Big surprise: Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Feb. 2 and predicted that winter is here to stay, at least until mid-March. With bitter weather and now-crusty piles of snow hanging around Denver, shaking the chill is no easy task. North Face, Patagonia, and Sorel boots are all well and good, but sometimes warming from the inside out is more effective.
These Denver restaurants are dishing up some hearty comfort food that is sure to thaw even the coldest bones this winter.
Steuben’s
This uptown diner, which also has a traveling food truck named Pearl, is the place to go for comfort food. From down-South favorites like fried chicken, shrimp and grits, or spicy cayenne etouffee, to Western staples like the green chili cheeseburger, BBQ beef brisket, or meatloaf, Steuben’s has it all. If you’re too chilly to stay out of your pj’s for too long, go for Steuben’s take-out service, which features the entire menu plus nightly specials.
Euclid Hall (1317 14th St., Denver)
After successfully dishing up Mediterranean fare at Rioja and French cuisine at Bistro Vendome, both located in Larimer Square, chef Jennifer Jasinski decided to try her hand in a more casual, tavern setting. Located right around the corner from Rioja in the old Soapy Smith’s bar space is Euclid Hall, an “American” tavern that features an incredible beer selection and menu filled with handcrafted pub food. From housemade sausages to schnitzels, Euclid Hall feels more German than American, but what do we care? Be sure to ask Ryan Conklin, Denver’s only certified Cicerone, to pair your dish with a beer from his expertly crafted and ever-changing list.
Freshcraft (1530 Blake St., Denver)
Owned and operated by the Forgy brothers – Lucas in the kitchen, Jason behind the bar, and Aaron, well, all over the place – Freshcraft dishes up classic comfort food with an innovative twist. Be sure to try the SDTP Mac n’ Cheese, a heaping portion of corkscrew macaroni mixed with sinful cheddar cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and thinly-sliced prosciutto, then topped with fresh red pepper and basil. If you’re a soup person, Freshcraft offers made-from-scratch French onion or ale and cheese soup, both topped with generous portions of cheese. While the fresh, handcrafted fodder is not to be missed, the extensive beer menu is the highlight of this cozy LoDo locale. With 20 craft beers on tap and over 100 different bottles, Freshcraft is a hophead’s paradise any time of day or night. Ask for a food pairing during lunch and dinner, stop in for a $4 draught during nightly happy hour, or grab a late-night bite until midnight Monday through Thursday or 2 a.m. Friday to Sunday.
Bang! (3472 W. 32nd Ave, Denver)
Tucked away from bustling 32nd Avenue in Highlands Square, is this cozy winter escape, which has been a Denver favorite for a decade. While the menu is small, the dishes are anything but. Bang! serves up heaping portions of to-die-for meatloaf and mashed potatoes, sweet hoisin-glazed baby back ribs, or gumbo served with a thick slice of jalapeno cornbread. Be sure to save room for dessert – the coconut cream pie, gingerbread topped with whipped cream, or malted milk chocolate mouse with toasted hazelnuts is a perfect way to round-out your meal and your tummy. While Bang! serves lunch and Saturday brunch, dinner may be the best time to go, as it is a more appropriate time to head home and curl up in bed with a Bang! food-induced coma.
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