There's a new restaurant on the northeast corner of South Federal Boulevard and West Evans Avenue, and surprisingly — given the food scene in the area — it's neither a pho shop nor a taqueria. Lancer's Diner, which opened on Friday, is a breakfast-and-lunch spot serving homestyle cooking and flat-top fare in the space that previously held Cowbobas.
Owner Kathy Frangiskakis says the food is "old-fashioned, homemade...affordable and family-oriented," noting that even the fries are hand-cut daily. The name of the restaurant comes from the Lancers mascot of Lincoln High School, across the street. "That way, the kids will feel part of the restaurant and the restaurant will feel part of the community," she adds.
To help welcome students, Lancer's menu includes a $2.99 breakfast and a $4.99 lunch just for Lincoln High attendees. But there's also a $6.99 special that changes monthly for all customers.
While the Lancer's name is new, longtime Denver residents may recognize the Frangiskakis name: From 1998 to 2005, Kathy Frangiskakis was co-owner of Kathy & Bill's Diner in Aurora, a neighborhood joint that won several Westword Best of Denver awards over the years for its meatloaf, budget breakfasts and comfort-food menu.
Lancer's is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sundays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
If you're wondering what happened to Cowbobas, just head north a few blocks to 940 South Federal, where the steak-and-smoothie joint relocated in March.