WHERE TO DINE AND DRINK ON A BUDGET
In addition to its gourmet restaurants and chic bars, Denver is full of great little places to enjoy good food and hand-crafted beer and cider on a budget. Here are a few of my favourites. SAM’S NO 3 DINER
Prepare to come hungry – and patient – to this popular diner; the portions of its great comfort food are huge and the waits can be long, especially on weekends. The Corned Beef or Kitchen Sink burritos are especially recommended. 15th and Curtis, www.samsno3.com
ASADO RICO
Don’t go looking for a website or phone number, because you won’t find one; Asado Rico is a food cart on 16th Street Mall that has been offering delicious and inexpensive burritos since 2009. 813 16th Street.
BIJU’S LITTLE CURRY SHOP
Fast-food Indian at its finest! Limited choice, but all good. 1441 26th Street, www.littlecurryshop.com
PIZZA REPUBLICA
Located next to the Opera House, this bustling, open-plan restaurant offers authentic Neapolitan, thincrust pizza baked in a wood-fired oven plus an extensive Wine Spectator-endorsed choice of mainly Italian wines.
890 14th Street, www.pizzarepublica.com
ILLEGAL PETE’S
A friendly neighbourhood Mexican bar that serves tasty breakfasts and lunches. Among the eight locations throughout the Denver area is the one at 1530 16th Street, www.illegalpetes.com
FALLING ROCK TAP HOUSE
Super pub grub and a must-visit for any beer fan. Has 92 different draft beers and an endless number of bottled beers. 1919 Blake Street, www.fallingrocktaphouse.com
BIERSTADT LAGERHAU
Recognised as brewing some of the best craft beer in Denver, with refreshing lagers hand-crafted by owners Bill and Ashleigh as well as a wide variety of C Squared flavoured ciders. 2875 Blake Street, www.bierstadtlager.com
COLORADO CIDER COMPANY
A little out of the way, but if you’re a cider fan, it’s worth a visit as this is Colorado’s original cider producer, with 16 ciders, dry, offdry and flavoured to choose from. 2650 West 2nd Avenue, www.coloradocider.com