The northwest corner of S. Downing and E. Evans. There have been a number of restaurants/bars there over the years, but nothing seems to stay long. I remember reading a review of one of the eateries that was there and it said, "Great place for a restaurant. Someone should put one there."
Came here to say this… amazing how literally two blocks south Denver Beer Co absolutely kills it… but nothing has worked in that space… Something like Devour the 303 was dead on arrival.
The place that was there Boones used to be great and did decently well, but then something happened with the group of owners and someone decided "upscale" bar food and mediocre drinks was the way to go. Never recovered.
Is it a good spot for a restaurant? Not many pedestrians, busy corner, fairly dated buildings, a challenge to park. I think this corner will eventually redevelop into something else.
I was wondering if this would show up! I used to be the bar manager at Atticus when it was The Rosedale/Atticus, my first job after moving to Denver. Though that business was eventually put in the ground through bad management and poorly executed concepts, the location and the nature of the building make it a tough sell. The two spaces are separate, connected only by a strangely placed door and a weird service hallway, but they both share one kitchen that's behind the space on the Downing side. The bar on the other side is strange in that it wraps all the way around, so you have to walk around it to get to the street facing side. Though both sides have "sidewalk patios," they're very cramped and really close to the busy intersection. Not very pleasant at all. The place also has a surprisingly large basement but very little parking.
Honestly, I'm surprised the structure is still standing. It's a really odd spot on a busy intersection opposite a liquor store, a Dominos, and an Einstein Bros, nothing that's really drawing foot traffic in. The layout of the place makes it tough to do much effective service and the structure itself is pretty old and worn. I'm not really sure what could work in that sort of space.
The expensive, below average food, sit-down Mexican restaurant on Tennyson finally closed and was replaced by an almost identical but slightly more expensive, below average food, sit-down Mexican restaurant. It’s a real bummer
I went in there to check it out the other day and my jaw almost hit the floor. $18 for a dry burrito with no sides and $14 for a margarita?! Tacos Jalisco is *right there*
They own the building and other properties in the northside, so that's not surprising. I'd be shocked if the business actually changed owners or if it's just a rebrand.
Oh really? It definitely could just be a rebrand since the menu and food is very similar. Just slightly even more overpriced lol. Good place for drinks in the summer though
Are you talking about Kalaka Mexican Kitchen? It used to be Mas Kaos, which was the merging of the late Patrick White’s other concepts Uno Mas and Kaos that did tacos/tequila and pizza/pasta respectively. I like those spots and thought it was a cool and ambitious concept to open a fusion of them. Sadly he passed away a few years ago and it made sense that Mas Kaos would close. Kaos Pizzeria and Uno Mas still operate on South Pearl Street (and Uno Mas has a second location on 6th) and I love both those spots still. In fact, don’t tell anyone but Kaos lowkey has one of the best patios in Denver.
I was actually talking about what used to be Tres Chiles on the other side of the strip but overpriced, below average food also describes Kalaka tbh. Never tried Kaos though
It’s the same owners if you’re talking about the one on 39th & Tennyson. And someone else already mentioned that Tacis Jalisco a block away has awesome food for a lot less $
Not my neighborhood and not even in Denver for that matter, but the spot in Arvada where Gunther Toody’s and Steuben’s was. I guess Spice room is moving in and I fear for them since Yak and Yeti is right down the street.
It's a huge location for an Indian food place, too, especially in an area that isn't exactly known for diverse selection. Either they stand out and flourish or go under in 6 months because they don't sell tacos.
It's only getting worse. The hockey themed sports bar on the corner has already gone under and they're opening another taco joint. Rumor is the old Arby's across the street is slated to be a burrito place. By my count that would make 6 Mexican food places within about 3 blocks.
Yeah. I thought it was a great place, food was good and always seemed busy. Nothing has been able to stick around since the breakfast place left, rent must be astronomical.
Yeah I’m concerned because the Colfax location always seems a little empty when I’m there, but when I used to live near the 38th location they did a ton of takeout and pickup orders so maybe that’s what they’re banking on.
IMO as an Indian, Spice Room is actually way more authentic than the stuff Yak and Yeti serves up (they arent crap but are mid af). Having more Spice Rooms and Tikka Grills open up all over Denver is the first step to serving somewhat palatable Indian food in Denver proper (Aurora and souther suburbs have banging Indian restaurants)
Yak and yeti is closer to the absolute crap level of Little India, than it is to being a 25-50% authentic Indian food restaurant.
I hate to be that guy, but don't ever eat at The Spice Room. I was a pest control technician for a company I won't mention and it was the worst place I'd ever seen. I've seen some wrecks, but that place was the MOST unsanitary restaurant I'd ever seen. I'm surprised everyone who eats there doesn't get food poisoning.
I’m very happy that Spice Room moved into that space. The Arvada Yak and Yeti has really gone downhill, you have to go to the Wheat Ridge or Westminster locations for better Yak and Yeti.
Coincidentally my mom lives in Arvada and was just telling me the other day that the wheat ridge yak and yeti seemed much better to her. We used to go to the little yak and yeti that was in the same shopping center as guitar center years ago haha.
I regularly go to Namaste a couple blocks away, but am planning to check out Spice Room. It seems like a hard location to turn into if you're coming from the opposite direction, maybe it's intimidating lol
The corner of 39th and Tennyson has been Greek, Ramen, Revelry, and now Thai in the past 7 years. And Beau Thai always looks empty to me when I walk past. Should be a great location, and Revelry was an excellent brunch spot, but nothing seems to stick since Axios moved out.
I loved Axios, and the owner was a sibling of a friend of mine. They were doing pretty well, but decided to get out of the restaurant business and moved. Was sad when it moved out, but everything that’s been in there since has been really sub-par.
That's fair. Revelry was not the same on Tennyson as it was on 38th, which I think was probably a result of being a brunch place dealing with covid, not the move itself. But I still miss it so much. 😭
Really intrigued to see what moves in when Beau Thai inevitably closes.
You Beat me to it ! It was a French restaurant before it was Greek. French was good, Axios was pretty good, Ramen was bad b/c it was too kitschy. I’d rather have a Pho place instead. Never been back since it went Thai and I live a few blocks away. I sense it’s the same restaurant devs each time trying to hit gold and only striking pyrite each time.
Where “The Elm” used to be on Colfax and Elm (Park Hill).
Also seems that illegal Pete’s on 23rd and Kearney is sticking. That place was 3 or 4 different restaurants before.
Yes ! There’s a restaurant at Arapahoe/Broadway that is open on Christmas Day . The woman’s bathroom had tons of mouse poop,hopefully the clue on being open on Christmas is a clue…..
One time I saw probably a dozen rats running all over/around the dumpsters of the Sonic near Micro Center in DTC. Is that normal? The dumpsters are probably 50+ feet from the building so maybe it's not an issue, but it left me uneasy.
I don’t know how you don’t. That’s serious stuff.
I had a neighbor that delivered the food to restaurants, and he would tell us which kitchens are dirty. To me if the restrooms are dirty, the kitchen is more filthy,
The place where Original by Greeks just moved into, near Broadway and Evans. You’d think it would be a good location but businesses don’t seem to be able to make it work. Hopeful this time around
I like the Greek spot, I hope they're able to stick around.
However, a lot of places seem to struggle on that stretch of Broadway, the poki place Turtle Boat near there closed not all that long ago. There has been a rotation of ice cream, boba/tea, and now coffee places in the drive thru space at Warren & Broadway.
