Every Opening and Closing This Week: Union Station’s New Eatery and More

In August 2024, one of Denver’s OG restaurant groups, Crafted Concepts, announced some big changes that included the closure of its Union Station seafood restaurant Stoic & Genuine after a decade-long run. Now, the space is serving guests once again as OGO Korean BBQ & Sushi Pronto. The fast-casual eatery’s current menu includes a Korean BBQ bento box filled with four banchan (sides): a choice of proteins such as spicy pork or ribeye bulgogi; sticky rice, japchae noodles or greens; and a dessert for $15.95. Guests can also opt for bibimbap with optional proteins or grab-and-go sushi.

It’s one of the eight openings we reported this week, which includes several expansions. Centennial’s Mr. Taco now has a second outpost on Leetsdale Drive, while California-born fast-casual chain Mendocino Farms debuted a second Colorado location in the Highland neighborhood, after moving into the state last summer. A third is slated to open on 16th Street in May.

To the north, Arvada’s Someplace Else Brewing, which is a favorite for both beer and pinball lovers, has added a Thornton taproom; a Broomfield location is also in the works. In Wheat Ridge, Wings My Way has taken over the former Kickin Wing.

In the south metro area, there were a pair of additions in Littleton, where Sam’s Dumpling Kitchen and Fast as Pho debuted, while Lone Tree has the newest outpost of upscale steakhouse chain the Capital Grille.

Two spots made comebacks this week. South Pearl Street’s Rosie’s Ice Cream is open just in time for the hot weekend after a winter break. It was a much longer pause for Mexican eatery Otra Vez, which is slinging margs again on 16th Street.

We also reported three closures, including Yak & Yeti’s short-lived Greenwood Village location, which is transitioning back to Spice Trade Brewing one year after swapping out the concepts.

Denver Distillery, which was the city’s first distillery pub, closed up on South Broadway after an eight-year run.

In Larimer Square, Ghost Saloon, which opened in the subterranean former home of Green Russell in 2024, has poured its last drink. “There’s just not traffic,” says owner Josh Schmitz, who also operates dance club Disco Pig on the historic block. While that concept continues to do “solid” business, Ghost Saloon “just never hit, and there was never foot traffic. No matter how much money we threw at marketing or anything, we just can’t get anything to stick.”

In other openings and closings news:

• A Japanese restaurant is moving into the former Bono’s in Centennial.
• The owners of Riot BBQ will debut a new smoked chicken joint next week.
• Get a first look at FiNO, the new Mediterranean-inspired eatery in the former Rockbar on Colfax that officially opens Monday, March 23.
• In Parker, Wild Goose Saloon was shuttered abruptly by a business partner while co-owner Chris Dellinger battles cancer.
• Check out the nine most anticipated spring restaurant openings.

Here’s the complete list of restaurants and bars that opened and closed this week*:

Openings

The Capital Grille, 9067 Westview Road, Lone Tree
Ebisu Sushi and Ramen Star, 4044 Tejon Street
Fast as Pho, 10161 West Bowles Avenue, Littleton
Mendocino Farms, 3452 West 32nd Street
Mr. Taco, 6200 Leetsdale Drive
OGO Korean BBQ & Sushi Pronto at Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop Street
Sam’s Dumpling Kitchen, 7541 South University Boulevard, Littleton
Someplace Else Brewing, 2360 East 120th Avenue, Thornton
Wings My Way, 4990 Kipling Street, Wheat Ridge

Reopenings

Otra Vez Cantina, 610 16th Street
Rosie’s Ice Cream, 1083 South Pearl Street (back from winter break)

Closures

Denver Distillery, 244 South Broadway
Ghost Saloon, 1422 Larimer Street
Yak & Yeti, 8775 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village (transitioning back to Spice Trade Brewing)

*Or earlier and not previously reported.

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