Restaurant Roll Call: Every Opening and Closing in July

Win some, lose some. The metro dining scene was busy this past month, with more than two dozen restaurants and bars opening, including the long-awaiting Bear Leek (slipping in under the wire on July 30), as well as new locations of homegrown chains Walter's 303, Teocalli Cocina and Birdcall. Uncle, the Bindery and Maria Empanada opened outposts at Denver International Airport, too.

But there were setbacks, too. El Chingon, which took over the longtime home of El Noa Noa, suffered a kitchen fire soon after opening in June, is still closed. And some favorite watering holes are gone for good. TRVE Brewing poured its last beer, as did the Giggling Grizzly. And Cap City Tavern's then-impending closure even made Mayor Mike Johnston's State of the City speech.

What is the state of this city's restaurant industry? We're still seeing more openings than closings, although restaurateurs warn that costs keep going up and their situation is very, very challenging...particularly on East Colfax Avenue, where construction continues.

But in all the uncertainty, there are still bright spots. Including this: The Bucksnort Saloon is back! The classic mountain bar had encountered some very rocky times over the last few years, but a new owner (and emergency room doc) came up with a cure.

Here are all the openings and closings in metro Denver over the past month.*

Openings

Art Club Coffee, 3659 Navajo Street
Arvada Beer Garden, 9248 West 58th Place, Arvada
BearLeek, 2611 Walnut Street
Big Wave Taco, 10155 East 29th Drive
The Bindery, Concourse A, Denver International Airport
Birdcall, 7503 South University Boulevard, Centennial
Briar Patch, 1222 Madison Street
Bucksnort Saloon, 15921 South Elk Creek Road, Pine
Cencalli Taqueria, 19757 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker
Denver Curry House, 250 Steele Street
Just Kool Jamaican Kitchen, 2000 South Colorado Boulevard (inside Junction Food and Drink)
Krave It, 2210 Blake Street
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar, Boulder, 1855 29th Street, Boulder
La Rocca Rossa, 209 Bear Creek Avenue, Morrison
Louis’ No. 3,11903 West Sixth Avenue Frontage Road, Lakewood
Momma's Kitchen, 1409 West Littleton Boulevard, Littleton
Maria Empanada, Concourse A, Denver International Airport
Merced Cafe and Bar, 9890 West Girton, Lakewood
Onefold, 5960 South Holly Street, Greenwood Village
Postino, 14588 Delaware Street, Westminster
Qué Rico, 1905 29th Street, Boulder
Rose, 1740 36th Street
Ruby’s Good Shoes, 5405 East 33rd Avenue
Samir Restaurant & Bakery, 2700 East Colfax Avenue
Spice Hub and Fox Point Pizzeria, 19795 West Jewell, Lakewood
Sushi by SYC, 1573 South Colorado Boulevard
Teocalli Cucina, 1575 Boulder Street
Uncle, Concourse A, Denver International Airport
Walter's 303 Pizzeria and Publik House, 300 Santa Fe Drive

Temporary Closures

El Chingon, 722 Santa Fe Drive (still repairing fire damage)
Santo Remedio, 3900 Tennyson Street (still updating for permitting)

Closings

California Pizza Kitchen, 3000 East First Avenue
Cap City Tavern, 1247 Bannock Street
Denver Sweet, 776 Lincoln Street
Eggs Inc.,1750 Wewatta Street
Giggling Grizzly, 1320 20th Street
Hooters, 8334 South Willow Street, Lone Tree
La Clare's Patisserie, 2260 East Colfax Avenue
Littleton Cafe, 1409 West Littleton Boulevard, Littleton
Over Yonder Brewing, 18455 West Colfax Avenue, Golden
Sovereign, 5425 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village
TRVE Brewing Company, 227 Broadway

*Or earlier, and not included in a previous Restaurant Roll Call.

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