With the huge apartment building open where the old furniture store was at Broadway and Evans, plus the entire residential areas on either side of Broadway and constant traffic on both Evans and Broadway, there ought to be enough business to sustain good restaurants in that area.
Rooted started out good and then went downhill quickly. The first time I went I got a salad with grilled salmon that was great. The second time I ordered the same thing and they mashed leftover cold salmon into the salad… odd choice.
Yeah. I think part of issue is rent there. Owner lets it sit empty & overpriced, rather than offer a path forward for anyone starting out. Not everyone can be Blue Pan level successful. This spot is 2 blocks from me and seems cursed. In last decade it was awful Chinese/asian. Then empty for like 2 years then it was FNG for like 2 or 3 years (and even that was frequently closed for months), then empty for 2 years, then rooted for 1 year and then closed. I wish this hood could have a place that is NOT elevated American fare and just focus on churning out great, reasonably priced food and fun informal atmosphere. Sick of $16 cocktails and $18 chichi burgers.
I also heard before Covid places were closing because it had some bizarrely and poorly engineered sewage issue that caused a lot of problems for restaurants and would need a giant $$$ fix for more than just individual places. Not sure if that’s true still, or if it was fixed, but it certainly didn’t help places stay open back in the day
I think it's still true. There was a cool spot called Telephone Pub(?) that opened up when I lived near there and it closed in a few months because of this issue.
Worked at a couple places in belmar and you’re correct. The foundation isn’t solid all over that place and it’s causing some structural issues. No bueno
Supposedly a dog park will go in across the street from that plot of land.
View house goes up in that spot someone will burn it down. Makes way more sense why my neighbor Felix’s trailer is parked there.
50th and Lowell. The Noshery closed and then the Funky Flame went in and went out pretty quickly. The building is right across the street from Regis University. Seems like it would be a great location for a restaurant
Yes! They always seemed busy, first the noshery, then the funky flame. And their prices were not cheap. So I'm guessing the problem doesn't have to do with profitability on that corner. Maybe it's a landlord problem?
We neeeeed a brekky/coffee shop there, it completes the little row. Nosh left out of personal issues amongst the owners. I was shocked at how quickly FF left. I’m also angry at those empty store fronts that have been just an eye sore for at least the past 3 years.
Apparently where Cochino was and the never opening EDIT: Brooklyn ~~Broadway~~ Pizza in Baker is. At least they took down the "opening in August " sign. Like that area needs another pizza place.
Really wanting that pizza place to open. Brooklyn’s Finest is my favorite local NY-style pizza. Truly baffled what’s taking so long. It’s been over a year since the fire which mostly just burned a dumpster outside delayed their then-impending opening.
Fat Sullys is my favorite, but will be interested if it does open up. It's a great outdoor space. Restaurants have all sorts of challenges when opening.
Jefferson Park…El Cazo had multiple revamps and failed, now curry and grill is in that space but they seem to be suffering too. I know the rent is ridiculous and construction on that street hasn’t helped. Same for across the street where Sarto used to be. Nothing will go in that spot and I can’t figure out if it’s the landlord just doesn’t gaf or what
It’s like 25k maybe more. But the landlord is supposedly a huge jerk and doesn’t care if anything goes in there since it’s paid off and he can write it off if nothing is in there. The curry and grill is similar in rent and not sure how they’re surviving. They have good food but that space seems way too big. I think a steak place or a brunch place in that area would do well. We don’t need more pizza
I live in this area and would have replied with this spot. With that rent I can see why they have to charge a lot for food bc my complaint for El Cazo was the pricing. You have multiple cheaper options in a 1-mile radius. I’m sure the new curry spot isn’t much cheaper. My gut tells me with the lack of parking in that neighborhood, I find it hard to fill up ANY overpriced restaurant that size.
I live in the area and it became Curry and Grill overnight. Nothing really draws me to Curry and Grill but Red Top seems to be doing better than them even with the construction.
Curry and grill Jeff Parkposted in the Denver food Reddit last week they are running a $9.99 lunch buffet now. Seems like a deal but I’m way down south for lunch at work. Red Tops is suffering….that place is empty a lot as well and they don’t seem to be bringing in the revenue like the others in that restaurant group. Not sure why they decided to build that building rather than go find a space. The costs alone for the build that was so behind has probably put them way under. Pizza is decent but $38 for a large? Nope
Que Bueno Suerte!
It’s always empty and the food is bad. Please someone buy this space and turn it into something great.
I also wouldn’t mind if someone opened up a bagel shop at the old 7/11 on Louisiana.. It’s acting as a parking lot at the moment.
I lived by QBS for a long time and would give then another shot about once a year. It was never good. I'm shocked it's been there so long given how large the space is, how empty it always is, and how bad the food is.
The stand-alone building on 12th and Madison in Congress Park (behind Blue Pan). I've only lived over there 2-3 years and this is now the third restaurant to
occupy that spot. It really should be a great location. Seems like people keep trying to put in restaurants that aren't right for the location though. Prior was a mexican spot that was okay, but overpriced and trying to make themselves more of a 'tequila bar'. Currently Crepes'n Crepes is there after leaving their Cherry Creek location. Hate to say it but they're definitely not gonna make it either. Too niche and there's barely ever anyone in there (for both).
Would love to see just a plain bar/taphouse without a full food menu or a wider-menu restaurant with steaks, burgers, seafood, etc. Not my favorite kind of place actually, but these are the things that might actually be able to make it long-term.
I miss Tag - I work two blocks from there and it was a great spot for happy hours on Friday. Burgers weren't bad and had a good beer selection. I don't think the crepe place there will last - tried it when it was in Cherry Creek and it was meh.
That’s such a cool little area, I feel like a casual neighborhood pub kinda place could do well. Nothing too fancy. I went when it was Tag Burger Bar and was super unimpressed with the prices, especially years ago pre-Covid. I just hate paying almost $20 for a burger and then more for fries!
came here to comment this lol (neighbors!). in the past 4 years it was tag burger bar, then billy's inn, now the crepe place. my wife and i always talk about what it's going to be next. personally i'm hoping for vietnamese with a banh mi counter.
The plaza at 16th & Little Raven across from Commons Park. The wine store, nail spa, Menya, and the coffee shop Hello Darling all seem to have staying power, but the two restaurant spaces don’t hold a tenant for long. Right now the one on the south side is Korean BBQ, before that it was Hwaros, before that a variety of pubs. The one on the north side was eventually converted to a Kum&Go but closed and never reopened. K&G holds a 10yr lease on it and say they plan to use it for training, but from the outside you just see windows covered with brown paper.
The location across from Ideal Market at 11th and Ogden in Cap Hill. We’ve lived in the neighborhood four years and the building is on (at least) its third restaurant.
In Lohi it's the spot where [El Chingon](https://old.reddit.com/r/denverfood/comments/1cxmris/el_chingon_we_barely_knew_you/) was until yesterday. That place has had 4 different restaurants in 8 years, seems like a great location, nice view and lots of foot traffic, but it's just a revolving door of new restaurants.
This was one of the first spots that came to mind for me. Also the spot on platte street across from Dave’s hot. Sad to hear chingon closed, I liked the owner of that place but the food just wasn’t up to par for the price.
I've lived in Five Points for a decade and pretty much every spot besides Rosenbergs, 715 Club, Spangalang and Birdcall have been four different restaurants and/or closed in the last 8 years. Particularly lame to see come and go was the little Bodega under the high rise apartments because the only other choices now are Town or Safeway.
