Lancer's Diner Opens in Former Cowbobas Spot

There's a new restaurant on the northeast corner of South Federal Boulevard and West Evans Avenue, and surprisingly — given the food scene in the area — it's neither a pho shop nor a taqueria. Lancer's Diner, which opened on Friday, is a breakfast-and-lunch spot serving home-style cooking and flattop...

By Westword Staff

August 16, 2016

We’re $5,500 away from our summer campaign goal,
with just 4 days left!

We’re ready to deliver—but we need the resources to do it right. If Westword matters to you, please take action and contribute today to help us expand our current events coverage when it’s needed most.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$17,000

$11,500

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

There's a new restaurant on the northeast corner of South Federal Boulevard and West Evans Avenue, and surprisingly — given the food scene in the area — it's neither a pho shop nor a taqueria. Lancer's Diner, which opened on Friday, is a breakfast-and-lunch spot serving homestyle cooking and flat-top fare in the space that previously held Cowbobas.

Owner Kathy Frangiskakis says the food is "old-fashioned, homemade...affordable and family-oriented," noting that even the fries are hand-cut daily. The name of the restaurant comes from the Lancers mascot of Lincoln High School, across the street. "That way, the kids will feel part of the restaurant and the restaurant will feel part of the community," she adds.

To help welcome students, Lancer's menu includes a $2.99 breakfast and a $4.99 lunch just for Lincoln High attendees. But there's also a $6.99 special that changes monthly for all customers.

While the Lancer's name is new, longtime Denver residents may recognize the Frangiskakis name: From 1998 to 2005, Kathy Frangiskakis was co-owner of Kathy & Bill's Diner in Aurora, a neighborhood joint that won several Westword Best of Denver awards over the years for its meatloaf, budget breakfasts and comfort-food menu.

Lancer's is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sundays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If you're wondering what happened to Cowbobas, just head north a few blocks to 940 South Federal, where the steak-and-smoothie joint relocated in March.

A message from Food & Drink Editor Molly Martin: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Denver’s evolving dining scene and the latest culinary innovations our community offers.

Support Today