If your Monday began in full electrolyte-recovery mode, make a date with the Universal’s Bloody Mary. It will jolt you back to reality, while also balancing out hearty dishes such as the eatery’s delectable biscuits and gravy. The Universal’s house-made blend (fresh horseradish, Worchester, Cholula, Tabasco, pepperoncini juice, olive juice, celery salt, and tomato juice) rivals my favorite mixer: the Real Dill‘s zesty, pickle juice–infused concoction. The cocktail’s garnish is a five-piece ensemble with a celery stalk, a slice of lemon, a pepperoncini, an olive, and my favorite—a piece of cucumber. The crucial element though, is the brightly-salted rim, which is made up of celery salt spiced with cayenne pepper and colored with paprika.

Hunker down in a booth and take your restoration seriously.

Check out this roundup for more Bloody Mary options.

2911 W. 38th Ave., 303-955-0815