, but as long as you know what you're getting into, you'll be happy. Good for hangovers, standard breakfast stuff, not the cleanest place I've eaten at, and a lot more expensive than it was 10 years ago. Still tasty.
(4)
Robert A.
Between my room and Dot's Diner, there are merely miles. And yet... she's so much farther away from me. A.m. sandwich, my love It only takes four words to write: A.m. sandwich, my love. I took the shortest way.
(5)
Cayla G.
Love their bisquits! Don't forget to try one. If you're not counting calories try a milkshake. They're super thick and rich, definitely sharing-friendly.
(4)
Thighmaster M.
Dot's on 28th is fine, if it were all we had I'd be grateful - BUT the one on the hill tops it by a STAR - Freddie and his gang got the food dialed-in another notch. UPDATE: 9/2008 heard Nate is at the helm over the grill, way to go Nate - bet the grits are amazing. Just be safe on your hawg.
(5)
Uncle Fishbits Aeneas X.
The bomb breakfast joint. I don't have to say a damn thing. The only reason I cannot give the 5 star love is the size, and the fact that the village coffee shop is the greatest coffee shop in Boulder. But if you are near, go here my dear... Dot's is a Boulder Hill Staple. How long has it been open? sheesh. Well done.
(4)
Bryan A.
Great classic diner feel with a hippie vibe. :) Best buttermilk biscuit I have ever had. If I had known how big and how good, that would have been all I ordered. You find yourself in Boulder looking for breakfast you should hit Dots.
(4)
Vince D.
Both Dot's are great, but I prefer this one for the atmosphere and location. Plus, my girlfriend lives only a few blocks away, so it's a great place for us to walk to in the morning for some grub. My favorite memories of this place are of drinking a big pot of mate before catching the Skip out front to go to work. Good times.
(5)
Alicia J.
Sitting at Dot's on a summer Boulder morning with a cup of crap coffee and the Colorado Daily crossword is amazing. The staff here are age old and ridiculously friendly (they will even assist in the crossword completion if you are nice). Damn good biscuits and I love the jam in a ketchup container. The Farmer's Eggs with avocado are great and the Arnold's Eggs with delicious gravy offer a good substitute.
(4)
Dustin C.
darn good food, plenty of it, and they have chocolate strawberry waffles...
(4)
Diane D.
I love this place! But I got stuck on one menu item- the AM sandwich. So, I don't know what anything else is like... but everyone I have ever eaten here with throughly enjoyed what they ordered. Back to the AM Sandwich- it sounds so simple. It's a homemade biscuit, with egg, cheese and avocado. But I have tried to recreate it at home and elsewhere with no success. It may be the grill they're using... the accumulation of many flavors adding to every other. Don't think about it too much. I wouldn't go there every day (only because it would be bad for my health- I'm sure)... although before I moved from Boulder I went there every day those last two tastey weeks. I've recovered just fine.
(4)
Katie P.
Hands down favorite breakfast place. Simple, tried and true menu with many healthy options. I love the atmosphere at this Dot's in particular. Don;'t like the flourescent lighting and industrialness (word?) of the 28th street one. This one has a better vibe for those cold winter mornings when I really needed a hot breakfast. Cozy and warm, nice lighting, art on the walls. Exactly what I wanted when I lived on the Hill in college. Maybe my 5 star rating is biased by nostalgia, but if so only slightly. This is a good place. Always ordered the french toast with a cup of hot chocolate. The french toast was just the right thickness and consistency (not too dry, not too moist, dense but fluffy at the same time, don't know how they pulled that off). The food that I've tried off my friends' plates was also great. Never had a bite of anything that I didn't tell myself I'd order someday (even though I always just went for the comfort of the french toast). Nothing I sampled was ever greasy. And while I left feeling totally full and satisfied, I never felt bad about myself after eating there. More than I can say for most diners. I miss you, Dot's!
(5)
Margot L.
Altho I prefer the other Dot's, this place has a real Boulder feel that is impossible to imitate anywhere else. Biscuits, Huevos, the Swiss Sizzler, you can't go wrong at Dot's. The consistency on the weekends is not as good at this location but I like the dark wood hovel that is Dot's on the hill as it is and would never want to change it.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
Modemme X.
