You Are Where You Eat

For me it would be a tossup between Cafe Jordano and Bang. Both neighborhood institutions putting out very good quality food, affordable wine lists and entrees and almost impossible to get a table at prime time. This is so because they cater to their local clientel and don't introduce change just for the sake of change. You always come away satisfied like Thanksgiving dinner.

My vote would be the Cherry Cricket. It's a laid back all are welcome place that has retained its character even after all the development in the neighborhood around it. The menu reflects what Denver is known for - great cheeseburgers, green chili and other "Colorado-style" Mexican food, and a great beer list that includes a good representation of the local microbrews. I grew up in Denver but live in DC, and the Cricket is always one of the first restaurants I visit when I'm home (after El Tejado). As I write this, I'm already anticipating the pint of Guinness and the cheeseburger with green chile strips I'm going to order when I'm back next month.

Mr. Sheehan,
To be succinct, I'm a recently disabled chef who cannot drive. I rely on my boys to take me out once a week to dine. They respect my knowledge and taste as I am also a published food novelist and cookbook writer, so it pisses me off when I reccomend restaurants that don't deliver. My current research is on American peasant food, which entails almost every world cuisine at it's roots.I was sick in bed for a year and a half and these two, I craved.
Brewery Bar II (ambience, green chile and the best handicapped parking..even on snowy nights)
Bud's Bar (I was national hamburger champion in 1995 and adore the dbl. cheesburger, ambience and mixed crowds) It reminds me of K-Paul's, where you sit with strangers and are just pleased to get a seat.
These two mean Colorado to me. Wild Ginger and the Italian deli, next door, are also excellent, but not unique to our state.
Chef Porter Lansing IV

Personally, I love Dozens and it is most definitely Denver to me. I am a native and still get a thrill out of reading the menu with dishes named for our state.
I will also have to say Bennys because it is still the most popular Denver restaurant I know. And even though the food is nothing to shout about, they have a great margarita and Ive been going there since I was a little kid.
Oh! And Pasquinis has managed to not only maintain its popularity but keeps growing.

Jason-

I'm from Lower Merion. Outside of Philly. For the best home-style Italian American food in Philadelphia... Don't miss...
Shank's & Evelyn's
932 S 10th St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 629-1093

The most unique Denver dining experience, for me, is not at any restaurant. Most of my favorite Denver food memories, in fact, involve being handed a cooler-fresh, foil-wrapped burrito by a steadfast (and, I assume, very tired) burrito pusher.

Nothing hits the spot more at 2am, after three Hoegaardens and two vodka cranberries, than a piping hot, three-dollar "cooler-burrito." While there is no "cooler-burrito" restaurant, one might figuratively consider the general idea of the "cooler-burrito" a restaurant all its own.

Petes Kitchen on colfax, been going there since I moved here in 71, dont go there enought anymore, too far but it is my favorite that has lasted, always good food, friendly wait staff, also love Pho 79, eat there a lot because I have Vietnames girlfriend , talk about good food she is a really good cook and I eat vietnamese more than american anymore, but now am an addict, like your column thanks, jerry Also love Thai, been to Thailand 5 times and need to go try the one in Edgewater because have not had anything like in Thailand.

Denver is a growing into an interesting city and 8 Rivers Modern Caribbean Cafe, in the Highland's is making it even more interesting. I stumbled on 8 Rivers when i attended a friends birthday party there. The food is over the top! Jerk Chicken like it was flown in from Jamaica. Reggae plays throughout the restaurant and on the outside patio, it just sets the mood and takes you to a point of prue relaxation.

The evening i was there the Chef came out (Scott) and wished my friend a happy birthday, laughed with us for awhile and told stories of the islands. This place is so has much personal touch - something city restaurants don't often have. He also ordered up a round of his dirty mojitos - his creation made with dark caribbean rum - wow! is all i can say.

So, what makes a a great restaurant - personal touch, great food and some hidden surprises, like the dirty mojito and too good jerk chicken!

My vote would be Steuben's...I've been in Denver for 7 years, and I'm staying. One thing I find interesting about the mile high is that you hardly meet anyone here who is a native. So many transplants. Steuben's menu fits that crowd because it features local classics from around the country, Cuban sandwiches, Lobster Rolls, Fried Chicken, Rhode Island Calamari, and Green Chili Cheeseburgers to name a few. There's always a wide range of customers, from the Tattoo Culture to Park Hill Families, Jeans to Suits, Young and Old. The staff fits the same description, eclectic and authentically Denver.

If "Denver" can be defined as "Denver Metro area"...
...for those who dare to venture outside of Denver's city limits, NoNo's Cafe in Littleton is the best food by a landslide. Family-owned and 10 years in the making, you can't get authentic southern cooking and flavor like this without driving further south of Denver...much further!