One of Grand Junction’s golden gems, The Feisty Pint, is this issue’s local feature. It’s tucked away on 4 Street and Colorado Ave. in the old St. Regis building. The comfort of the place brings to mind scenes from popular 1980s-90s sitcom “Cheers.”
The pub made its initial debut into Grand Junction’s restaurant scene in 2018, when owners Tim and Nikki Babbitt first opened the doors on Dec. 1. Since then, it has attracted not only local residents, but Grand Valley passersby, as well as Flavortown’s Guy Fieri. The dive bar connoisseur visited The Feisty Pint in Sept. of 2021, and put away a platter of Tim’s Roadkill. The notorious dish is piled high with tater tots, bacon bits, jalapeños and drowned in pork green chili, with a handful of shredded cheddar on top.
Upon entry, guests are greeted by an expansive bar, one that offers 26 different beers on tap, in addition to a variety of homespun cocktails. Further in the back, is the seating area for those interested in grabbing a bite to eat. The walls are peppered with televisions, so sports fanatics can celebrate victories and wallow in defeats together. The soft lighting, accent brick wall and massive fireplace mix nicely to create a homey, hole-in-the-wall ambiance.
I was directed to a table in the middle of the room, where I was able to take in the overall sensation of the place. There, I opened my menu and was met with lots of scrumptious starters, including fried battered cheese curds, chicken ‘n waffles, shishito peppers and sliders.
Further inside the pages, I became aware of the Feisty Challenges. The first was a three-patty burger smothered in a plethora of peppers, including ghosts and California reapers, ready to knock your socks off with their heat.
The second featured a three-pound plate of the aforementioned Tim’s Roadkill. An eater is able to select one of them as their opponent for the evening and, if consumed within a certain time frame, the meal is on the house.
I, myself, was not feeling quite so ambitious that night, so I settled on another one of their signature dishes: the Reuben. The sandwich was served on a toasted, marbled rye bread that diversified the textures with a nice crunch. Between the slices, lay tender folds of pink corned beef. The meat held a hint of sweetness, which complemented the pickled sauerkraut very well. Dryness is something I have become wary of when ordering Reubens, but the Pint executed perfect moisture with an appropriate amount of Thousand Island dressing.
For my side, I chose the sweet potato fries. A crispy outside was wedded to a soft center in beautiful harmony. These potatoes already have a naturally high amount of sugar, so using them to create a savory side dish was an exceptional choice.
I also decided to pair my meal with a pint of Denver’s Blue Moon Belgian White beer. The whisper of citrus inside accentuated the acidity of the sauerkraut, as well as the sweetness of the fries.
Overall, I was extremely pleased with my experience at The Feisty Pint. If you’re looking for a place to catch up with some friends, or catch up on your favorite teams while enjoying some greasy yumminess and refreshing drinks, look no further than this local corner pub.
