The 2,400 square feet of new dining room space at The Chuckwagon 719 BBQ, 6453 Omaha Blvd., is within a couple of weeks of opening.

For customers accustomed to waiting in a line that circles the building, the new dining room will be a welcome change — a place to sit down and enjoy that award-winning ’cue without the awkward dance around the pickup line.

“It’s going to be so nice to have a separate room customers can eat and enjoy their meal,” said Deidre Hammond, who, with her husband Jared and their sons, owns the barbecue palace. “We’re going to upgrade our current space with two carving stations and two registers instead of one point of sale. This will help speed up the time in line for placing, picking up and paying for orders.”

When customers pick up their food, they can exit to the large dining space just a few steps away if they want to eat here. The dining room will be furnished with community long tables and limited bar top seating.

“There’s room for a stage for live music and a bar,” said Deidre. “We’ve got a selfie wall, too. And, later, there’s space outside for a patio.”

The liquor license is in the works. In the meantime, the Hammonds have partnered with Distillery 291 to use all of its bourbon in Chuckwagon’s recipes.

“We are currently featuring it in our house-made bourbon bacon jam for our brisket burgers and bourbon chicken,” said Deidre. “We are also selecting an exclusive barrel for The Chuckwagon’s own bourbon from 2021 to be featured at our new bar.”

Hours are noon-4 p.m. (or until sold out) Thursdays through Sundays. Details: 832-877-0549, Facebook.com/chuckwagon719.

Around Nonna’s table
The Sons and Daughters of Italy Pikes Peak Lodge 2870 will once again be boiling spaghetti, simmering meatballs in red gravy and serving homemade desserts for its annual Spaghetti Dinner at Colorado Springs Elks Lodge 309, 3400 N. Nevada Ave., noon-4 p.m Sept. 13.

Lodge members prepare and serve the buffet meal as if you are family gathered around Nonna’s table for Sunday dinner. Get in line for spaghetti, meatballs, Italian sausage, salad, drinks, bread, and dessert, much of it homemade.

Prices are $15 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and under and free for children under 3. Alcoholic beverages available for purchase. Tickets are available from lodge members, at the door, or at tinyurl.com/3r45p9zz.

The dinner benefits the lodge’s Scholarship Fund and Home Front Military Network.

From spaghetti to now
The Gaylord Rockies Resort, 6700 N. Gaylord Rockies Blvd., Aurora, is again gearing up for So Much Christmas with the debut of this year’s ice! featuring Disney Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” sculpted in ice by a team of 30 master artisans from Harbin, China.

It’s another spectacular feat to behold in the brisk 9-degree display, where the chilly temperature preserves the intricate carved-ice details. Don’t worry about frostbite. Before entering the attraction, you’ll wrap up in signature blue parkas.

Plan to make it a weekend of festivities, including Nutmeg’s Holiday Kitchen Character Breakfast, featuring Nutmeg the Gingerbread Man and The Merry Baker. Nutmeg, a life-sized gingerbread cookie and The Merry Baker will spread the cheer with stories, laughter and festive fun while guests enjoy a themed breakfast and photo ops. Returning activities include Candy Cane Mountain Snow Tubing, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Gumdrop Gliders Ice Puck Challenge and the Yuletide Street Market.

Holiday festivities run Nov. 20-Jan. 3. Purchase tickets or book early-bird packages at ChristmasatGaylordRockies.com.