Best Hole-in-the-Wall 2003 | 20th Street Cafe | Best of Denver® | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Denver | Westword
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Best Hole-in-the-Wall

20th Street Cafe

There are three qualifications for a true hole-in-the-wall: It has to be tiny, locals-only, and do something so surprisingly well that it earns the lifelong loyalty of its regulars. The 20th Street Cafe hits the mark on all three. First, it's definitely small -- a dozen or so tables and a six-seat counter in a luncheonette-style storefront. Second, no tourists are going to stumble across it while looking for a Denny's, and if they do, odds are they'll just turn up their noses and keep on walking. And third, the food -- from the chicken-fried steak to the meatloaf and mashed potatoes -- is solid, hearty American diner fare so stick-to-your-ribs good that after one taste, you'll never look at a California veggie plate the same way.

Best Hole-in-the-Wall

20th Street Cafe

There are three qualifications for a true hole-in-the-wall: It has to be tiny, locals-only, and do something so surprisingly well that it earns the lifelong loyalty of its regulars. The 20th Street Cafe hits the mark on all three. First, it's definitely small -- a dozen or so tables and a six-seat counter in a luncheonette-style storefront. Second, no tourists are going to stumble across it while looking for a Denny's, and if they do, odds are they'll just turn up their noses and keep on walking. And third, the food -- from the chicken-fried steak to the meatloaf and mashed potatoes -- is solid, hearty American diner fare so stick-to-your-ribs good that after one taste, you'll never look at a California veggie plate the same way.

Best Place to Feel Like an Unpaid Extra in a Tarantino Film

Breakfast King

It could be the solid, never-gonna-wash-it-out blue of the collars; the funky, unnatural orange-colored trim around the windows; the acetylene glow of headlights through the front windows at 3 a.m.; or just the way those two long-haul drivers keep looking over at you. But at Breakfast King, there are definitely moments when, if Quentin Tarantino's cameras aren't already rolling, someone had better yell "Action!" Quick. Whether you're there with a whole crew planning your next big bank job or alone after leaving the woman what done you wrong, Breakfast King has atmosphere oozing from every cracked-vinyl seat and style to spare. Plus, the grub is exactly what you'd expect from a place just off the interstate: served hot, fast, and in trucker-friendly portions.

Best Place to Feel Like an Unpaid Extra in a Tarantino Film

Breakfast King

It could be the solid, never-gonna-wash-it-out blue of the collars; the funky, unnatural orange-colored trim around the windows; the acetylene glow of headlights through the front windows at 3 a.m.; or just the way those two long-haul drivers keep looking over at you. But at Breakfast King, there are definitely moments when, if Quentin Tarantino's cameras aren't already rolling, someone had better yell "Action!" Quick. Whether you're there with a whole crew planning your next big bank job or alone after leaving the woman what done you wrong, Breakfast King has atmosphere oozing from every cracked-vinyl seat and style to spare. Plus, the grub is exactly what you'd expect from a place just off the interstate: served hot, fast, and in trucker-friendly portions.

Best Spot for Watching the Colfax Nightlife

Tom's Diner

Hookers and junkies and bums, oh my! One night at Tom's is better than a whole week's worth of Cops on cable. True connoisseurs of dive culture will appreciate both the window seats looking onto one of the funkiest street corners in Denver -- the intersection of Colfax and Pearl -- and the sort of nightlife that creeps, crawls, slinks and stumbles right inside and sits down next to you. While the scenery is fantastic (in every sense of the word), the menu offers all your standard diner fare, with the classics done better than most. But even a cup of coffee will cover the price of admission. So grab a seat: No matter what time you wander into Tom's, the show is about to begin.

Best Spot for Watching the Colfax Nightlife

Tom's Diner

Hookers and junkies and bums, oh my! One night at Tom's is better than a whole week's worth of Cops on cable. True connoisseurs of dive culture will appreciate both the window seats looking onto one of the funkiest street corners in Denver -- the intersection of Colfax and Pearl -- and the sort of nightlife that creeps, crawls, slinks and stumbles right inside and sits down next to you. While the scenery is fantastic (in every sense of the word), the menu offers all your standard diner fare, with the classics done better than most. But even a cup of coffee will cover the price of admission. So grab a seat: No matter what time you wander into Tom's, the show is about to begin.

Best Place to Eat on Colfax Avenue

Solera

While some people are content to simply feed their imaginations -- or cater to their animal passions -- on Colfax Avenue, thanks to Solera, it's also possible to satisfy more elevated appetites. You can thank Christian "Goose" Sorensen for that: He's a talented chef who's raised the level of cooking in this kitchen to match the cozy yet dignified surroundings. Expect good fish dishes, excellent mashed potatoes and an overall eye to quality.

Best Place to Eat on Colfax Avenue

Solera

While some people are content to simply feed their imaginations -- or cater to their animal passions -- on Colfax Avenue, thanks to Solera, it's also possible to satisfy more elevated appetites. You can thank Christian "Goose" Sorensen for that: He's a talented chef who's raised the level of cooking in this kitchen to match the cozy yet dignified surroundings. Expect good fish dishes, excellent mashed potatoes and an overall eye to quality.

Best Patio -- Urban

My Brother's Bar

Molly Martin
It's spring, and in Denver, that means it's time to enjoy the crisp, fresh air of an outdoor patio and lots of crisp, fresh beverages. So head straight for My Brother's Bar, but don't be lulled into sitting in the dark, cozy confines of one of the bar's dining nooks. Continue on to the patio out back -- the perfect secluded enclave for everything from first dates to family dinners to hanging out with friends. With moonlight and mountains peeking through the trees -- and the I-25 traffic gentled to the level of the surf -- an evening here is an ideal urban experience.

Best Patio -- Urban

My Brother's Bar

It's spring, and in Denver, that means it's time to enjoy the crisp, fresh air of an outdoor patio and lots of crisp, fresh beverages. So head straight for My Brother's Bar, but don't be lulled into sitting in the dark, cozy confines of one of the bar's dining nooks. Continue on to the patio out back -- the perfect secluded enclave for everything from first dates to family dinners to hanging out with friends. With moonlight and mountains peeking through the trees -- and the I-25 traffic gentled to the level of the surf -- an evening here is an ideal urban experience.

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