The Cherry Creek North Cougars are back.
That was the name of the coed flag football team sponsored by Chez Jose, a beloved burrito joint that closed last year after 17 years of folding the flour. The team’s T-shirts, proudly proclaiming the wearers were “Cherry Creek North Cougars,” were coveted collectors items.
But the team went away with Chef Jose — even if the real cougars didn’t. They tend to gather these days at Second Home, the bar in JW Marriott.
Here’s the good news: On Thursday, Chez Jose owner Dan Ohlson opened Machete, a new place at East Third Avenue and Detroit Street in Cherry Creek. It’s a taco/tequila bar — and this means the return of the Cherry Creek North Cougars and the T-shirt.
“The T-shirts are not way up there on my priority list,” says Ohlson. “But we’ll definitely sponsor a team and make the shirts again. We had some cougars in on opening night.”
Does he mean team members or real cougars?
“Both,” he says.
The place was mobbed on Cinco de Mayo — but you’re going to have to wait until next weekend to try a few of the 100 tequilas on the menu and the array of street tacos. Ohlson has to work out some ventilation matters and finish the renovation of the space that once housed Q’s Worldly BBQ.
Mighty.
So you think you’re strong? You can prove it Saturday at the Fort Collins Battle in the Fort Strongman Competition. This is the third year the competition weighs in at Anytime Fitness.
Brian Shaw, 29, will be the celebrity on site. The Fort Lupton resident, who has huge hands and size-16 feet, is one of the strongest guys in the world. He explains his prowess on Facebook: “I’ve always been able to do this. The biggest tire, the heaviest stone. . . . I’ve always been able to walk up and lift it. Odd strength is what it is, not weight-room strength. It’s brute strength, brute power.”
To compete, call Chris Cattolica at 970-223-2248.
Hungry as a bear?
Please, don’t feed the animals.
You might be tempted to when “Do at the Zoo” serves up dinner and drinks at the animal house on June 16 — the first big party of the summer. Tix are $175, but you get a lot for your money. What’s better than talking to the animals while sipping a martini?
Tix at 303-376-4860.
City spirit.
Mother’s Day Brunch today at Comedy Works South features Sinatra-style crooner Danny Wein . . . Cirque du Soleil’s “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour” has added a third date, Jan. 8, to its Pepsi Center visit. Tix went on sale last week at . . . Author/ screenwriter Megan McDonald and actress Jordana Beatty are at Barnes & Noble in Lone Tree at 4 p.m. Tuesday to celebrate “Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer.” The book is out, and the movie opens June 10 . . . Sez who: “The worst thing a man can ever do is kiss me on the first date.” Halle Berry
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. You can reach him at 303-954-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com. Take a peek at Husted’s next column at husted.