The best restaurant in the world - in the hippie/diner category. I only eat the huevos rancheros so it's hard to review other things. I love coming here. I used to come in college, which was a hundred years ago. When I'm in Boulder, I still have to come here. No I'm not being nostalgic. I know my huevos and these are some of the best. Look at the picture! They have a wide selection of vegetarian food and I noticed a few things that were gluten free, including pancakes. Yum.
(5)John D.
When my girlfriend and I entered the restaurant we were greeted by a friendly staff and a charming environment. I ordered a cheddar and salsa omelet with hash browns and a biscuit. My order was not the issue at all, my girlfriend however ordered three chocolate chip pancakes. When our food arrived it all looked great, but things soon changed when my girlfriend took her first bite. Her pancakes were undercooked. A somewhat crispy exterior with a sickening batter filled, uncooked interior. This wasn't a huge issue, we simply pointed it out and they went to go make another, no big deal. Right? WRONG. Instead of quickly fixing the mistake, it took an additional half an hour to reproduce another set of pancakes. So they waiter comes back out with another set of pancakes and what do we get? Another set of undercooked pancakes! Unbelievable! I brought the pancakes over to the waiter by the kitchen and pointed out how the inside of the pancakes were not cooked and batter was oozing out of the middle yet again! I got no apology as the waiter regretfully brought over the pancakes to the kitchen announcing that the customer thought they were undercooked. So we sit down for another dreadful 20 minutes waiting for the damn pancakes and yet again another group of undercooked pancakes comes out! It was so absurd! Do you guys not know how to make a pancakes? They're supposed to be cooked all the way through! We were not charged for the worlds worst pancakes, which was a fair gesture. We tipped and thanked them for the service and left to never return. Pros: Interesting environment, good biscuits and hash browns. Cons: Poor customer service due to a non efficient laid back staff.
(1)Cody W.
Great breakfast, great price. I've been here at least 25 times and I always get the breakfast burrito Xmas style. NOTE: the location provided by yelp is incorrect. The real location is on university hill, the southwest corner of university and broadway
(4)Amanda B.
The food at Dot's is to die for, and I love that they have tofu for us egg-haters! My only complaint is a server name Jocelyn, who may be the most annoying person on the planet. She seems to have no idea what ingredients are used in very common menu items, and she also comments on clients' food choices in an awkward way, interrogating them about whether their usual eating habits are "healthy" or not. Avoid her, order the breakfast burrito, and you're good to go.
(4)Cody W.
I've been coming here for nearly 5 years. Dots is the best breakfast in Boulder, and the only breakfast place on the Hill. Portions are sized well, and nothing on the menu is more than $10 ! Try the breakfast burrito and Swiss sizzler!
(5)Brenda L.
This breakfast spot is alright. I had toast, scrambled eggs and hash browns. Everything is pretty standard. It was good but not STUPENDOUS. There's not that many breakfast spots in this area so I think this might be as good as it gets for this area. The restaurant is very small and cozy. It feels like a lodge restaurant in a city like Mammoth. The bathroom is tiny as well.
(3)Keith W.
I used to come to this cozy little cafe back when I was a CU student in the 80s - it was called Mother's Cafe then, and it was great, but excruciatingly slow. I've been to Dot's Diner three or four times, and the food has been delicious each time - yesterday I had the house breakfast - eggs, sausage, fried spuds, toast and lots of black coffee. While it wasn't extravagant or particularly special, it was a solid, hearty meal made just how I ordered it. My wife had a breakfast burrito with chorizo, my son had a stack of pancakes and three eggs, and his girlfriend had waffles. Everyone enjoyed their meals and was pleasantly full afterwards. But the service remains rather slow - it was rather quiet for an early Saturday afternoon and it still took close to 45 minutes for the food to arrive. A great place for a leisurely breakfast or lunch, definitely not a dine 'n dash kind of joint.
(4)Jay F.
Just what you want from a diner. Good service, cheap eats. Their biscuits are the best I've ever had.
