Sunshine Express

Great place to stop for a quick breakfast on the way to ski. Very simple place — order at counter — not fancy. We usually stop at McD’s — way better local alternative. Good coffee. They also have lunch and dinner. Prices are very reasonable. They now have a storefront on main st, which has a great outdoor patio in warm months. We will come back.

First, lets be clear. this is not a fine-​dining establishment. Based on the food truck parked out front, I’m assuming this business probably began as a food truck and has since become a small sit-​down (or to-​go) restaurant.
My wife & I stopped in for a quick bite on our way back to Denver International from a weekend at Keystone. The place was empty when we arrived, save for one other couple who walked in seconds before us. That couple ordered a couple breakfast sandwiches to go, we ordered a breakfast sandwich, for me, and biscuits & gravy topped with an egg for my wife. We each also grabbed a bottle of OJ. Total price was in the neighborhood of $ 14, broken down that was $ 4 for the breakfast sandwich, I believe about $ 8 for the biscuits/​gravy/​egg (add on), and $ 1 each for the OJ. Pretty reasonable to me.
Since the other couple ordered to go, their food was prepared first, and must have been done within 5min or so. My wife & I waited only an additional 7 minutes, or so before our food was out.
The owner (?) was very friendly, in the midst of prepping our food she asked me specifically how I wanted the bacon on my breakfast sandwich; «wiggly, or crisp?» — never been asked before, so it was nice to be given the choice, and what a fun way to phrase it! :)
So the food arrived, in paper-​lined baskets (like the kind you often get french fries in and whatnot). my breakfast sandwich was literally a sandwich. Two pieces of white toast (you get the option of the kind of bread you want) with a fried egg, cheese, and bacon. It’s also available with ham, or both. She asked if I wanted mayo on it when I ordered — I declined, never tried such a thing, maybe next time we stop in I will — yes, there WILL be a next time.
The wife’s biscuits and gravy was a VERY generous portion. Gravy was extra meaty, which very rarely — if ever — is the case. It was, in fact, so large that she couldn’t finish it.
The décor is modest, the prices are low, service is friendly and as far as I’m concerned fast. If you are expecting something like a Denny’s just drive on by. but, if you’re after a quick, inexpensive breakfast done short-​order-​style, with a friendly proprietor to either dine in, or take on the road this is a good option. We’ll be stopping in every time we’re driving I-​70 into or out of the mountains in the morning from here on out.
Frankly, I dunno what’s up with the negative reviews. either they went on an off day (everybody has those), or they set their expectations too high. In either case, I’m a fan, and I’ll be back.

I stopped purely on a whim and my first impression of the owner was astounding! She is so sweet and ready to prepare your food from scratch with the best service I have received in a long time.
Whether you are passing through or staying the night in Idaho springs, I would highly recommend stopping here to anyone in the area.
I had a wonderful time talking with the owner. 6 of 5 stars

This place was very awful. Everything was prepared in a microwave in Styrofoam to-​go boxes even though we sat down to eat. We were curious about getting breakfast burritos, but when we inquired about green chile, the owner (and only worker in the store) proceeded to give us lots of excuses and justifications for not having such a delicious staple Mexican option. We settled for biscuits and gravy and an omelette for the two of us, and neither entrée was appetizing nor enjoyable, as we could tell that it came from the microwave, and was not prepared with very much care or attention. The owner even proceeded to offer one of us a job, which was fairly off-​putting, especially for such a low wage.