Reader: Old Chicago became a gateway to LoDo in the early '90s

First things first: Old Chicago is not a Chicago-based chain. It actually got its start in Boulder, but when Old Chicago opened on market Street in 1992, that quickly became the flagship location -- introducing many people not just to LoDo, but specialty beers. At the end of this week,...

By Patricia Calhoun

March 24, 2014

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First things first: Old Chicago is not a Chicago-based chain. It actually got its start in Boulder, but when Old Chicago opened on market Street in 1992, that quickly became the flagship location -- introducing many people not just to LoDo, but specialty beers. At the end of this week, though, it will close for good. See also: Old Chicago will close its longtime Denver flagship on Market Street

Says Robert:

The food at Old Chicago reminds me of the over-priced, bland food you buy at sporting events,and their beers aren't all that either. Who needs this place when you have Falling Rock Tap House?

But other opinions are softened by memory. Says Ben:

My friends and I came of drinking age around the time that opened. We grew up in Adams County and did not really spend a lot of time in what would become LoDo. That Old Chicago became a gateway to places like Modeans, Soapy Smith's, Rock Bottom for us. I, for one, will always have great memories of Old Chicago, Market St and the early 1990s in LoDo.

What was your first introduction to LoDo? What to you think of that neighborhood today?

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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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