(5)Albert O.
Great diner for price. The staff is always friendly and the food is always good. Perfect place for a starving grad student to get a big meal at a fair price.
(4)Lucas P.
Great, chill little diner. I visited on Sunday morning and got the "two thirteen" combo which is two French toasts, three snausages and an egg any way you like it. The diner is well lived in and there was slow, old fashioned country music playing in the background. it was perfect. The food won't set you back much and they serve only cage-free eggs, which is awesome.
(5)Liz S.
Dot's is the epitome of your greasy spoon diner in a college town. I ventured here all the time in college and it is always my go to breakfast spot when I come back into town. Although the service is slow and not exactly friendly, the food is great and the decor is standard Boulder. I've never gotten anything but the breakfast sandwich which comes on one of Dot's famous buttery biscuits topped with egg and avocado. It is just incredible. Dont wait for your waiter to come back so you can pay, once you get your bill you have to take it to the front register to cash out!
(4)Meghan T.
We loved this cute little place. It was fun to sit at the bar and watch our food be made. We highly recommend the huevos rancheros and biscuits. It was a great way to kick off the day. Friendly and quick service!
(4)Margaret C.
Of course the huevos were fabulous, as was the coffee. For a semi-crowdophobe like me, though, coming in late morning on a weekend was not such a good idea. Also, trying to use my laptop computer amid this crowdedness, is now ony a vague traumatic memory. I was impressed by the patience, kindness, and resilience of the cooks, waitpeople, and other staff here. Quite impressive. The overall atmosphere of this popular hill breakfast/lunch destination on late weekend morning was: clusterf--k. Not really anyone's fault, just the way it is. Next time I will go in around 2pm. That's when the nice lady at the register said a person like me could avoid the crowds. Good information for anyone else who's a crowd avoidant type like me. But too many of us could create a crowd. :o)
(4)Amanda M.
The service was actually great- very attentive and nice. Huevos Rancheros was delicious. So were the chocolate chip pancakes. Nice presentation of the Hot Chocolate. We will definitely go back.
(4)Chelsea M.
This place was so awesome. My bf and I were in Denver for the weekend and didn't have plans Sunday so decided to drive to Boulder. Breakfast is our thing and we were a little worried we wouldn't be able to find a place for breakfast food since it was 1pm. But there was Dot's! We saw a few people sitting outside and decided to try it- I'm so happy we did. It's such a cute quirky place. The staff were incredibly friendly. I ordered their Texas toast French toast with real Vermont syrup (extra $2 but worth it in my opinion) It came with sausage and an egg. The French toast was really good, but the star of the meal was my boyfriends eggs Benedict. This place made me a fan of that dish. Their hollandaise sauce was so creamy and the egg was perfectly poached, English muffin was crisp. It was just to die for, my mouth is watering thinking about it. One of the waitresses also had her cute dog at work with her and I'm a dog person and really enjoyed his company. Next time I'm in Boulder I will absolutely be back and would recommend to anyone who wants a laid back tasty breakfast!
(5)Brian K.
Amazing. The hash browns and biscuits are incredible. Cage free eggs and vegetarian/vegan options galore. The price is great too. A must-stop for anyone coming through boulder.
(5)Fred G.
