When no one was see , Denver suddenly grew up . While its merit as a truthful solid food town are still up for debate , the Mile High has become a procreation ground for chefs to experiment and straight-out succeed – which is bloody honest for a metropolis formerly experience for Rocky Mountain oyster and a sealed egg - based breakfast saucer . Whether you ’re a organ transplant or native , here ’s a list of essential solid food and drink that you call for to try on if you want to call yourself atrueDenverite .
Green chile
What is true , authentic Denver culinary art ? If we ’re being fair , it ’s not far off from the Den - Mex catchall term that gets thrown our fashion from time to meter . And in our Christian Bible , this pretty much means anything that’ssmothered with green chile . Whether you prefer it dense or thin , there ’s something for everyone to get their spiciness on – from refined , chef - driven destination likeEl Chingonto long - time dive likeBrewery Bar II . However , we ’ve say it once , and we ’ll say it again : El Taco de Mexicoremains the undisputed world-beater of all affair green in township .
A pioneering cut of meat
From time to time , Denver shew shades of its pioneer past , evince by destinations likeThe FortandThe Buckhorn Exchange , which serve up alligator , elk , and quail ( and yes , those pesky Rocky Mountain oyster ) . While these tourist snare dish their purpose , it ’s encouraging to see newer spots embrace our renegade roots . From half a pig ’s promontory atRebel Restaurantto the roasted goat with sweet guajillo - pepper sauce atWork & Class , Denver ’s finest are work intemperately to agitate dining car ’s perceptions of normalcy through offal and other meat - centric offerings .
A Mexican hamburger
Denver did n’t forge Mexican culinary art , but we certain as perdition take claim to the Mexican burger . And theOriginal Chubby’shas been serving up this iconic Den - Mex mantrap – and , not to observe , garner polarizing opinions – from its well - fall apart hole - in - the - wall locating on 38th since time began … in all likelihood . It ’s basically what it sound like : a Warren Earl Burger patty and refried beans twine in a tortilla and smothered in green chile . It may not be pretty , but it ’s pure Denver .
Palisade peaches
Once a yr , in late summer , the entirety of Colorado is graced with a serious H.M.S. Bounty from the Western Slope – the chief export beingPalisade peaches , the juiciest fruit you could find in the West . From farmers market place to the finest dining suite across the city , these sweet , succulent peaches make their rounds statewide . Whether you prefer ‘ em plain , or as an accoutrement , we propose you to get them while you’re able to .
Smothered breakfast burrito
We ’ve already discussed the merits of dark-green chile , but the smothered breakfast burrito is in a conference of its own . By no means an unquestionable Mexican dish , the first light repast appears at many restaurants across town – from hipster brunch joints to hidden taco stand . Boasting a selection of 25 breakfast burritos , the iconicSam ’s No . 3is a superb place to grab a gut - bomb . No matter the protein , all burrito are stuff with home fries , egg , cheddar cheese , and dowse in Sam ’s beloved green chile .
A greasy spoon brunch
As evidenced by the day-to-day line of descent atSnooze , brunch is big in Denver . If you do n’t find like waiting in tune for a pancake flight of stairs , spots likeOnefoldandBar Doughoffer up a bit more substance than sirup and powdered gelt , good manners of their Asian- and Italian - influenced break of day fare , respectively . Sometimes , however , a simple , oleaginous breakfast ca n’t be beat ( we do have an omelette bring up after our city , after all ) . In an era dominate by faux - Americana fetishes , The Butcher Block CafeandDJ ’s Cafeare a welcome hint of fresh air .
Something on Colfax Avenue
It ’s true what they say about Colfax . While certain stretch have cleaned up a bit over the preceding decades , a trip down the thoroughfare on a Saturday night is still an experience – no matter how close-fitting you are to million - dollar place . Colfax also gas a universe - class dining experience . Much like its coloured roll , the ‘ Fax has everything , from bleary - eye all - nighters such asTom ’s DinerandPete ’s Kitchenthat function as veritable counterpart to bars like Nob Hill Inn and PS Lounge , to diverse offerings such as Bourbon Grill , Phoenician Kebab , andTorta Grill .
Something South American
Mexican food for thought may dominate the Mile High , but the city also bluster a phone number of fantastic South American joints . convey a taste sensation of Argentina to the city isMaria Empanada . While you ca n’t really go wrong with any of the empanadas , the Argentina – fill up with seared steak , blood-red capsicum pepper plant , egg , fleeceable onion , and olives – is a solid start . For another deterrent example in hand - contain mastery , Quiero Arepasserves up godlike Venezuelan arepas from both their nutrient go-cart and temporary localization inAvanti Food & Beverage .
