Reader: Hate to Break It to You, But Denver's Food Scene Is Atrocious

What does a visitor to Denver need to know about the dining scene? That we have a history that stretches far beyond Denver omelettes, that there are many ethnic options, that the seafood in this landlocked city is plenty fresh, that's it's important to get out to the neighborhoods, and...

By Patricia Calhoun

November 12, 2014

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What does a visitor to Denver need to know about the dining scene? That we have a history that stretches far beyond Denver omelettes, that there are many ethnic options, that the seafood in this landlocked city is plenty fresh, that's it's important to get out to the neighborhoods, and that yes, while you can find bison here, there are many more ways to meet your meat cravings.

But Darnell isn't impressed:

Enough with the pho soup. We get it, it's broth and noodles, and because Vietnamese people are cooking it, you get feel good because you think Denver is somehow diverse. Hate to break it to you, but Denver's food scene is atrocious. The Mexican food is weak and has no identity. I'm still trying to find a real meat market that serves fresh barbacoa and carnitas on Sunday mornings. The BBQ in Denver is absolutely foul and way overpriced.

Denver is known for beer and weed. When people think of New York or San Fran, they think good Chinese and Italian food. Chicago is steakhouses. Texas is Tex-Mex and BBQ. Kansas City is sweet BBQ pork. Denver is...bison?

What do you think of Denver's dining scene? What are the culinary hallmarks here?

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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