Living in the San Francisco bay area for 30 years now, I just finished making a "Huevos Rancheros -Colorado Style" breakfast for my wife (of 26 years) and me. During our wonderful breakfast, the question arose: Does Dot's Diner still exist? And I am absolutely delighted to discover, via yelp, that it does! The year was 1980, and I was hitchhiking across the continent as an unemployed, college educated soul, in a raging recession. And Dot's Diner was a fun, cozy -and crowded cafe in an old converted gas station, on West Pearl Street. The customers were an eclectic, yet gregarious mix of hippies, professors, college students, and blue collar workers. Not fully understanding the menu, I asked a hippie, sitting next to me, what he was eating. Smiling, he freely explained that it was "... huevos rancheros: An experience more spiritual than metaphysical...". That settled it. A few minutes later, I was served up a full sized, piping hot huevos rancheros -with breakfast sausage and a cup of strong black coffee. The ranchera sauce was so strong that I literally cried through the entire breakfast. But I came out of the "experience" a true believer. But, while the San Francisco bay area is a culinary mecca, the only way I can get a proper huevos rancheros is to make it myself. Here's the recipe, for you nostalgic ex-Boulderphiles out there, who need an occasional "Huevos Rancheros -Dot's Diner Style" fix: Dot's Diner Legendary Huevos Rancheros - Lay a 8" or 9" diameter white flour tortilla (we now use multigrain) on an oven-proof dinner plate. - Smear a generous amount of vegetarian refried beans over the tortilla. - Place in a 300°F oven. - Fry one or two... or three eggs, over easy (Dot's Diner served these with three eggs). - Place egg(s) on the now warmed up refried beans/tortilla. - Turn the oven up to 425°F. - Cover eggs/refried beans with a generous amount of dark-red ranchera sauce. - Cover ranchera sauce with a generous amount of grated sharp cheddar cheese. - Place back in 425°F oven until grated cheese is fully melted. - Sometimes, after taking the huevos rancheros out of the oven, I dot the top with pieces of ripe Haas avocados. - Serve with links of breakfast sausage, and a cup of black coffee, medium roast, but brewed strong. Update: Another Dot's Diner customer contacted me, as she was unable to find a recipe for the ranchera sauce. I just simply buy a 7-ounce can of Herdez Salsa Ranchera, off the shelf. But one may only be able to find it at your local Hispanic grocery store, as it's made in Mexico. It tastes about the same as Dot's Diner, as I remember. But if it's too spicy-hot for you, just substitute your favorite salsa instead, as that's exactly what I do for my wife's huevos rancheros. Enjoy!
(5)Tiffany N.
Dot's is surprisingly healthy for a diner, serving cage free eggs and organic coffee among other good-for-you items. They also serve really, really good biscuits and gravy. I mean really good. The diner itself seems pretty old and kind of dirty. If you're a germ-a-phobe I'd bet my last dollar that you would be a little freaked out about eating here. I however have always lived by the creed of whatever doesn't kill me just gives me a stronger stomach so I had no qualms about eating here. Also, did I mention how good the biscuits and gravy were? I might be tempted to eat this dish while sitting on a city street sidewalk. The service is a bit lackadaisical, but very friendly. And the place is pretty inexpensive.
(4)Lauren A.
Dot's Diner is always one of my favorite places (especially with a hangover). Before I went gluten and dairy free, I frequented this place. Everything is perfectly portioned, greasy (in a good way) and has that home-made (and made with love) type flavor to it. After I went gluten free, I was sad that I'd have to give up my favorite dish, and made an off-hand comment on how much I'd miss it. The waitress overheard me and told me right away, without a drop of hesitation, that she can have it made on gluten free bread, without cheese or butter, and with bacon thrown on to make up for the lack of other ingredients. It tasted wonderful, she double-checked an ingredient for me just per my request, and everything was superb. As far as environment, sure, it may not be super trendy or "modern", but that's what these "mom and pop" type diners are known for... You have a good combination of what seems to be regulars here, a family environment, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and a great feel overall. Now Dot's has two locations and I couldn't be happier.
(4)Jim C.
This was hands down the best breakfast I had on my honeymoon roadtrip across the country. We had all your standard breakfast fare: bacon, eggs, pancakes, coffee, toast, etc. Everything tasted amazing. Nothing was unique or creative, it's just your standard diner food, but it was some of the best tasting diner food I've had. The staff were also super friendly. We came in pretty close to closing but they were happy to serve us with no rush or anything. Very laid back. Just what we needed. Next time I'm in Boulder this will be my breakfast spot without a doubt.
(5)K J.
Went on Christmas day, one of the few places open. Had Farmer's eggs and a Breakfast Burrito. Portions are extremely generous, bisquit was excellent! Definitely worth returning,
(4)A S.