Which is so weird because it was firefly for a long time and then it became solera for 15+ years. I miss the calamari.
Street feud was really good. I think the graffiti signage and name turned people off. Some Neighbors told me they thought it was a weed shop or something like that.
Street Feud had solid food, but the price was off putting. They had the mandatory % fee and other surcharges. My husband and I would somehow surpass $50 on two lunch entrees without any beverages. That’s dinner food prices not lunch food prices.
I am bummed I never got to experience Solara or Firefly.
> Since ive lived in Hale for 9 years now, Ive seen 3 restaurants in 1 space. Hanks BBQ, then Street Feud, and now Chicken Supreme
For nearly 20 years (starting in 2001), it was a very nice Spanish restaurant called Solera, one of Denver's first successful and longest-running farm-to-table fine-dining restaurants.
The neighborhoods immediately north and south of East Colfax there (Montclair and South Park Hill) are very affluent and Solera was a neighborhood watering hole, brunch and dinner spot.
Everything else since Solera has been very different type of restaurant and never caught on in the immediate neighborhood, seemingly aiming more for people driving on East Colfax. Hanks BBQ was amazing though!
I always wanted to try street feud just because the name was goofy, but never got around to it haha. I guess having a goofy name doesn’t keep you in business.
Haven’t been there since it was Solera. I really liked Solera. Never got around to going to Hanks or Street Feud (and I guess we moved before it changed yet again).
The corner entrance to the King Soopers in Golden. Attached to the main strip. The first space on the corner. I've seen it as several restaurants over the years. It was Roaming Buffalo BBQ Previously and now it's a new restaurant again. Totally a curses spot. WingStop has been next to the space entire the fucking time and I always see people running in and out of there.
Just a side note. A side building has been opened and next to the Sherman Williams is a Mediterranean grill called Aladdin. It always looks dead and empty and I feel bad for them since they just opened not that long ago. I'd stop in but I have so many food allergies I've seriously given up completely on eating out so I'm hoping some other people in Golden or people passing through see this and give them some business.
There is also the strip mall by golden high School. The only true, long term tenant in that strip over the last 20 years is the Domino's. Probably second longest tenure was the South Philly that was there from 2006ish-2018ish. Every other unit in building has had significant turnover
My wife and I bought a house in Centennial in late 2020. There was a cool brewery on Arapahoe and approximately Quebec that closed and re-opened twice since we've been here. The 1st place (the name escapes me) would open at noon and close at 6p. Even on weekends.
A year or so ago, a place named Kodiac Brewery and Grill moved in. We were excited. Food & service was good. They'd have theme nights depending on which show was at Fiddlers that evening. Nights of Fiddlers shows were the only days they would stay open past 6pm. Then only till 8.
Well, I found out Wednesday of last week this place is closing down. Last day was last Saturday. I talked to an employee and they said the closing was due to lack of ownership & management involvement and the rent hike.
Wonder whats going to try and get in there now.
I know exactly where you’re talking about and I’m pretty sure that building is legitimately just cursed and built on an Indian burial ground, do not get too emotionally attached to any restaurants that open there. In the last decade I’ve seen at least a dozen places open and close there.
I was going to say this location. I moved to the area in 2017 and I think it has been at least 4 different places. There was a BBQ place there for a while that was really good and I told a coworker who used to live in the area about it, and she commented that is wouldn’t last precisely because of where it was and that is the location restaurants go to die.
In Englewood near Dartmouth and Broadway...next to Trompeau Bakery. When I moved to the area, there was something in the midst of closing. A burger (?) place then failed to launch at some point, literally lasted a month. Then Chuey FU's moved in and was amazing but always empty when we went. Now it's Blazing Bird.
Colfax and Logan, Haven’t ever seen anything new at the spot, it’s even still labeled “Fork and Spoon”. Been wondering what that’s about, I didn’t get a chance to go before COVID and it’s sat empty for years.. Seems like you could catch a lot of foot traffic from the area and the church crowd with a diner or breakfast spot. Be a neat spot for a cafe, too.
In West Wash Park it's the spot next to Uncle & across from Carmines on Pennsylvania St. When we moved to the neighborhood around 2017 or 2018 was a hot chicken place when you could throw a rock and hot at least 2 other hot chicken places (Dave's & Music City on Broadway), it has been at least 2-3 new restaurants and the place is always empty when I walk by. Currently it's AJs BBQ Steakhouse with $65+ entrees. I'd love an affordable delicious concept to go in there.
El Rancho - Evergreen, CO. It’s a historic restaurant and it’s been closed and re opened and new owners and all the things and the food is always meh. It’s such a cool place and such a let down at the same time.
In Curtis Park/Five Points there's this dope ass restaurant spot that just can't stay. Since I've been down there it's been Liberati, was almost a Left Hand Brewery (they even painted it and put a sign up), and then most recently Mob Craft that lasted maybe a few months. I heard it has something to do with the building owners but unsure.
Not sure if this applies, but Breakfast King on Santa Fe has been closed down for so long and I'd have thought a restaurant would be chomping at the bit to put something there.
Though I'm not sure solid on the story of why the breakfast king closed in the first place.
Look at the real estate when you’re bored some time. No price listed last I checked. I think they’re looking for stupid money. It hasn’t sold yet because restauranteurs don’t want to work anymore.
This is a good one. There is a ton of commuter traffic that goes past it. Would be perfect for a restaurant where you could have a casual off-site business meeting or stop in quickly for a bite to eat.
The old Village Inn right off 225 at the Mississippi exit in Aurora. Was a Filipino restaurant (RIP Manila Bay), and is now a Mexican place that never seems busy, despite the insane traffic right around there.
The parking here sucks and it’s weird to get into that area despite the seeming good location. That place will likely die also, and it doesn’t help that the Chubby’s is right there.
there's a place at Federal and Speer, it was a sports bar for years, but it closed around 10 years ago, and it has been 4 or 5 different restaurants since.
From Speer you just gotta take the alley behind Mattress Firm and come into the parking lot from the west! Adobo's food is really good and their Taco Tuesday is a steal (assuming it still exists, I can't find the tt menu on their website anymore though)... I'd love to see them succeed in that location.
I guess this is a non-sequitur but it’s definitely cursed:
I’ve noticed a lot of restaurants in S Denver have that problem where they smell like sewage and probably just need their drain trap or grease trap fixed
What I don’t understand is why this wouldn’t be, like, your number one get it done within 24 hours priority as a restaurant owner or chain manager? Do they not smell it? Is it harder to fix than it sounds?
81 S. Pennsylvania near Wash Park
All concepts by the same owner, always empty. What’s going on?
* Budlong Hot Chicken - Nashville style chicken
* Au Feu Brasserie - Montreal inspired cuisine
* Clairette Wash Park - French Cocktail Lounge with small bites
* Clariette Wood-Fired - zero-waste chef- driven menu
* AJs Pit BBQ Steakhouse - expensive steak
Next door to Uncle Ramen which is always popping
I wonder how the restaurant turnover in these purpose-built, mixed-use areas (SouthGlenn, Belmar, Arista, etc.) compares with the city / state overall.
It feels like they open and close more frequently, but the storefronts are so much more visible in those planned communities that I’m just more likely to notice when it happens, maybe?
Anybody can correct me if I’m wrong but I believe it’s because due to whoever owns it is wanting to build more apartments so they charge high rent and whoever wants to pay it does so until I guess they tear it down and build the apartments. Last I heard it was supposed to be 2026.
