Egg Harbor Cafe just opened its first Colorado location in Highlands Ranch, and they generously gave us $350 in gift cards to give away to readers to celebrate, along with a discount code for DougCo Drop subscribers.

We’re running a $100 and $50 giveaway on Instagram, and we’ve reserved two $100 gift cards exclusively for DougCo Drop subscribers. You’ll find the subscriber giveaway poll at the end of the article below, along with the reader discount.

If this goes well, we’re hoping to do more subscriber-only giveaways like this with local businesses around Douglas County.

Now let’s get into the new brunch spot.

Egg Harbor Cafe, a Midwest breakfast and lunch concept founded in 1985, has officially opened at 9579 S University Blvd, near the intersection of University and Highlands Ranch Parkway. The restaurant is the company’s 28th location and the first in Colorado. It’s part of a three-generation, family-owned company that has grown across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Georgia while intentionally staying independent.

One thing the company has been clear about: they don’t franchise and they have no plans to go public. The focus has always been on steady, thoughtful growth while keeping the culture intact.

When leadership began discussing expansion into new markets, they asked their directors where they would personally want to open the next cafés. The answer from Will Makoski, who is leading the Colorado expansion, was simple: Denver.

After touring roughly 30 potential sites in just two days, he walked into the Highlands Ranch location off University Boulevard and immediately said, “This is it.”

He should know the brand well. He’s been with Egg Harbor for 20 years, and now he and his family are calling Highlands Ranch home as they launch the company’s first Colorado location.

Egg Harbor is already doubling down on the Denver market, with another restaurant currently under construction at Belleview Station in the Denver Tech Center. In other words, this isn’t a one-and-done addition to the community — they’re laying down roots. More locations are already percolating…

The family influence shows up all over the menu.

Many of the dishes are named after family members. Cassie’s Crepe, for example, is named after the founders’ daughter. Another menu item, Matt’s Meaty Skillet, is named after the founders’ son Matt, who now serves as the company’s CEO.

Even the kids’ menu carries the family touch. It was designed by the third generation of the family, and kids can submit drawings to the restaurant, with one selected each month and rewarded with a free meal.

Egg Harbor leans heavily into fresh breakfast and brunch classics, but the menu is broad enough that most groups will find something they want.

Highlights include:

Brunch cocktails are also available, including:

They are open seven days a week from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM, serving breakfast and lunch only.

You can find all their menus here: Egg Harbor Cafe Menu

Reservations are not accepted, with seating operating on a first-come, first-served basis. However, Egg Harbor offers an online waitlist system that lets guests join the line remotely and check current wait times before arriving.

Guests can join the waitlist here: Egg Harbor Cafe Waitlist

The Highlands Ranch restaurant has plenty of seating options, which should help with weekend brunch traffic.

You’ll find:

The space feels designed for everything from quick weekday breakfasts to longer weekend brunches.

I stopped by during their soft opening this past weekend with my parents to give the new spot a try.

And trust me, this is one you won’t want to sleep on.

We started with three of their specialty coffees: the Honeybee Harborcinno, a Cookies & Cream Harborcinno, and the Cookie Butter Latte — safe to say the vibes and the sugar intake were high.

For food, we started with the Strawberry French Toast, which was recommended as one of the hits on the menu — it didn’t disappoint.

We also tried the 1985 Burger and the Tuna-Cado Melt, both served with fresh salads.

I got Cassie’s Crepe, which came with their amazing house-made poppyseed dressing that tied the whole dish together.

And you obviously have to finish brunch with dessert, so we ordered a cinnamon roll to share. It was the perfect way to end the meal — warm, soft, and exactly what you want after brunch. It also comes gluten-free if needed.

Rebecca, our waitress, did a great job walking us through the menu and making recommendations, and the atmosphere struck a nice balance between lively brunch spot and relaxed neighborhood café.

Egg Harbor also shared a DougCo Drop reader deal with us.

Use code DOUGCODROP10! to get $10 off a $50 purchase.

Show the coupon from this email or the flyer below when dining in to redeem.

Valid through April 30, 2026. One-time use. Dine-in only. Excludes alcohol.

Egg Harbor also gave us two $100 gift cards reserved just for DougCo Drop readers.

If you’d like a shot at one, tap Yes below and we’ll randomly select two subscribers.

We’ll announce the winners in next week’s newsletter.

Local jobs and opportunities across Douglas County.

If you’re hiring, reach out at [email protected] for a free posting.