My friend and I tried this place on a whim, and I'm glad we did! The ambiance is fun, and the food fantastic! I started with chai, which comes in a big glass, and is house-made. It had a good flavor, and hit the spot. I then ordered a breakfast that included 2 eggs, hash browns, bacon, and a huge, delicious biscuit with raspberry jam. Everything was hot, fresh, and not at all greasy for a diner! A huge plus that they use cage free eggs. The server was busy, but took the time to chat with us, and was helpful in answering questions. I will definitely be back to this location! Just make sure you go to the Dot's on the Hill...the other Dot's on 28th was dirty, and did not even come close!
(4)Taylor D.
If there's a breakfast burrito on the menu, it's game over for me. Dot's menu had just what I wanted. And the breakfast burrito came with lots of options! Black or refried beans? Wheat or white tortilla? Green chili or red salsa? Easy questions for a seasoned breakfast burrito eater: refried, wheat, and green chili. Duh. The ambiance was just what I needed after a night out. Dark, quiet, and full of breakfast odors. Although I would go back, I would choose a Slavaggio's sandwich over a Dot's burrito any day.
(3)Mike M.
Huge, tasty biscuit and gravy. Mmmmm. Love the diner atmosphere.
(4)Julie A.
When I stopped by Dot's, it just happened to be on a day where the power in half of the building went out. This meant no AC and no Credit Cards. And they ran out of coffee. But despite these things, I still enjoyed my breakfast at Dot's and look forward to going back to try the other things I didn't get a chance to try. We sat at the bar and watched, mesmerized, as the short order cook prepared the meals while we waited for our breakfast burrito that my boyfriend and I had to split, due to the fact that we didn't have much cash on us. It was a black bean breakfast burrito that had tofu and veggie sausage in it and was smothered in chili and cheese and bubbling hot. The tofu didn't seem to be too exciting, so I'd recommend the veggie sausage instead. Well, I hear that the biscuits and gravy are divine here, so I'll have to go back again soon. If you are a vegetarian, be sure to specify that you want the vegetarian gravy, or you might not be too happy when your meal shows up.
(4)Dustin G.
Dot's is one of those diners which is acutely aware of its diner image, and that's good. If you are a diner and you try to be a steakhouse, well...it just gets plain messy dealing with all the neurotic psychological issues. But in any case, Dot's has the smallish booths, the condiment and sugar racks and intimate tables down. What was somewhat strange however was that when I entered I felt like I had been transported into the 1970's: the wood walls were lined with psychedelic paintings and photos, and the server looked like he was a roadie for the Grateful Dead. He was stoned off of his gourd, which didn't stop him from being a contentious server (to all you stoners out there: if you function at your job and in society, I really don't care if you are stoned in public. In fact, you probably will be calmer and easier to deal with. All I'm saying is that Febreeze works wonders).. In any case, the options were somewhat limited, and even though they had vegetarian and vegan sides, the main meals were almost exclusively meat based, which is weird - usually breakfast places are a safe haven for vegetarians. So I had a good first impression of the place which was quickly dashed once the food arrived: it was of a smallish and somewhat bland affair. I liked most of the things about Dot's except what matters most so I am giving it a 3/5 since I am being generous. A 2/5 might be more appropriate.
(3)D W.
BEST BREAKFAST IN THE ROCKIES. I have been coming to Dots for many many years and the food is always excellent. I always order the Huevos Rancheros with a biscuit. This is always hot and delicious. The coffee is also quite good. I like the atmosphere, and the people who work there are very friendly. If you want to eat really good food, at fair prices, in a cool atmosphere, then go to Dots.
(5)Merrilee T.
The last time I was at Dot's was 10 years ago. 10 years! It's comforting to see that not much has changed. I got the Farmer's eggs with hash browns. The hash browns are flat sliced potatoes loaded with pepper, and not too greasy. The eggs had so much cheddar melted inside I couldn't finish them (a good thing in my opinion), and I substituted vegan sausage for ham. The vegan sausage is way better at Walnut cafe, but I appreciate what Dot's has to offer. Super young waitress, obviously the clientele is young too, but as long as you know what you're getting into, you'll be happy. Good for hangovers, standard breakfast stuff, not the cleanest place I've eaten at, and a lot more expensive than it was 10 years ago. Still tasty.