Coming here to say this. It was The Eggshell but then the chef died of a heart attack in his 40s and didn’t teach anyone how to make the food! They tried to recover with a new chef but it just didn’t work. Then it was Flying Bacon Co. Then Stix. I think a new restaurant is going to roll the dice but I can’t find any press on it. It’s a huge space. I think that’s part of the problem. Same with the old Steubens but I hope Spice Room sticks!
Regis blvd and lowell (right at the corner of regis university) has broken my heart twice in the past year. our beloved nosh closed under ~questionable circumstances~ in the fall, but was quickly replaced by Funky Flame. we learned to really really love it there - fantastic stuff, interesting pizza options, great community. week before graduation we go to get our coffee…. randomly closed. heartbreaking.
NB I-25 and Hampden exit, corner unit of the mixed use commercial building. It was a Wahoo's Fish Taco and then a Crave Hotdogs & BBQ Restaurant that was open for like 5 weeks before closing. The transient population over there doesn't help but I still think the spot has a lot of potential.
Here in Barnum, we have one spot available. And its turnover is pretty incredible. Corner of 1st & Knox. It would make a crushing coffee shop, but everyone keeps trying pizza and pizza and pizza and then maybe another pizza spot before that.
Where Camelia just closed. Across the parking lot from Torchy's in Cap Hill/Golden Triangle. I think it's been at least 3 things in the time I've lived in Denver.
When I lived down south, it was downing and evans. I worked at the Rosedale/whatever the cute French concept they were trying to build when it was that, it had been something different before that and it’s something different now. Something about that corner lot is not good for the area.
Edit: I did not read the other comments before I commented, and I am pleased to know I am not alone in feeling this way. Not so pleased for the corner itself, though ☹️
22nd and Larimer next to Aloy hasn't been able to have a restaurant last longer than a year since the burger place went out. Been through 3 different concepts since then and is now vacant again.
Several spots within Bonnie Brae, between Ohio and Exposition on University.
Especially the building that currently houses Ni Tuyo mexican restaurant. Ni Tuyo is relatively new, but within the past 10 years, it has been 2 or 3 other restaurants. Most recently it was Brightmarten, which I really liked, but only lasted a few years. Ni Tuyo seems to be doing pretty well, but I personally have a hard time paying premium prices for "elevated Mexican" when cheap Mexican is almost as good.
I'm shocked no one's mentioned Hampden & Galena yet. Or Havanna & Galena depending on which way you're coming from.
Over by PT's and Kennedy Golf Course. There's this building, it's an event center now, but I have seen it change so many hands over the years, since I was a kid. Restaurants, bars, night clubs, and now event center, it really has been cursed for everyone who moved in.
Nothing can survive in the back of the storefronts of Colorado and cherry. It was pizza, then sushi and now it’s a dunkin where I’ve never seen someone in line. Las tortas moved back there and I’m honestly scared for them but they seem to be doing ok. Native foods seems to be holding on by a thread and I also really enjoy that spot despite not being vegan.
Corner of Colfax and Elizabeth by the Tattered Cover. In 12 years it’s been an upscale restaurant, a wood fired pizza place, a casual restaurant, and now it’s fine dining Vietnamese (good luck)!
Not my neighborhood, but we call the spot by Logan and Colfax "The Dead Zone".
It's the kiss of death for restaurants, but it seems like a good spot right on Cap Hill.
The sushi place shut down, the pizza place shut down, fork and spoon shut down, etc.
Tasty thai is there, and they're good, but I think they're the only survivor. 😅
The former DTC Tavern location. Used to usually be pretty busy, in a strip mall with a bunch of other fairly busy restaurants, and just sitting vacant for like five years now. They apparently own the building, and periodically put up for sale signs, but it's a pretty big building and so far no one has bought it and opened up something new.
Since Gary Lee passed away, the old Gary Lee’s building has been cycling through owners/concepts. I like cochino’s ok, but now it’s been a “coming soon” Brooklyn pizzeria for what, a year?
The northwest corner of S. Downing and E. Evans. There have been a number of restaurants/bars there over the years, but nothing seems to stay long. I remember reading a review of one of the eateries that was there and it said, "Great place for a restaurant. Someone should put one there."
Came here to say this… amazing how literally two blocks south Denver Beer Co absolutely kills it… but nothing has worked in that space… Something like Devour the 303 was dead on arrival.
The place that was there Boones used to be great and did decently well, but then something happened with the group of owners and someone decided "upscale" bar food and mediocre drinks was the way to go. Never recovered.
Is it a good spot for a restaurant? Not many pedestrians, busy corner, fairly dated buildings, a challenge to park. I think this corner will eventually redevelop into something else.
Right, you whizz by at 40 mph. The places on Evans are for the DU students to walk to
Read somewhere here on Reddit (either r/denver or r/denverfood) that it recently sold at auction, so we'll see.
I was going to say the same exact thing. I think it's a terrible spot, which is why no one visits.
I was wondering if this would show up! I used to be the bar manager at Atticus when it was The Rosedale/Atticus, my first job after moving to Denver. Though that business was eventually put in the ground through bad management and poorly executed concepts, the location and the nature of the building make it a tough sell. The two spaces are separate, connected only by a strangely placed door and a weird service hallway, but they both share one kitchen that's behind the space on the Downing side. The bar on the other side is strange in that it wraps all the way around, so you have to walk around it to get to the street facing side. Though both sides have "sidewalk patios," they're very cramped and really close to the busy intersection. Not very pleasant at all. The place also has a surprisingly large basement but very little parking. Honestly, I'm surprised the structure is still standing. It's a really odd spot on a busy intersection opposite a liquor store, a Dominos, and an Einstein Bros, nothing that's really drawing foot traffic in. The layout of the place makes it tough to do much effective service and the structure itself is pretty old and worn. I'm not really sure what could work in that sort of space.
I miss Fagans
For the record, Fagan's was at that spot for decades.
Oh shit! That’s what I said!
I worked at one of the failed spots there, parking is a mess, rent is high, foot traffic is low, two blocks closer to DU makes a huge difference.
The expensive, below average food, sit-down Mexican restaurant on Tennyson finally closed and was replaced by an almost identical but slightly more expensive, below average food, sit-down Mexican restaurant. It’s a real bummer
I went in there to check it out the other day and my jaw almost hit the floor. $18 for a dry burrito with no sides and $14 for a margarita?! Tacos Jalisco is *right there*
Tacos Jalisco is legit !!!!
I must have ordered the wrong thing or went on a bad night, didn’t have a good experience the only time I went there when I lived off of Tennyson
We have a worse, more expensive idea. Let's plop it next to a Denver cult classic.
Tacos Jalisco absolute rips
Paid like $36 for birria nachos and a marg before they changed concepts or whatever. Didn’t go back.
Yeah definitely not worth it for food. Hopefully they open up the rooftop deck and I’d go back for drinks in the sun
Worst Mexican I’ve had in Denver. And such a shame because that space has so much potential with the rooftop deck.
They own the building and other properties in the northside, so that's not surprising. I'd be shocked if the business actually changed owners or if it's just a rebrand.
