Phantom Canyon Brewing Company

Do you - and I'm speaking now to my friends in Pasadena - remember the last days of Gordon Biersch? 

The place that had once been so popular never had more than a half-dozen customers at the end. Many of the food items were no longer available but they hadn't spent the money to print new menus. The beer always tasted a bit off. (Tim was convinced that they did not clean their lines properly.) 

I was thinking of that while at Phantom Canyon. 

The space is attractive, with high ceilings and a beautiful bar. It was easy to imagine that once upon a time, every seat was taken and an army of pretty girls delivered beer to the tables while Broncos games played on every TV with John Elway under center. 

But, on this night in 2026, there was hardly anyone here. Although the TVs were turned to the CFP Championship Game, not a single person was watching.

The service was slow. The beer was fine but for some reason only 80% full. (My guess is that the bartender poured it then wandered off to do something else; when he returned the head had dissipated and instead of topping it off he just shrugged and served it to me,)

The chips and elote dip were mediocre at best. 

I think I would have enjoyed this place in its heyday.

But that was obviously a long time ago.