Where FoCo Eats Alone (Happily) + Vote for the Cutest Pet!
Solo Dinner? We Got You. 🥢 + Cutest Pets Contest Inside!
Photo by u/SnootsAndBootsLLP
Happy Monday, FoCo,
Hey hey, Ben here — happy Monday, FoCo! Today’s issue is packed: solo dinner recs for anyone needing a little “me time,” a brand-new community poll, and our first-ever Cutest Pets Contest (yes, it’s finally happening). Whether your week needs comfort food, a fun vote, or a hit of wholesome pet energy, you’re in the right place.
Poll: Help Us Choose Our Next Guide
You’ve been asking for more ways to get involved, and we listened—contests, community votes, the whole thing. Before we spill the next big guide, help us decide what to work on first:
What should we cover next?
Click an option to vote
You asked for more ways to get involved, so we kicked things off with our first-ever Cutest Pets Contest (yep, details are just below).
Where FoCo Locals Actually Go for Solo Dinners 🍽️✨
Avogadro's Number
Sometimes the best company is… you. And in Fort Collins, you’ve got options — cozy corners, friendly staff, good vibes, and zero expectations to chat with anyone unless you feel like it. We pulled together the spots locals swear by for a comforting, confidence-boosting solo dinner out.
Here’s your “treat-yourself” map for tonight:
A go-to comfort pick for a lot of people—warm pho, welcoming staff, and that perfect “not too busy, not too quiet” energy.
Easygoing, familiar, and never weird for solo diners. Grab a sandwich, take your time, enjoy the vibe.
If sushi is therapy, pull up a bar seat here. Great nigiri, chill atmosphere, and solo seats that just work.
🍽️ Persimmon
One of FoCo’s coziest. People love bringing a book here and settling into the downstairs lounge. The updated menu is a win.
Shockingly great for solo dining thanks to window-facing seats and a low-pressure atmosphere.
Quiet, warm, and perfect for a slow dinner alone with comforting curries.
Fast, flavorful, and ideal if you want something low-key and tasty.
🥗 Rise!
Bright, fresh, friendly. Locals love the food and the casual feel—easy solo vibes.
Always a great pick for flavorful plates in a calm setting.
🥧 Me Oh My
Sandwiches, pot pies, and killer pastries. A gentle, peaceful spot where nobody rushes you.
One of the most consistently recommended solo spots in town. Chill, familiar, always reliable.
Zero awkwardness, great slices, and a true FoCo classic.
🍺 Local Breweries (with food trucks!)
If you want to eat but don’t feel like being overly social, breweries with rotating food trucks are a sweet spot. Check schedules online for tonight’s options.
🍲 Limonata
Grab a bar seat and enjoy some of the best Italian comfort food around.
Gluten-free menu, celiac-safe, warm staff, and surprisingly great solo-dining food.
🥢 Obee’s, East Moon, Yum Yums, The Union, Retreat, Jeju, Ye’s Poke
Locals say each of these is low-stress, easy, and perfect for grabbing a bite without feeling watched.
What's Happenin' in Fort Collins: Event Listings
Monday, November 17
Tuesday, November 18
Want more? See the full calendar → Fort Collins Event Calendar
Think Your Pet Is The Cutest? Prove It.
We’re hosting the first-ever What’s Happenin’ Cutest Pets Contest, and your furry friend deserves a moment in the spotlight. Submit a photo, and our community will vote for their favorites. The top pets win prizes and get featured in the newsletter.
Want to boost your pet’s chances?
Invite your friends and family to vote for them using your unique referral link.
And don’t worry—if your pet doesn’t win, you still can.
Whoever brings in the most referrals wins a bonus prize, no matter how their pet places.
So show off your fluffball, share your link far and wide, and snag a prize for you or your pet.
Submit your entry below and start sharing. 🐶🐱✨
How to get referrals
Local Happenings
Children’s Museum of Northern Colorado Sets January Construction Start
A long-awaited dream for NoCo families is officially moving forward. The Children’s Museum of Northern Colorado — set to open at Loveland Yards — will begin construction in January, bringing a 19,000-square-foot hands-on museum to life. The space will feature immersive exhibits inspired by local culture, agriculture, waterways, and the skilled trades, all designed by Colorado artists and craftspeople.
The museum has already cared deeply about community identity, from an aspen-grove–themed scarf-tube exhibit to a construction zone where kids can literally build and explore. It will also include classrooms for field trips and birthday parties, helping fill a big gap schools face with limited bus availability. Project leaders are still fundraising the final portion of their $6.7 million goal but remain on track for an October opening.
🍽 Not sure where to eat tonight?
Our Restaurant Finder takes the guesswork out of dining by showing you the best local restaurants based on real reviews and vibes, not just ratings. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a date-night spot, we’ve got you. No endless scrolling, no decision fatigue...just solid recs.
🧠 Need a brain break?
Play trivia, crosswords, and word searches built just for locals. These games aren’t just fun...they’ll test how well you actually know your city. Great for killing time, learning something new, or proving you’re the true local legend.
🍔 Who’s Got the Best Burger in Fort Collins?
From classic roadside burgers to chef-crafted patties piled high with local flair, FoCo’s burger scene is sizzling. We’re rounding up the juiciest contenders in town—now it’s your turn to crown the one that rules them all. 🍟🔥
Until Next Time, FoCo ❤️
Thanks for spending part of your Monday with me. If you submit a pet photo, I fully expect to lose productivity scrolling through them — fair warning. And as always, if you’ve got ideas, questions, or hidden gems I should feature next, just hit reply.
💬 Got ideas for making What’s Happenin’ Fort Collins even better? I read every message, and this newsletter gets better because of you.
See you Wednesday!
— Ben
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