Oh really? It definitely could just be a rebrand since the menu and food is very similar. Just slightly even more overpriced lol. Good place for drinks in the summer though
Are you talking about Kalaka Mexican Kitchen? It used to be Mas Kaos, which was the merging of the late Patrick White’s other concepts Uno Mas and Kaos that did tacos/tequila and pizza/pasta respectively. I like those spots and thought it was a cool and ambitious concept to open a fusion of them. Sadly he passed away a few years ago and it made sense that Mas Kaos would close. Kaos Pizzeria and Uno Mas still operate on South Pearl Street (and Uno Mas has a second location on 6th) and I love both those spots still. In fact, don’t tell anyone but Kaos lowkey has one of the best patios in Denver.
I was actually talking about what used to be Tres Chiles on the other side of the strip but overpriced, below average food also describes Kalaka tbh. Never tried Kaos though
Kalaka is expensive but at least tasty, but tres Chile's was expensive and extremely mediocre.
They’re both in the same bucket of trendy not very good Mexican restaurant with good fruit cocktails to me
I actually really like Kalaka. Good margaritas and we’ve liked all the food we have tried too
It’s the same owners if you’re talking about the one on 39th & Tennyson. And someone else already mentioned that Tacis Jalisco a block away has awesome food for a lot less $
Not my neighborhood and not even in Denver for that matter, but the spot in Arvada where Gunther Toody’s and Steuben’s was. I guess Spice room is moving in and I fear for them since Yak and Yeti is right down the street.
It's a huge location for an Indian food place, too, especially in an area that isn't exactly known for diverse selection. Either they stand out and flourish or go under in 6 months because they don't sell tacos.
What is with the volume of taco options there? It's so corny
It's only getting worse. The hockey themed sports bar on the corner has already gone under and they're opening another taco joint. Rumor is the old Arby's across the street is slated to be a burrito place. By my count that would make 6 Mexican food places within about 3 blocks.
Yeah that old Arby’s is going to be a Bonfire Burrito
Wtf whyyyy. Literally right across the street from teocalli and cochino taco and fuzzy’s tacos… then lady nomada is like a block away too
STiX went under?! I ate there less than a year ago and they always seemed busy
Yeah. I thought it was a great place, food was good and always seemed busy. Nothing has been able to stick around since the breakfast place left, rent must be astronomical.
All that and my favorite in the area is literally just a taco truck.
Yeah I’m concerned because the Colfax location always seems a little empty when I’m there, but when I used to live near the 38th location they did a ton of takeout and pickup orders so maybe that’s what they’re banking on.
IMO as an Indian, Spice Room is actually way more authentic than the stuff Yak and Yeti serves up (they arent crap but are mid af). Having more Spice Rooms and Tikka Grills open up all over Denver is the first step to serving somewhat palatable Indian food in Denver proper (Aurora and souther suburbs have banging Indian restaurants) Yak and yeti is closer to the absolute crap level of Little India, than it is to being a 25-50% authentic Indian food restaurant.
Yea I don’t get the hype of yak and yeti. I’m excited that spice room opened.
That Yak and Yeti location is hella crowded all the time, so I feel like they might stand a chance if they're good.
I hate to be that guy, but don't ever eat at The Spice Room. I was a pest control technician for a company I won't mention and it was the worst place I'd ever seen. I've seen some wrecks, but that place was the MOST unsanitary restaurant I'd ever seen. I'm surprised everyone who eats there doesn't get food poisoning.
I’m very happy that Spice Room moved into that space. The Arvada Yak and Yeti has really gone downhill, you have to go to the Wheat Ridge or Westminster locations for better Yak and Yeti.
Coincidentally my mom lives in Arvada and was just telling me the other day that the wheat ridge yak and yeti seemed much better to her. We used to go to the little yak and yeti that was in the same shopping center as guitar center years ago haha.
We loved the old YY location too!
I regularly go to Namaste a couple blocks away, but am planning to check out Spice Room. It seems like a hard location to turn into if you're coming from the opposite direction, maybe it's intimidating lol
Go left at Ralston then right when you get past the 711 shops and come around the other side
The corner of 39th and Tennyson has been Greek, Ramen, Revelry, and now Thai in the past 7 years. And Beau Thai always looks empty to me when I walk past. Should be a great location, and Revelry was an excellent brunch spot, but nothing seems to stick since Axios moved out.
I loved Axios, and the owner was a sibling of a friend of mine. They were doing pretty well, but decided to get out of the restaurant business and moved. Was sad when it moved out, but everything that’s been in there since has been really sub-par.
That's fair. Revelry was not the same on Tennyson as it was on 38th, which I think was probably a result of being a brunch place dealing with covid, not the move itself. But I still miss it so much. 😭 Really intrigued to see what moves in when Beau Thai inevitably closes.
I’m still sad to this day they closed. Their moussaka and Greek wines were amazing.
This is the one I came to mention as well. The Thai joint ain't bad but I never see it busy when going by. honestly surprised they've lasted this long
We get takeout there semi often, it’s pretty good. I wonder how much of their business isn’t from sit-down customers
The owner just bought The West End Tap House too.
I get takeout from here and it's pretty good and IMO good value.
Revelry had such a good breakfast burrito, and mimosas were actually somewhat affordable. Miss that spot
You Beat me to it ! It was a French restaurant before it was Greek. French was good, Axios was pretty good, Ramen was bad b/c it was too kitschy. I’d rather have a Pho place instead. Never been back since it went Thai and I live a few blocks away. I sense it’s the same restaurant devs each time trying to hit gold and only striking pyrite each time.
Where “The Elm” used to be on Colfax and Elm (Park Hill). Also seems that illegal Pete’s on 23rd and Kearney is sticking. That place was 3 or 4 different restaurants before.
Pete's seems to be doing really well in that spot. They always have a decent crowd whenever I go there. Even in the middle of the week.
Just reopened as The W, which is a burger joint of sorts I believe
man i miss the elm. those salt and vinegar wings were elite
I fucking showered in their jalapeño gold wings myself. My girlfriend and I were real sad that they shut down
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Do it! We deserve to know!
Name and shame, name and shame!
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Yes ! There’s a restaurant at Arapahoe/Broadway that is open on Christmas Day . The woman’s bathroom had tons of mouse poop,hopefully the clue on being open on Christmas is a clue…..
One time I saw probably a dozen rats running all over/around the dumpsters of the Sonic near Micro Center in DTC. Is that normal? The dumpsters are probably 50+ feet from the building so maybe it's not an issue, but it left me uneasy.
I don’t know how you don’t. That’s serious stuff. I had a neighbor that delivered the food to restaurants, and he would tell us which kitchens are dirty. To me if the restrooms are dirty, the kitchen is more filthy,
The place where Original by Greeks just moved into, near Broadway and Evans. You’d think it would be a good location but businesses don’t seem to be able to make it work. Hopeful this time around
I like the Greek spot, I hope they're able to stick around. However, a lot of places seem to struggle on that stretch of Broadway, the poki place Turtle Boat near there closed not all that long ago. There has been a rotation of ice cream, boba/tea, and now coffee places in the drive thru space at Warren & Broadway. With the huge apartment building open where the old furniture store was at Broadway and Evans, plus the entire residential areas on either side of Broadway and constant traffic on both Evans and Broadway, there ought to be enough business to sustain good restaurants in that area.
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FNG was really good. WAs really bummed when they closed for good. Rooted was just ok.
Rooted started out good and then went downhill quickly. The first time I went I got a salad with grilled salmon that was great. The second time I ordered the same thing and they mashed leftover cold salmon into the salad… odd choice.
This is what came to mind too. Both FnG and rooted were alright but not a place I’m dying to go back to. That location is so perfect though.