Craft beer, duh
Colorado began brewing craft beer before it was coolheaded , with heavy hitter such asWynkoop Brewing Co.paving the way for CO to become the in force beer state of matter in the state . Sure , we love Wynkoop as much as the next guy – but the local favourite since ‘ 94 has been Great Divide Brewing Company . While brewery likeComrade Brewing Company(IPAs ) andCrooked Stave Artisans(sours ) have delineate Denver ’s beer scene as of recent , we ca n’t think of a more authoritative workmanship offering than Yeti Imperial Stout . Perfect for powder days , this complex , full - embodied offeringisDenver , brew and bottled .
Ramen
Uncletook the metropolis by storm when it open in 2013 . While it ’s secure to say we ’ve eventually run away the ramen trend of the last several eld , Tommy Lee ’s Highland joint is still perennially pack to the lip – a true testament to the eating house ’s relevancy . The most popular carte item is doubtless the spicy chicken ramen . Benefiting from a healthy Cupid’s itch of chili crude oil and a creamy , tahini - based broth , the dish roam far from custom , but satisfies every time .
Biker Jim’s
We ’ve lost count of how many top 10 listsBiker Jim ’s Gourmet Dogshas graced . And for being a hot - dog stick , that ’s pretty telling . While there are certainly workable competitors on Jim ’s menu of alien options ( the Alaskan reindeer and wild boar come to mind ) , elk is the dearie . Top your dog with Biker Jim ’s Classic ( cream Malva sylvestris and caramelise onions ) , and you ’ve get yourself one of the best manus - take for option in the metropolis .
Our regional Mexican cuisine
Based on other entries , it ’s not a stint to say that Denver cuisine is root in Latino cuisine . Our city boasts multitudinous Mexican restaurants , so it only prepare sensory faculty that nuanced , regional Mexican food can be found . And prosperous for us , Oaxacan cuisine is a unique consequence . Tarasco ’s New Latino Cuisine epitomizes this underrepresented plate with raw material such as posole and tamale . The genuine winner at this Federal mainstay , however , is the mole . While we wo n’t blame you if you ordain the seven - chilly variance , the semisweet mole verde is what defines Tarasco ’s .
Dim sum or pho on Federal Boulevard
Those who drop a line - off Denver ’s food scene as purely rice , beans , and a certain green sauce have n’t been down Federal . What it ’s lack in progressive envelope drug dealer , it cause up for in decades - old , family - run Chinese , Vietnamese , and Mexican joints that come along out of nowhere in the endless sea of strip malls . Favorites include the overwhelming vague sum of dumplings , steamed behind , chicken feet , and fry shrimp balls atStar Kitchen , and pho joints like Pho Duy and Pho 95 .
An authentic craft cocktail
It ’s not a stretch to say thatWilliams & Graham , Sean Kenyon ’s award - winning speakeasy , is single - handedly responsible for for redefining Denver ’s revitalized cocktail scene . For other tastes of the township , be sure to match out newcomersBar Fausto , Ste . Ellie , andThe Way Back . In accession to telling measure programs , several solid distilleries have cropped up in late year , includingLaws Whiskey House , Devil ’s Head Distillery , andBear Creek Distillery , which have give a new name to craft cocktails .
Casa Bonita
Say what you desire , butCasa Bonitais a ritual of passage for Denverites . Sure , the cafeteria - stylus whodunit gist is passable at best – but everyone get laid that no one goes to this Lakewood institution for the nutrient . You go for theexperience . And the gratuitous sopapillas . Enough say .
My Brother’s Bar
Something from Frank Bonanno, Troy Guard, Alex Seidel, or Jennifer Jasinski
Denver may not have any Brobdingnagian famous person chef exports ( yet ) , but we do have a handful of local hero – some of whom have been awarded prestigious James Beard award , and all of which have press the city ’s culinary aspect to what it is today . Flagships includeMizuna , TAG , Fruition , andRioja , from Bonanno , Guard , Seidel , and Jasinski , respectively .
Fresh sushi from Sushi Den
Far from any ocean , Denver may be the last station you ’d expect world - class sushi . However , spots like the legendarySushi Denlegitimized the Denver sushi shot when it opened its threshold in 1984 . One of the first of its kind , the eating house splendidly flies in the fine , freshest Pisces from around the world .
A Coors Banquet
While our beer picture has evolved a snatch since 1873 , Colorado Kool - Aid still hits the spot . And the good place to savour it is straight from the reservoir at the " Fresh Beer Room , ” the ice - frigid cooler guests put down during the Coors Tour . It ’s the closest you ’ll ever get to actually tapping the Rockies and hitting alcohol .
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Foie Gras from Mizuna|Mizuna
Rebel Restaurant
flickr/lauren brown
snooze|flickr/thomas hawk
flickr/stephen rees
flickr/wally gobetz
Saint Ellie
flickr/eric lumsden
flickr/Sarah Stierch
