Reader: Did Hard Rock Cafe remodel its food, too?

After fifteen years the Hard Rock Cafe was looking like a fossil, especially as new restaurants -- Lime, Grimaldi's, 5280 Burgers -- joined the lineup at the Denver Pavilions. So this link in the national chain just went through a major upgrade, a floor-to-ceiling makeover of the 11,000 square foot...

By Patricia Calhoun

June 13, 2014

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "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": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

After fifteen years the Hard Rock Cafe was looking like a fossil, especially as new restaurants -- Lime, Grimaldi's, 5280 Burgers -- joined the lineup at the Denver Pavilions. So this link in the national chain just went through a major upgrade, a floor-to-ceiling makeover of the 11,000 square foot space that includes a new, expanded bar with 24 taps -- more than half of which are local microbrews -- and a revamped stage.

There's fresh memorabilia on the walls, and a redesigned menu, too.

But is that enough to make the Hard Rock rock? See also: The greening of Denver Pavilions, with several new restaurants

Says Robert:

Why anyone older than 14 would eat at Hard Rock Cafe is beyond me.

Adds Myke:

Did they remodel the food?

According to Tirey Thomas, regional marketing manager-Western North America, Hard Rock International, HRI put together a culinary council from around the world, including executive chefs, managers, and a research and development team, and spent all of 2013 testing recipes until they came up thirty new menu items (among them the Cowboy Rib Eye and Smoked Beef Brisket Sandwich) and modified nearly as many items already on the menu, including Hickory Smoked BBQ Ribs, Grilled Norwegian Salmon, Hickory Smoked Chicken Wings and the Legendary Burger.

What that burger is legendary for, we're not sure. When was the last time you ate at a Hard Rock Cafe? Have you checked out the remodeled Denver location? See more photos of the Hard Rock's new look here.

Follow @CafeWestword

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Westword has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.

Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

Contact: Patricia Calhoun

Follow:

Facebook: patricia.calhoun.927