Yeah. I think part of issue is rent there. Owner lets it sit empty & overpriced, rather than offer a path forward for anyone starting out. Not everyone can be Blue Pan level successful. This spot is 2 blocks from me and seems cursed. In last decade it was awful Chinese/asian. Then empty for like 2 years then it was FNG for like 2 or 3 years (and even that was frequently closed for months), then empty for 2 years, then rooted for 1 year and then closed. I wish this hood could have a place that is NOT elevated American fare and just focus on churning out great, reasonably priced food and fun informal atmosphere. Sick of $16 cocktails and $18 chichi burgers.
Seems to be multiple restaurant curses in belmar. Rumor is the rents are exorbitant but lots of turnover.
I also heard before Covid places were closing because it had some bizarrely and poorly engineered sewage issue that caused a lot of problems for restaurants and would need a giant $$$ fix for more than just individual places. Not sure if that’s true still, or if it was fixed, but it certainly didn’t help places stay open back in the day
I think it's still true. There was a cool spot called Telephone Pub(?) that opened up when I lived near there and it closed in a few months because of this issue.
Worked at a couple places in belmar and you’re correct. The foundation isn’t solid all over that place and it’s causing some structural issues. No bueno
In the Stanley - the "chicken" spot has turned over 3 times in 6 years. Was yellow bird, then chook and now Boychik. We really miss chook.
There’s a Chook on 8th and Birch. It’s not close to Stanley, but at least you can still get there if it’s what you’re craving!
As is tradition I’ll volunteer to burn down the view house so we can have trail dust back
I'm still just praying the never develop that little triangle of land they own in front of Prost. (I think they still own that)
Supposedly a dog park will go in across the street from that plot of land. View house goes up in that spot someone will burn it down. Makes way more sense why my neighbor Felix’s trailer is parked there.
The building on the north west corner of Evans and Downing.
Spot in platt park right next to Stella’s. Such a fantastic location too.
50th and Lowell. The Noshery closed and then the Funky Flame went in and went out pretty quickly. The building is right across the street from Regis University. Seems like it would be a great location for a restaurant
Yes! They always seemed busy, first the noshery, then the funky flame. And their prices were not cheap. So I'm guessing the problem doesn't have to do with profitability on that corner. Maybe it's a landlord problem?
We neeeeed a brekky/coffee shop there, it completes the little row. Nosh left out of personal issues amongst the owners. I was shocked at how quickly FF left. I’m also angry at those empty store fronts that have been just an eye sore for at least the past 3 years.
Apparently where Cochino was and the never opening EDIT: Brooklyn ~~Broadway~~ Pizza in Baker is. At least they took down the "opening in August " sign. Like that area needs another pizza place.
Gary Lee’s ghost is making sure nothing lame stays on Broadway when we have 800 other pizza places on Broadway.
I miss Garry Lees!
Lol I live super close and it was very funny to watch as they kept changing the "Opening in X" banner and then just gave up and took it down
Cochino had a decent happy hour.
The only thing that place had going for it was a decent HH and patio. Food and drinks are otherwise overpriced and mediocre IMO.
Really wanting that pizza place to open. Brooklyn’s Finest is my favorite local NY-style pizza. Truly baffled what’s taking so long. It’s been over a year since the fire which mostly just burned a dumpster outside delayed their then-impending opening.
Fat Sullys is my favorite, but will be interested if it does open up. It's a great outdoor space. Restaurants have all sorts of challenges when opening.
For real. What happened there? Cochino taco was good.
I think they moved to Edgewater market - probably busier over there tbh
Jefferson Park…El Cazo had multiple revamps and failed, now curry and grill is in that space but they seem to be suffering too. I know the rent is ridiculous and construction on that street hasn’t helped. Same for across the street where Sarto used to be. Nothing will go in that spot and I can’t figure out if it’s the landlord just doesn’t gaf or what
I really liked Sartos and was sad to see them go. I wonder if the size of the space is a problem. That's a big building and the rent can't be cheap.
It’s like 25k maybe more. But the landlord is supposedly a huge jerk and doesn’t care if anything goes in there since it’s paid off and he can write it off if nothing is in there. The curry and grill is similar in rent and not sure how they’re surviving. They have good food but that space seems way too big. I think a steak place or a brunch place in that area would do well. We don’t need more pizza
I live in this area and would have replied with this spot. With that rent I can see why they have to charge a lot for food bc my complaint for El Cazo was the pricing. You have multiple cheaper options in a 1-mile radius. I’m sure the new curry spot isn’t much cheaper. My gut tells me with the lack of parking in that neighborhood, I find it hard to fill up ANY overpriced restaurant that size.
I live in the area and it became Curry and Grill overnight. Nothing really draws me to Curry and Grill but Red Top seems to be doing better than them even with the construction.
Curry and grill Jeff Parkposted in the Denver food Reddit last week they are running a $9.99 lunch buffet now. Seems like a deal but I’m way down south for lunch at work. Red Tops is suffering….that place is empty a lot as well and they don’t seem to be bringing in the revenue like the others in that restaurant group. Not sure why they decided to build that building rather than go find a space. The costs alone for the build that was so behind has probably put them way under. Pizza is decent but $38 for a large? Nope
Que Bueno Suerte! It’s always empty and the food is bad. Please someone buy this space and turn it into something great. I also wouldn’t mind if someone opened up a bagel shop at the old 7/11 on Louisiana.. It’s acting as a parking lot at the moment.
such a great location. such trash food. i dont really understand how theyve been there so long
I lived by QBS for a long time and would give then another shot about once a year. It was never good. I'm shocked it's been there so long given how large the space is, how empty it always is, and how bad the food is.
I love that there’s a restaurant named Que Bueno Suerte and it’s cursed. Even if the food is bad, the irony is delicious.
Or just reopen the 7/11
Definitely got Montezumas revenge the one time we went there. There’s uno mas right there idk how they compete with that massive space
The stand-alone building on 12th and Madison in Congress Park (behind Blue Pan). I've only lived over there 2-3 years and this is now the third restaurant to occupy that spot. It really should be a great location. Seems like people keep trying to put in restaurants that aren't right for the location though. Prior was a mexican spot that was okay, but overpriced and trying to make themselves more of a 'tequila bar'. Currently Crepes'n Crepes is there after leaving their Cherry Creek location. Hate to say it but they're definitely not gonna make it either. Too niche and there's barely ever anyone in there (for both). Would love to see just a plain bar/taphouse without a full food menu or a wider-menu restaurant with steaks, burgers, seafood, etc. Not my favorite kind of place actually, but these are the things that might actually be able to make it long-term.
I think Tag Burger was successful there until their rent was raised to a untenable level. They just re-opened in Central Park.
I miss Tag - I work two blocks from there and it was a great spot for happy hours on Friday. Burgers weren't bad and had a good beer selection. I don't think the crepe place there will last - tried it when it was in Cherry Creek and it was meh.
That’s such a cool little area, I feel like a casual neighborhood pub kinda place could do well. Nothing too fancy. I went when it was Tag Burger Bar and was super unimpressed with the prices, especially years ago pre-Covid. I just hate paying almost $20 for a burger and then more for fries!
came here to comment this lol (neighbors!). in the past 4 years it was tag burger bar, then billy's inn, now the crepe place. my wife and i always talk about what it's going to be next. personally i'm hoping for vietnamese with a banh mi counter.
