There’s an argument to be made that we simply have too many restaurants in town. But you’d be hard-pressed to choose which ones we could do without. Mestizo’s certainly wasn’t on anyone’s list. Great location. Husband-and-wife owners who lived and breathed community. The fact is, it’s harder than ever to keep a restaurant afloat these
Alively debate is brewing around town, and it has nothing to do with politics or sports. It starts every Tuesday around dinnertime. Tuesday has traditionally been the slowest night of the week for restaurants. To fill empty tables, many owners have turned to one of the oldest promotions in the business: Kids Eat Free. Locally,
The question I’ve heard more than any other over the past few months has been, “Is Rolling Smoke BBQ open?” The second most common comment? “The food is amazing.” It was time to find out for myself. Located at 7100 W. 38th Ave., in the heart of Wheat Ridge, Rolling Smoke BBQ occupies the former
Walk into Little Brazil and one thing immediately stands out: optimism. Located at 7333 W. 38th Ave., owner Kellen Marques greets guests with the same enthusiasm she had on opening day. The difference today is experience. After navigating the challenges of restaurant ownership, she’s emerged wiser, more confident, and determined to trust her instincts. Kellen
There is always something happening in our neighborhood. Businesses opening, others changing direction, owners taking risks, and residents debating what they want their community to become. That constant movement is part of what makes Wheat Ridge and the surrounding area interesting. Sometimes the news is exciting, sometimes disappointing, and often it is a little bit
During a recent movie night, the conversation amongst my friends drifted into reminiscence. Specifically, pizza. Growing up in the 80s, pizza only came to us by way of special events, or sheet pans from the school lunch ladies. Sometimes we’d spend all summer reading, logging books, turning in forms; just to earn enough points through
It’s been a turbulent stretch for restaurants across our community—openings, transitions, and a few uncertain paths forward. Through it all, one thing remains clear: supporting local matters more than ever. If you’re looking for a standout experience, make your way to Himalayan Spice on Tennyson. It’s exceptional. The flavors are bold yet balanced, the spices
Jeff Hurlburt has heard it a thousand times. Someone walks into Clancy’s Irish Pub, orders a beer, surveys their surroundings, and says something like: “Man, I’d love to own a place like this.” There’s a certain romanticism to the idea of owning a restaurant. You may picture yourself welcoming regulars by name, sharing wisecracks with
The effects of the Green on 38th are already being felt and seen on Wheat Ridge’s Main Street on 38th Ave. With much anticipation and attention to detail, the city’s newest park is officially opened for business. Play business, that is. Besides the day-long festivities on opening day, we had already seen the week prior,
It has never been more critical to support your favorite neighborhood watering hole. Rising costs are forcing bars and restaurants into tough decisions. Staff wages are climbing, food and beverage costs continue to rise, and property taxes are escalating. Owners are caught between raising menu prices—risking the loss of loyal customers—or cutting corners on quality,
There’s something about a happy hour at a location that celebrates a happy hour like it should. Calling it a “Happy Hour” is definitely not enough. Maybe a dedicated menu, special prices, live music, shareable food and great friendly service with quick turnarounds on orders. An unusual start to my happy hour this week. Stylus
Mestizo (/mɛˈstiːzoʊ, mɪˈ-/ mest-EE-zoh, mist-, Spanish: [mesˈtiθo] or [mesˈtiso]; fem. mestiza, literally ‘mixed person’) is a term primarily used to denote people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry in the former Spanish Empire – Wikipedia There is something about this small Mexican brewery on 38th and Pierce. Attracting a community of beer connoisseurs and lovers
Patio season is always something to get excited about. Enjoying a meal or just a cocktail outside on the sidewalk or a constructed patio while people watching and enjoying the weather. Usually the patio will be quieter than inside the restaurant but with staffing shortages it could also mean waiting longer for that next refill
Big news this week—GasTown finally got the green light to open their restaurant on 29th Ave! I’m counting down the days to try their menu, all crafted with locally sourced ingredients. Owner Fin, a proud Army veteran, even used reclaimed beams from Walt’s old garage in the build. Fridays are getting wild with Happy Hour
What was once a bustling gas station and mechanic shop is now being reimagined into something entirely new—Gastown, a soon-to-open culinary hotspot in the heart of Wheat Ridge. Founded by Finn Walsh, a decorated U.S. Navy veteran with a passion for hospitality, Gastown will blend history, community and bold flavors into a one-of-a-kind dining experience.
The food scene in Wheat Ridge continues to evolve, bringing both challenges and triumphs to our beloved local establishments. One thing is certain: there is no shortage of passion, dedication, and flavor in this community. As we navigate the highs and lows of the restaurant industry, we want to take a moment to highlight some
You can just imagine how shocked I was after seeing my favorite restaurant in the news, announcing their closure. Benzina at 4839 E Colfax Avenue in Park Hill, is in fact, shutting down. We had just highlighted them in last month’s issue. After 4 years of producing amazing meals and providing top notch service, they
It’s been great to see local restaurants finally adjust their hours to take advantage of the many consumers out there looking for meal or a beverage. Little Brazil on 7333 W38TH Ave is now open every day except for Monday. Great cocktails, delicious menu and live music. Also great to see Colorado Plus Brewery now
When it comes to creating new menus, Chef Robby utilizes seasonal and local ingredients as much as possible. All of our recipes are from scratch and you’ll find hand-shredded cheeses and house-ground sausage on our pizzas. When it’s time to switch the menus for the season, there’s a lot of trial and error before a
The restaurant scene in Wheat Ridge is a dynamic and vital part of the city’s identity, but it’s not without its challenges. As costs of food and labor continue to rise, many local establishments find themselves grappling with the need to balance quality and affordability. While some restaurants enjoy strong community support, higher prices and
Holiday season is upon us, and no one likes to show up to a party or gathering empty handed. Instead of grabbing a bottle of your regular Cabernet or Merlot, get a little creative this year when picking out wines to gift to your host. Instead of the popular Sauvignon Blanc, why not pick up
The food scene is once again heating up in the neighborhood. Super excited that Colorado Plus has reopened after their extensive remodeling project. Love going back to the original menu with the amazing burger. I’m still iffy about the full and no service but I’ll take it. I sit at the bar anyhow. I do
Niya Gingerich sets up her laptop, water bottle, and papers at a corner booth at Edgewater Inn. She signs for orders and talks casually with the bartender on duty. For Gingerich, who took over the historic restaurant in 2023, this is a normal workday. Gingerich owned Local 46 Bar & Biergarten, a beloved fixture in
A mainstay of Wheat Ridge’s bar and restaurant scene is back in business, after an 8-month hiatus to expand and change not only its appearance but its business approach. Co-owner Eugene Kahng has operated the Colorado Plus Brewpub, 6995 W. 38th Ave., in Wheat Ridge for 18 years. During that time, he also volunteered to
