Molly Martin
Audio By Carbonatix
The French dip is a sandwich with some real meat to it. Tradition calls for a crusty French roll, thin shavings of rare beef and a cup of meat drippings, or jus, to go with it. Some accepted variations include horseradish, melted white cheese or even grilled onions. But we aren’t stopping there: One of our current favorites substitutes smoked mushroom for meat, and another stars a unique jus that almost tastes like it has schmaltz (chicken fat) mixed in.
The French dip is a hearty order, for sure, and one that, when done right, can satisfy on all fronts. These ten restaurants are making a classic French dip right – or have come up with versions so tasty that you’ll forgive any unconventional twists.
Here are the ten best French dip sandwiches in Denver:
1600 15th Street 303-623-0534 a5denver.com With so many great meaty options at A5 Steakhouse, why should a simple sandwich be at the top of the list? One reason: wagyu beef, which comes sliced paper-thin and piled high on top of a soft, pre-dipped baguette. Like everything chef Max MacKissock sources for the restaurant, the beef is some of the best he can find. The sandwich also comes with a healthy slathering of horseradish and spicy mustard, which cuts the richness of the tender meat. Find the $14 dip during happy hour on the bar menu only, giving guests the opportunity to watch the cocktail show while dining.
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American Elm uses shaved ribeye for its French dip.
American Elm
American Elm
4132 West 38th Avenue
720-749-3186
amelm.com It takes two hands to hold the hearty French dip at American Elm, but once you’ve grasped it, you won’t want to put it down. Created by executive chef Daniel Mangin, the sandwich comes on a soft Grateful Bread roll, which is piled high with slow-roasted and shaved ribeye and slathered with a slightly spicy horseradish aioli. Use the velvety jus for both the dip and the perfect fries that come with it. The $24 dish is big enough to share…but that doesn’t mean you have to.
Caramelized onions amp up the flavor of this French dip.
Molly Martin
Congress Park Market
2620 East 12th Avenue
303-333-7094
spinellismarket.comLast year, the owners of neighborhood market and deli Spinelli’s bought a longtime market in Congress Park that was once a Piggly Wiggly, gave it a refresh and added a deli. The menu features some Spinelli’s staples, along with a lineup of sandwiches all its own created by chef Michael Neale, whose résumé includes Hop Alley and the Wolf’s Tailor. Among them is a dreamy mash-up: the French onion French dip. Priced at $15.99, its loaded with Thumann’s thick-cut roast beef, Gruyere, caramelized onions and arugula on a sturdy baguette with French onion jus on the side. Like every sandwich here, it also comes with a pickle spear and a piece of fruit, both if which you can grab at the register when you check out.
The French dip at Culture Meat & Cheese is a must for any fan of the sandwich.
Linnea Covington
Culture Meat & Cheese
Head to French 75 for a perfect, simple French dip.
Linnea Covington
French 75
717 17th Street 303-405-7575 french75denver.com While you probably shouldn’t eat this massive sandwich in its entirety, chances are you won’t be able to stop yourself. Yes, the $23 French dip with a side of fries or a salad at Frank Bonanno’s downtown spot French 75 is that good. The hoagie comes from the restaurateur’s nearby bakery, LoDough, and acts as the ideal vehicle for a heap of shaved, mid-rare rotisserie-roasted sirloin. There’s nothing else to the simple but perfect sandwich, save for a bowl of jus for dipping, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
The French dip at Guard and Grace downtown.
Guard and Grace
Guard and Grace
1801 California Street 303-293-8500 guardandgrace.com Since opening in 2014, Troy Guard’s downtown steakhouse, Guard and Grace, has made one of the best French dips in the city. Take note: it’s only available during its lunch service, which runs Tuesday through Thursday. The venue’s own steak seasoning adds flavor to thinly shaved piles of low-and-slow-cooked prime rib on a hearty hoagie that’s griddled with butter and slathered with a fresh thyme-garlic aioli. “We wanted to keep it minimal and showcase the highest-quality ingredients,” says Guard. Dip the creation into the scrumptious drippings (made from steak trimmings), or slather it with creamy horseradish sauce. Either way, this $20 sandwich is this steakhouse’s go-to at lunchtime.
Order the full French dip (shown here) or a half portion from Mr. Lucky’s.
Linnea Covington
Mr. Lucky’s Sandwich
3326 Tejon Street 303-955-0972 711 East 6th Avenue 303-861-5825 mrluckysco.comWith locations in LoHi and Capitol Hill, Mr. Lucky’s has been serving a wide variety of sandwiches in Denver for over two decades. Not much has changed as far as style and offerings – even the prices remain on the lower end compared to other local sandwich shops. This means you can get a French dip starting at $6.25 for a half, or $11.75 for a whole. The dip proves simple, with roast beef and provolone nestled into a crusty baguette. The jus and creamy horseradish are on the side, packaged to-go.
The Smoked Mushroom, a pecan-smoked portobello dip at Pony Up.
Linnea Covington
Pony Up
Poppies is a neighborhood favorite for good reason.
Molly Martin
2334 South Colorado Boulevard
303-756-1268
poppiesdenver.comPoppies has been an institution in South Denver since 1985, so it’s not surprising the French dip here proves to be a timeless classic as well. The prime rib is as tender as the inside of the baguette, which has a good crust to stand up to the jus. Eat it for lunch or dinner – it’s $18 a plate and comes with a nice pile of fries. Or, if you want to change things up, consider the Philly style for just $1 more. It’s the same base as the French dip, but laden with sautéed onions, bell peppers and melted pepper jack cheese.
Try the French dip at Zaidy’s for a classic version of the sandwich. Linnea Covington