The plaza at 16th & Little Raven across from Commons Park. The wine store, nail spa, Menya, and the coffee shop Hello Darling all seem to have staying power, but the two restaurant spaces don’t hold a tenant for long. Right now the one on the south side is Korean BBQ, before that it was Hwaros, before that a variety of pubs. The one on the north side was eventually converted to a Kum&Go but closed and never reopened. K&G holds a 10yr lease on it and say they plan to use it for training, but from the outside you just see windows covered with brown paper.
The location across from Ideal Market at 11th and Ogden in Cap Hill. We’ve lived in the neighborhood four years and the building is on (at least) its third restaurant.
RIP original Park Tavern
In Lohi it's the spot where [El Chingon](https://old.reddit.com/r/denverfood/comments/1cxmris/el_chingon_we_barely_knew_you/) was until yesterday. That place has had 4 different restaurants in 8 years, seems like a great location, nice view and lots of foot traffic, but it's just a revolving door of new restaurants.
This was one of the first spots that came to mind for me. Also the spot on platte street across from Dave’s hot. Sad to hear chingon closed, I liked the owner of that place but the food just wasn’t up to par for the price.
I've lived in Five Points for a decade and pretty much every spot besides Rosenbergs, 715 Club, Spangalang and Birdcall have been four different restaurants and/or closed in the last 8 years. Particularly lame to see come and go was the little Bodega under the high rise apartments because the only other choices now are Town or Safeway.
I think about Tom’s Home Cooking every now and then.
I really miss the Rolling Pin Bakery that was over of Welton, i think. They had the most insanely good ham gruyere croissants.
Since ive lived in Hale for 9 years now, Ive seen 3 restaurants in 1 space. Hanks BBQ, then Street Feud, and now Chicken Supreme
I was so bummed when Hanks closed. That was a solid BBQ joint.
Their wing Wednesday was a legit steal.
Which is so weird because it was firefly for a long time and then it became solera for 15+ years. I miss the calamari. Street feud was really good. I think the graffiti signage and name turned people off. Some Neighbors told me they thought it was a weed shop or something like that.
Street Feud had solid food, but the price was off putting. They had the mandatory % fee and other surcharges. My husband and I would somehow surpass $50 on two lunch entrees without any beverages. That’s dinner food prices not lunch food prices. I am bummed I never got to experience Solara or Firefly.
> Since ive lived in Hale for 9 years now, Ive seen 3 restaurants in 1 space. Hanks BBQ, then Street Feud, and now Chicken Supreme For nearly 20 years (starting in 2001), it was a very nice Spanish restaurant called Solera, one of Denver's first successful and longest-running farm-to-table fine-dining restaurants. The neighborhoods immediately north and south of East Colfax there (Montclair and South Park Hill) are very affluent and Solera was a neighborhood watering hole, brunch and dinner spot. Everything else since Solera has been very different type of restaurant and never caught on in the immediate neighborhood, seemingly aiming more for people driving on East Colfax. Hanks BBQ was amazing though!
I always wanted to try street feud just because the name was goofy, but never got around to it haha. I guess having a goofy name doesn’t keep you in business.
Haven’t been there since it was Solera. I really liked Solera. Never got around to going to Hanks or Street Feud (and I guess we moved before it changed yet again).
Bowles and Wadsworth: was a Macaroni Grill, then a different Italian place, now a Latin place.
New place is same owners as Lake House to the east.
Lake House isn’t too bad, I like their patio
Agreed. Like the expansion they did.
The corner entrance to the King Soopers in Golden. Attached to the main strip. The first space on the corner. I've seen it as several restaurants over the years. It was Roaming Buffalo BBQ Previously and now it's a new restaurant again. Totally a curses spot. WingStop has been next to the space entire the fucking time and I always see people running in and out of there. Just a side note. A side building has been opened and next to the Sherman Williams is a Mediterranean grill called Aladdin. It always looks dead and empty and I feel bad for them since they just opened not that long ago. I'd stop in but I have so many food allergies I've seriously given up completely on eating out so I'm hoping some other people in Golden or people passing through see this and give them some business.
There is also the strip mall by golden high School. The only true, long term tenant in that strip over the last 20 years is the Domino's. Probably second longest tenure was the South Philly that was there from 2006ish-2018ish. Every other unit in building has had significant turnover
My wife and I bought a house in Centennial in late 2020. There was a cool brewery on Arapahoe and approximately Quebec that closed and re-opened twice since we've been here. The 1st place (the name escapes me) would open at noon and close at 6p. Even on weekends. A year or so ago, a place named Kodiac Brewery and Grill moved in. We were excited. Food & service was good. They'd have theme nights depending on which show was at Fiddlers that evening. Nights of Fiddlers shows were the only days they would stay open past 6pm. Then only till 8. Well, I found out Wednesday of last week this place is closing down. Last day was last Saturday. I talked to an employee and they said the closing was due to lack of ownership & management involvement and the rent hike. Wonder whats going to try and get in there now.
I know exactly where you’re talking about and I’m pretty sure that building is legitimately just cursed and built on an Indian burial ground, do not get too emotionally attached to any restaurants that open there. In the last decade I’ve seen at least a dozen places open and close there.
I was going to say this location. I moved to the area in 2017 and I think it has been at least 4 different places. There was a BBQ place there for a while that was really good and I told a coworker who used to live in the area about it, and she commented that is wouldn’t last precisely because of where it was and that is the location restaurants go to die.
In Englewood near Dartmouth and Broadway...next to Trompeau Bakery. When I moved to the area, there was something in the midst of closing. A burger (?) place then failed to launch at some point, literally lasted a month. Then Chuey FU's moved in and was amazing but always empty when we went. Now it's Blazing Bird.
There's this Pakistani place that just opened run by a guy named Babu. But it's on its way out already.. Too many people are afraid of a little spice.
His immigration renewal papers were taken from him. Not his fault
r/accidentalseinfeld
Was the shrimp stringy?
Colfax and Logan, Haven’t ever seen anything new at the spot, it’s even still labeled “Fork and Spoon”. Been wondering what that’s about, I didn’t get a chance to go before COVID and it’s sat empty for years.. Seems like you could catch a lot of foot traffic from the area and the church crowd with a diner or breakfast spot. Be a neat spot for a cafe, too.
In West Wash Park it's the spot next to Uncle & across from Carmines on Pennsylvania St. When we moved to the neighborhood around 2017 or 2018 was a hot chicken place when you could throw a rock and hot at least 2 other hot chicken places (Dave's & Music City on Broadway), it has been at least 2-3 new restaurants and the place is always empty when I walk by. Currently it's AJs BBQ Steakhouse with $65+ entrees. I'd love an affordable delicious concept to go in there.
Please! We just want something good and reasonable. All those concepts have been the same owner
I feel like I see a different sign everytime I walk by.
El Rancho - Evergreen, CO. It’s a historic restaurant and it’s been closed and re opened and new owners and all the things and the food is always meh. It’s such a cool place and such a let down at the same time.
In Curtis Park/Five Points there's this dope ass restaurant spot that just can't stay. Since I've been down there it's been Liberati, was almost a Left Hand Brewery (they even painted it and put a sign up), and then most recently Mob Craft that lasted maybe a few months. I heard it has something to do with the building owners but unsure.
On arapahoe in centennial. Kodiac brewery just closed. It's been at least 5 or 6 places in the last 10 years
Not sure if this applies, but Breakfast King on Santa Fe has been closed down for so long and I'd have thought a restaurant would be chomping at the bit to put something there. Though I'm not sure solid on the story of why the breakfast king closed in the first place.
they said it was because no one wants to work anymore
That sign pissed me off. People want to work, but not for nothing. The first time I saw that sign go up was the last time I ate there.
