Goodbye to Burgers and Dogs: A Second Helping of Westword Food & Drink, August 17-21

Last week, we reported the sad news that Griff's Hamburgers would be pulling out of Colorado to focus on its markets in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico. The Arvada location was already dark at that point, but the South Broadway branch was still peddling burgers and fries, even as a sign in the door announced its imminent departure. But this week the Closed sign went up for good there, too, bringing an end to five decades of Griff's in Denver. While many of us bemoan the loss of old-school fast-food joints, the new model is higher priced fast-casual eateries with more frills — like boozy shakes, clever ingredients and hip decor — to keep a trend-seeking demographic coming in the door.

One such place, from chef Troy Guard (who has already been-there-done-that with burgers and fries), is bubu, the bold bowl concept that started out in a basement space in Larimer Square and graduated to a full-service concept in Lowry this past winter. Gretchen Kurtz helped herself to happy hour at bubu Lowry — and returned after that to sample the rest of the Asian-inspired fare.

Mark Antonation continued his quest for regional Mexican specialties, conquering the tacos al vapor from Los Dos Hermanos on East Colfax Avenue at Xanthia Street, a food truck that has served up the Zacatecan specialty on that corner for at least six years. In other news:
 
RESTAURANTS/BARS OPENING THIS WEEK*
Carbon Beverage Cafe, 1553 Platte Street
Crushed Red, 14643 Orchard Parkway, Westminster
Habit Doughnut Dispensary, 1553 Platte Street
Honor Society Handcrafted Eatery, 16th Street
Revelry Kitchen, 38th Avenue
Tivoli Brewing (Saturday), 900 Auraria Parkway, Suite 240

RESTAURANTS/BARS CLOSING THIS WEEK*
Billy's Gourmet Hot Dogs, Colfax Avenue
Griff's Burgers, South Broadway

*Or earlier, and not reported in a previous Second Helping.