Corporate buyouts, gentrification, urban infill: These are the forces that get vilified when time-honored corners of our city are lost to change. But sometimes something as simple yet inevitable as growing old can close a popular business. Such was the case when Ron Cito and Kim DeLancey retired and closed…
The Original Chubby’s on West 38th Avenue just opened a brand new dining room and kitchen over the weekend that replaces the tiny, takeout-only joint operated first by Stella Cordova and then by her grandson, Danny, over the past fifty years. But another grandson, Julian, has opened and closed a…
Seinfeld has been off the air for nearly twenty years, but gags from the show still live on. The fifth annual Denver Beer Festivus, held on Saturday, December 17, celebrated the alternative holiday observance created by character George Costanza’s dad, who wanted “a Festivus for the rest of us” to…
The Original Chubby’s never had to call itself “the original” until other Chubby’s locations began popping up around town, some which even called themselves the Original Chubby’s. But there’s only one original, and that’s the Chubby’s at 1231 West 38th Avenue, purchased and run by Stella Cordova in 1967 and…
Remember Wurstküche? The sausage emporium out of Los Angeles was one of the first restaurants to close in 2016, but hardly the most memorable. Since it lasted less than a year, we barely got to know the place before it shuttered. But sadly, some of our favorites spots around town, from…
Want to have some fun this week? Print this list of food events, affix it to a wall (with your parents’ permission) and toss a few darts at it. You might wind up at a Mexican Christmas celebration or a beer-release party, or in front of a plate of holiday…
Gretchen Kurtz recently reviewed the Steuben’s that opened in a former Gunther Toody’s in Arvada earlier this year. Not only did she find it a worthy, smart addition to Josh Wolkon’s Secret Sauce group of local restaurants, but the fried chicken immediately joined that of the original Steuben’s on East…
December is when commerce usually slows down, but not in the restaurant industry, where holiday parties and revelers pack dining rooms and pad reservation lists. Those who open new restaurants have been busy this month, too. Here are ten new bars and eateries we’ve covered so far this month, along…
This week we went on the Colorado grand tour as our Beer Man, Jonathan Shikes, talked to several beer lovers who have visited every brewery in Colorado. To help you plan your own sudsy adventure, Shikes shared seven tips on the how to be an efficient beer tourist. But if…
We may be on the brink of a revolution when it comes to mixed drinks: the cider cocktail. While they’re far from a staple at local bars and taprooms, cider cocktails have consistently been a top seller at places like the Rackhouse Pub, where the bar always has at least…
The morning commute on Santa Fe Drive just south of Mississippi Avenue gets a little treacherous when cars queuing up at a Starbuck’s drive-thru overflow into northbound traffic lanes. Brothers Matt and Brad Gruber noticed the number of drivers stopping to fuel up on caffeine as early as 5 a.m…
What’s that smell? No, it’s not your roast burning (though you should check, just in case): It’s the scent of holiday cheer getting stronger and stronger. This weekend brings an underwater Santa Claus, an early taste of the Feast of the Seven Fishes, and holiday markets to aid your seasonal…
In January Quiznos launched a slightly more upscale sandwich concept called Quiznos Grill at 1147 Broadway.. But last month the company — which was founded in the Mile High City in 1981 — ended that experiment and closed Quiznos Grill. Now the space is occupied by Zeps Epiq Sandwiches, with a…
We’ve slurped the noodles at Osaka Ramen; we’ve shoveled down fresh fish plucked from the carousel at Sushi-Rama; we’ve strolled through Denver Central Market overwhelmedby mouthwatering choices. These are the projects that chef/restaurateur Jeff Osaka has launched in the two years (plus a few months) since he closed twelve on…
What makes a great bar? Neighborhood appeal is always important, along with friendly, professional staff and a well-rounded drinks list. Mostly, though, it’s that indefinable feeling when you set yourself on a bar stool, feel instantly at home — and then never want to leave. Whether you call for a…
Right under my nose, in my own neighborhood, the Mozart Lounge and its old-school neon sign had been hiding, disguised as the Aqua Lounge at 1417 Krameria Street. For the past eight years, and since I have lived in Mayfair in East Denver, the location has been known by the…
One of the tiniest breweries in Colorado is getting more attention in beer circles recently for its farmhouse-style saisons and oak-aged wild ales. Atom Brewing, which operates out of a small building on Jeff and Christina Porn’s property in Erie, opened last April and only occasionally releases one of its…
No. 34: Ebelskivers at Three Little Griddles Chances are you have never heard of an ebelskiver (or æbleskiver) before, unless you are from the Midwest or Denmark. These happy little puffs of dough are a Danish creation — essentially pancake spheres — about the size of golf balls — filled…
A comfy coffee shop provides welcome shelter from chilly weather; after all, most coffee shops are in the business of generating steam. Even if you have difficulty peering through the windows from the outside, it’s a good bet that inside you’ll find a safe haven from Old Man Winter. Port…
Sure, you have a family, a job, a few hobbies and, you know, a life, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find the time to visit every brewery in Colorado. While the task might sound daunting, the guys who have done it say it wasn’t that hard — and they…
When New Saigon opened on South Federal Boulevard in 1982, it was only the second Vietnamese restaurant in Denver. Refugees fleeing the Communist regime in Vietnam were just beginning to settle in Denver at the time, forming the basis of the vibrant community that exists today. New Saigon became a…
We’ve all been faced with the “Where should we go?” question. Sometimes the answer is obvious, but other times we need help. Whether it’s finding the perfect place to celebrate the right occasion, determining what kitchen can accommodate an unusual dietary restriction, or maybe just discovering a new place…