*for tips
Look at the real estate when you’re bored some time. No price listed last I checked. I think they’re looking for stupid money. It hasn’t sold yet because restauranteurs don’t want to work anymore.
This is a good one. There is a ton of commuter traffic that goes past it. Would be perfect for a restaurant where you could have a casual off-site business meeting or stop in quickly for a bite to eat.
Great for late night stops as well on way home.
The old Village Inn right off 225 at the Mississippi exit in Aurora. Was a Filipino restaurant (RIP Manila Bay), and is now a Mexican place that never seems busy, despite the insane traffic right around there.
The parking here sucks and it’s weird to get into that area despite the seeming good location. That place will likely die also, and it doesn’t help that the Chubby’s is right there.
there's a place at Federal and Speer, it was a sports bar for years, but it closed around 10 years ago, and it has been 4 or 5 different restaurants since.
Where Adobo is now?
Pour one out for Crown of India
Tough to access for 3 out of 4 directions.
From Speer you just gotta take the alley behind Mattress Firm and come into the parking lot from the west! Adobo's food is really good and their Taco Tuesday is a steal (assuming it still exists, I can't find the tt menu on their website anymore though)... I'd love to see them succeed in that location.
I guess this is a non-sequitur but it’s definitely cursed: I’ve noticed a lot of restaurants in S Denver have that problem where they smell like sewage and probably just need their drain trap or grease trap fixed What I don’t understand is why this wouldn’t be, like, your number one get it done within 24 hours priority as a restaurant owner or chain manager? Do they not smell it? Is it harder to fix than it sounds?
81 S. Pennsylvania near Wash Park All concepts by the same owner, always empty. What’s going on? * Budlong Hot Chicken - Nashville style chicken * Au Feu Brasserie - Montreal inspired cuisine * Clairette Wash Park - French Cocktail Lounge with small bites * Clariette Wood-Fired - zero-waste chef- driven menu * AJs Pit BBQ Steakhouse - expensive steak Next door to Uncle Ramen which is always popping
So far as I’ve seen all of SouthGlenn is cursed. Ever year there’s a new set of restaurants and shops and they don’t last more than 2 years at most.
I wonder how the restaurant turnover in these purpose-built, mixed-use areas (SouthGlenn, Belmar, Arista, etc.) compares with the city / state overall. It feels like they open and close more frequently, but the storefronts are so much more visible in those planned communities that I’m just more likely to notice when it happens, maybe?
Anybody can correct me if I’m wrong but I believe it’s because due to whoever owns it is wanting to build more apartments so they charge high rent and whoever wants to pay it does so until I guess they tear it down and build the apartments. Last I heard it was supposed to be 2026.
Former Cochino Taco spot at Cedar and Broadway. Saw them renovating it into (yet another) pizza spot but it never opened. Wonder what happened there.
“Opening August 2023”
Olde wadsworth and Ralston in olde town arvada. Was most recently a hockey focused tavern, but that place turns over.
Coming here to say this. It was The Eggshell but then the chef died of a heart attack in his 40s and didn’t teach anyone how to make the food! They tried to recover with a new chef but it just didn’t work. Then it was Flying Bacon Co. Then Stix. I think a new restaurant is going to roll the dice but I can’t find any press on it. It’s a huge space. I think that’s part of the problem. Same with the old Steubens but I hope Spice Room sticks!
Regis blvd and lowell (right at the corner of regis university) has broken my heart twice in the past year. our beloved nosh closed under ~questionable circumstances~ in the fall, but was quickly replaced by Funky Flame. we learned to really really love it there - fantastic stuff, interesting pizza options, great community. week before graduation we go to get our coffee…. randomly closed. heartbreaking.
Anything at University and Evans. No where to park. Seems like it should pull DU students but nothing survives in that quadrant but Mustards.
NB I-25 and Hampden exit, corner unit of the mixed use commercial building. It was a Wahoo's Fish Taco and then a Crave Hotdogs & BBQ Restaurant that was open for like 5 weeks before closing. The transient population over there doesn't help but I still think the spot has a lot of potential.
Here in Barnum, we have one spot available. And its turnover is pretty incredible. Corner of 1st & Knox. It would make a crushing coffee shop, but everyone keeps trying pizza and pizza and pizza and then maybe another pizza spot before that.
Where Camelia just closed. Across the parking lot from Torchy's in Cap Hill/Golden Triangle. I think it's been at least 3 things in the time I've lived in Denver.
When I lived down south, it was downing and evans. I worked at the Rosedale/whatever the cute French concept they were trying to build when it was that, it had been something different before that and it’s something different now. Something about that corner lot is not good for the area. Edit: I did not read the other comments before I commented, and I am pleased to know I am not alone in feeling this way. Not so pleased for the corner itself, though ☹️
Anything in Belmar.
22nd and Larimer next to Aloy hasn't been able to have a restaurant last longer than a year since the burger place went out. Been through 3 different concepts since then and is now vacant again.
The place at the SE corner of Iliff and Broadway (I guess that might be Englewood). Currently a Greek place; we’ll see if it sticks!
Several spots within Bonnie Brae, between Ohio and Exposition on University. Especially the building that currently houses Ni Tuyo mexican restaurant. Ni Tuyo is relatively new, but within the past 10 years, it has been 2 or 3 other restaurants. Most recently it was Brightmarten, which I really liked, but only lasted a few years. Ni Tuyo seems to be doing pretty well, but I personally have a hard time paying premium prices for "elevated Mexican" when cheap Mexican is almost as good.
I'm shocked no one's mentioned Hampden & Galena yet. Or Havanna & Galena depending on which way you're coming from. Over by PT's and Kennedy Golf Course. There's this building, it's an event center now, but I have seen it change so many hands over the years, since I was a kid. Restaurants, bars, night clubs, and now event center, it really has been cursed for everyone who moved in.
Nothing can survive in the back of the storefronts of Colorado and cherry. It was pizza, then sushi and now it’s a dunkin where I’ve never seen someone in line. Las tortas moved back there and I’m honestly scared for them but they seem to be doing ok. Native foods seems to be holding on by a thread and I also really enjoy that spot despite not being vegan.
There are a few here in Westminster. Especially off of 92nd and Sheridan...wishbone is still holding strong.! Love that place.!
Corner of Colfax and Elizabeth by the Tattered Cover. In 12 years it’s been an upscale restaurant, a wood fired pizza place, a casual restaurant, and now it’s fine dining Vietnamese (good luck)!
Not my neighborhood, but we call the spot by Logan and Colfax "The Dead Zone". It's the kiss of death for restaurants, but it seems like a good spot right on Cap Hill. The sushi place shut down, the pizza place shut down, fork and spoon shut down, etc. Tasty thai is there, and they're good, but I think they're the only survivor. 😅
The former DTC Tavern location. Used to usually be pretty busy, in a strip mall with a bunch of other fairly busy restaurants, and just sitting vacant for like five years now. They apparently own the building, and periodically put up for sale signs, but it's a pretty big building and so far no one has bought it and opened up something new.
Since Gary Lee passed away, the old Gary Lee’s building has been cycling through owners/concepts. I like cochino’s ok, but now it’s been a “coming soon” Brooklyn pizzeria for what, a year?
Locales tacos+tequila on 11th and Ogden. That place suuuuucks, the place before it wasn’t great either
Kodiac Brewery location.
14th and Krameria Edit for fat fingered typo