Mark Antonation
Audio By Carbonatix
Although National Cheeseburger Day has come and gone for 2020, it’s always cheeseburger day in Denver, which lays claim to being the birthplace of the meaty marvel: Louis Ballast, owner of the Humpty-Dumpty Barrel Drive-in, trademarked the word “cheeseburger” in 1935.
Today his place is just a memory – and a memorial. But metro Denver is still home to some great cheeseburgers, and Mark Antonation recently served up seven favorites of his list of Best Old-School Burger Joints in Denver.
Readers ate it up in their Facebook comments. Says Chris:
My Brother’s Bar is the real deal.
Comments Adam:
Grandpa’s, Crown and Cherry Cricket never disappoint.
Responds Calvin:
Cherry Cricket in Cherry Creek is the bomb.
Adds Paul:
Grandpa’s is a good choice….double cheeseburger…
Notes Shannon:
Yum, Castle.
Beth points out:
Given the impact on our planet, no one should be eating meat these days.
But Joe responds:
In the middle of a pandemic, is there any comfort food better than a great, greasy cheeseburger? Especially if you don’t have to make it?
And David concludes:
Good list, Westword. Well done, for once.
Well, there were a few quibbles. Bob’s Atomic Burgers in Golden didn’t make the cut; nor did Kuma’s Corner or Slater’s 50/50, two outposts of out-of-state concepts that both recently opened in RiNo.
But most cheeseburger fans agreed with our picks. What’s your favorite old-school cheeseburger? Your favorite burger of any kind in Denver? Post a comment or share your thoughts at editorial@westword.com.