New Saigon was Denver’s first
Vietnamese restaurant. (Post / Lyn Alweis ) |
THE USUAL SUSPECT
New Saigon
630 S. Federal Blvd., 303-936-4954
Lunch, dinner daily
VIETNAMESE, $$
WHY WE LOVE IT:
With a hefty menu packed with Vietnamese
favorites and house specialties, New Saigon sets the standard for the fast-growing
Vietnamese food scene in Denver.
There’s something for everyone here
(even fussy kids), but adventurous eaters
will especially love the “Chef’s Specialties” section of the menu.
WHAT TO GET:
Ha Noi Dac Biet (grilled pork and jumbo shrimp in peanut sauce).
THE BACKUP
Chopsticks
2990 W. Mississippi Ave., 303-936-1506
Lunch, dinner daily
CHINESE, $$
WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s not a beautiful restaurant, or a flawlessly managed one, but the dishes that come out of the kitchen make it worthy of its many regulars.
WHAT TO GET: Dan dan
noodles.
THE LEVELER
Columbine Steak House
& Lounge
300 Federal Blvd., 303-936-9110
Lunch, dinner daily
STEAKHOUSE, $$
WHY WE LOVE IT: Who says a steak dinner has to break the bank? There are absolutely no frills here, just big, cheap steaks and even cheaper martinis. Bonus: Big slice of griddled Texas toast with every order.
WHAT TO GET: New York Strip.
THE HAVEN
Grandpa’s Burger Haven
23 S. Federal Blvd., 303-936-4463
Lunch, dinner daily
BURGERS, $
WHY WE LOVE IT: Is it a burger or is it a Frisbee? The 6-inch discs on Grandpa’s griddle are flash-cooked and served hot on buns with plenty of ketchup and onion. Get it to go, then eat it on the hood of your car in the parking lot.
WHAT TO GET: No. 1 combo: Double burger, fries, shake.
THE HIDEOUT
Ha Noi
1036 S. Federal Blvd., 303-975-0919
Lunch, dinner daily
VIETNAMESE, $
WHY WE LOVE IT: Rubbernecking in LoDo is fun, but there are nights when you’d rather not see or be seen. Those are Ha Noi nights, when you can slouch over a rich bowl of pho and make a plan for quitting your job and winning Lotto.
WHAT TO GET: Pho.
THE SCHMEAR
New York Bagel Cafe
2764 S. Wadsworth Blvd., 303-763-8860
Breakfast, lunch daily
AMERICAN, $
WHY WE LOVE IT: Transplanted New Yorkers say head baker Mike Faltermeier makes a bagel worthy of the name. Choose from six flavors of cream cheese, from plain to honey almond to jalapeño.
WHAT TO GET: With more than a dozen flavors, you decide.
THE SLURP
Pho Duy
945 S. Federal Blvd., 303-937-1609
Lunch, dinner daily
VIETNAMESE, $
WHY WE LOVE IT: If there’s a more satisfying, wholesome lunch than a steaming bowl of pho, packed with vegetables and broth, we don’t know what it is. Pho Duy, one of the busiest Pho rooms in the city, turns out one of the city’s best soups.
WHAT TO GET: Pho.
THE UNDERGROUND
Super Star Asian
2200 W. Alameda Ave., 303-727-9889
Lunch, dinner daily
CHINESE, $$
WHY WE LOVE IT: Super Star Asian occupies the top rung of the Denver dim sum ladder. Come for lunch and wave down the dim sum cart whenever it wheels by.
WHAT TO GET: Spiced jellyfish.
THE BARGAIN
Vinh Xuong
375 S. Federal Blvd., 303-922-4968
Lunch daily
VIETNAMESE, $
WHY WE LOVE IT: Be patient, your fresh baguette, ham, pork, salted butter, pickled vegetables, jalapeño and cilantro sandwich is made fresh to order. Also behind the case: Walnut cookies.
WHAT TO GET: Banh mi.