(4)Robert A.
Between my room and Dot's Diner, there are merely miles. And yet... she's so much farther away from me. A.m. sandwich, my love It only takes four words to write: A.m. sandwich, my love. I took the shortest way.
(5)Cayla G.
Love their bisquits! Don't forget to try one. If you're not counting calories try a milkshake. They're super thick and rich, definitely sharing-friendly.
(4)Thighmaster M.
Dot's on 28th is fine, if it were all we had I'd be grateful - BUT the one on the hill tops it by a STAR - Freddie and his gang got the food dialed-in another notch. UPDATE: 9/2008 heard Nate is at the helm over the grill, way to go Nate - bet the grits are amazing. Just be safe on your hawg.
(5)Uncle Fishbits Aeneas X.
The bomb breakfast joint. I don't have to say a damn thing. The only reason I cannot give the 5 star love is the size, and the fact that the village coffee shop is the greatest coffee shop in Boulder. But if you are near, go here my dear... Dot's is a Boulder Hill Staple. How long has it been open? sheesh. Well done.
(4)Bryan A.
Great classic diner feel with a hippie vibe. :) Best buttermilk biscuit I have ever had. If I had known how big and how good, that would have been all I ordered. You find yourself in Boulder looking for breakfast you should hit Dots.
(4)Vince D.
Both Dot's are great, but I prefer this one for the atmosphere and location. Plus, my girlfriend lives only a few blocks away, so it's a great place for us to walk to in the morning for some grub. My favorite memories of this place are of drinking a big pot of mate before catching the Skip out front to go to work. Good times.
(5)Alicia J.
Sitting at Dot's on a summer Boulder morning with a cup of crap coffee and the Colorado Daily crossword is amazing. The staff here are age old and ridiculously friendly (they will even assist in the crossword completion if you are nice). Damn good biscuits and I love the jam in a ketchup container. The Farmer's Eggs with avocado are great and the Arnold's Eggs with delicious gravy offer a good substitute.
(4)Dustin C.
darn good food, plenty of it, and they have chocolate strawberry waffles...
(4)Diane D.
I love this place! But I got stuck on one menu item- the AM sandwich. So, I don't know what anything else is like... but everyone I have ever eaten here with throughly enjoyed what they ordered. Back to the AM Sandwich- it sounds so simple. It's a homemade biscuit, with egg, cheese and avocado. But I have tried to recreate it at home and elsewhere with no success. It may be the grill they're using... the accumulation of many flavors adding to every other. Don't think about it too much. I wouldn't go there every day (only because it would be bad for my health- I'm sure)... although before I moved from Boulder I went there every day those last two tastey weeks. I've recovered just fine.
(4)Katie P.
Hands down favorite breakfast place. Simple, tried and true menu with many healthy options. I love the atmosphere at this Dot's in particular. Don;'t like the flourescent lighting and industrialness (word?) of the 28th street one. This one has a better vibe for those cold winter mornings when I really needed a hot breakfast. Cozy and warm, nice lighting, art on the walls. Exactly what I wanted when I lived on the Hill in college. Maybe my 5 star rating is biased by nostalgia, but if so only slightly. This is a good place. Always ordered the french toast with a cup of hot chocolate. The french toast was just the right thickness and consistency (not too dry, not too moist, dense but fluffy at the same time, don't know how they pulled that off). The food that I've tried off my friends' plates was also great. Never had a bite of anything that I didn't tell myself I'd order someday (even though I always just went for the comfort of the french toast). Nothing I sampled was ever greasy. And while I left feeling totally full and satisfied, I never felt bad about myself after eating there. More than I can say for most diners. I miss you, Dot's!
(5)Margot L.
Altho I prefer the other Dot's, this place has a real Boulder feel that is impossible to imitate anywhere else. Biscuits, Huevos, the Swiss Sizzler, you can't go wrong at Dot's. The consistency on the weekends is not as good at this location but I like the dark wood hovel that is Dot's on the hill as it is and would never want to change it.
(3)