For a long while, there has been an emerging trend of exploring America’s native cuisine. In the Denver area, there’s the Fort (which, having opened in 1963, predates the trend), Kachina Southwestern Grill, and Tocabe. Nationally, there’s Washington, D.C.’s Mitsitam Cafe at the National Museum of the American Indian. But aside from that, there’s not enough attention paid to the foods of the original hunters and gatherers.

Brother Luck, a Colorado Springs chef whose claims to fame are overcoming Bobby Flay on his show, Beating Bobby Flay, and making it to the final round on an episode of Chopped, aims to change that. He is turning his attention to the historical cuisine of the Four Corners region, where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet at a point. He will close his current restaurant, Brother Luck Street Eats, on March 25 and open IV by Brother Luck in April.

“The four corners region has been influenced by Western European, Spanish Colonial, Native American, and Latin American cuisine,” Luck says. “I look forward to showcasing an offering that differs from typical southwestern food and view the menu at IV as a hybrid of cultural influence.”

The traditional “three sisters” (corn, beans, and squash) will having a starring role, as will seasonally appropriate produce, carefully sourced meats and fish, and foraged plants. Luck will also call on local breweries and distilleries to further the regional message.

321 N. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs

Amanda M. Faison
Amanda M. Faison
Freelance writer Amanda M. Faison spent 20 years at 5280 Magazine, 12 of those as Food Editor.