Ladies — tickets just dropped for Ladies’ Night Out with Blanchard Family Wines in Castle Rock (Friday, April 10th, 6:00–8:00pm). Limited seats, and a few discounted spots are still available — grab one here.

Music & Concerts

Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Buck Sergeant - Thu 3/19, 6:00pm (Patio)
PACE Center - The Young Dubliners - Thu 3/19, 7:30pm
Lone Tree Arts Center - Women of Americana: A Celebration of American Music - Thu 3/19, 7:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Jeffrey Alan Band - Thu 3/19, 7:30pm (Inside)
Stagecoach Saloon - Mountain Magic Band - Fri 3/20, 6:30pm
The Studio @ Mainstreet - Dueling Pianos Official Road Show - Fri 3/20, 7:30pm
Wide Open Saloon - Dueling Pianos - Fri 3/20, 7:30pm
Takoda Tavern - Soda Blue - Fri 3/20, 7:30pm
Sinners and Saints - André LaMotte - Fri 3/20, 8:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Tribal Dantz - Sat 3/21, 12:00pm (Patio)
Stagecoach Saloon - Blinker Fluid - Sat 3/21, 6:30pm
105 West Brewing - Live Music: Knucklehorn - Sat 3/21, 6:30pm
Wide Open Saloon - Steve and The Cruisers - Sat 3/21, 7:00pm
Takoda Tavern - Six Foot Joe & the Red Hot Rhinos - Sat 3/21, 7:30pm
Lone Tree Arts Center - A St. Patrick's Day Celebration with Solas - Sat 3/21, 7:30pm
The Studio @ Mainstreet - Phoenix Live - Sat 3/21, 8:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Steve Thomas Band - Sat 3/21, 8:30pm (Inside)
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Sarah P and the Haypullers - Sun 3/22, 12:00pm (Patio)
The Studio @ Mainstreet - Hazel Blue DUO - Sun 3/22, 12:00pm
PACE Center - Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy and the Celtic All-Stars - Tue 3/24, 7:30pm

Family

Southridge Recreation Center - Tots & Tunes featuring Doctor Noize - Thu 3/19, 10:00am
PACE Center - Goodnight Moon - The Astronomy of the Moon - Thu 3/19, 10:00am
The Schoolhouse - Stage Production of Goodnight Moon - Sat 3/21, 10:00am
The Schoolhouse - Goodnight Moon - Weaving Tales Together: Co-Authoring Children's Books - Sat 3/21, 10:00am
The Schoolhouse - Goodnight Moon - Storytime with DCPA - Sun 3/22, 10:00am & 12:00pm
PACE Center - Ada Twist, Scientist and Friends - Wed 3/25, 6:30pm

Food & Drink

Sinners and Saints - Wine Tasting with Shabo Winery - Thu 3/19, 6:30pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Wine Tasting: Celebrate Women Winemakers - Fri 3/20, 6:00pm
COFF33 - Wine Glass Tasting Seminar - Fri 3/20, 7:00pm
COFF33 - Wine and Chocolate Tasting - Sat 3/21, 7:00pm

Arts & Culture

Lone Tree Arts Center - SPARK! Hands on Activity: Tagawa Gardens - Thu 3/19, 1:30pm

Nightlife & Entertainment

Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Forbidden Bingo - Sun 3/22, 8:00pm
Sinners and Saints - Vows and Vices: Bachelorette Viewing Party - Sun 3/22, 7:00pm
Alidade Brewing - Puzzle Competition - Mon 3/23, 6:00pm

On the Horizon

PACE Center - Steep Canyon Rangers - Thu 3/26, 7:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Kingpin Posse - Thu 3/26, 7:30pm
Stagecoach Saloon - The Hot Boots Band - Fri 3/27, 6:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - The Fuzzheads - Fri 3/27, 8:30pm
Douglas County Libraries - Highlands Ranch - A Storybook Holiday: Ferdinand's Frolic - Sun 3/29, 8:30am
Convict Coffee Co. - Beginner Brush Pen Calligraphy Workshop - Sun 3/29, 4:00pm

Need more events? Check out https://dougcoevents.com

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Parker's Mainstreet Is Booming
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Castle Rock Approves $22M Fire Station in Northeast
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Internet Safety Town Hall March 25
TLDR: Online child exploitation is happening in Douglas County. A panel of experts will cover what parents, coaches, and teachers can do. Live town hall at 6pm on the 25th.

New History Exhibit Opens at Parker Heritage Center
TLDR: "Tracks Across Our Land" explores the trails, railroads, and roads that shaped Douglas County. Free admission — now open.

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