If you somehow hadn’t noticed, Denver is expensive. Rent is high, home prices haven’t budged, and the cost of food — whether at the grocery store or in a restaurant — continues to rise.
From increased food costs to rising labor costs, insurance fees and commercial rent, Denver restaurateurs are forced to share the financial burden with their customers by ultimately raising menu prices or adding service fees.
“As someone who’s been in the restaurant field for over 20 years, I’ve never seen the dramatic swings we’ve seen over the past couple of years. It’s impossible for independent restaurateurs like myself to stay open and not pass on the fees we’re getting from every different direction,” said Galen Juracek, owner of Mr. Lucky’s Fine Sandwiches, which serves a half sub, chips and drink for $10. “The cost of everything that it takes to run a business has gone up”
Consumer spending at Colorado restaurants is up 24% on average, from $91.45 per person in November 2022 to $112.95 in June 2023, the highest increase in restaurant inflation nationwide, according to a recent report by USA Today. But the publication also offered some relief for Denver diners, featuring three Denver restaurants – Turtle Boat Colorado Poki Salads, Urban Burma and Rise & Shine Biscuit Kitchen – in its recent list of 100 budget-friendly restaurants nationwide.
“Denver’s maturing as a city, and with growing pains comes paying more for everything, not just food, but also gas, housing and child care,” Juracek said. “It takes more resilience to run a business in a city like this. “
Denver has more to offer than just a few bigger bang-for-your-buck meals around town. When you’re feeling price-conscious the next time you head out the door for a bite, here are eight restaurants in the Mile High City that won’t empty out your pockets:
Sandwiches: Mr Lucky’s Fine Sandwiches
Juracek is always keeping the budget-conscious customer in mind, offering half a sandwich, chips and a drink for under $10 at both of Mr. Lucky’s Fine Sandwiches shops. Every half sandwich on the menu is under $8, and whole sandwiches range from $11.50 to $17.50 for an Italian, the shop’s most popular menu item, with double the meat and cheese.
“We’re not a chain, but we also work very hard to avoid the $20 sandwich and becoming the place people think twice about because of the price point,” Juracek said. “We can fulfill your basic needs for $6. And if money is no object, we can sell you a $17 sandwich.”
3326 Tejon St. and 711 E. Sixth Ave., Denver; mrluckysco.com
Pizza: Pizza Alley
Grab a slice of New York-style cheese pizza that’s bigger than your head for $3.75 at West Highland’s Pizza Alley, which has been spinning dough since 1976. If you have more mouths to feed, the large 18-inch specialty pies are under $25.
3499 W. 32nd Ave., Denver; pizzaalley.com
Thai: J’s Noodles
Whether you visit J’s Noodles & New Thai near Aurora or J’s Noodles Star Thai on Federal Boulevard, you won’t find anything on either menu for more than $20. The recipes might be different (as clarified by J’s Noodles and New Thai owner Judy Teawdeswan, whose nephew owns the other location), but both offer authentic Thai curries, noodles and rice dishes that will make your taste buds dance and have you question why it’s so cheap.
J’s Noodles & New Thai: 1842 S. Parker Road, Denver; jnoodlesnewthai.blogspot.com
J’s Noodles Star Thai: 945 S. Federal Blvd., Denver; jnst2.blogspot.com
Josie Sexton, The Denver Post
Cold sesame noodles and potstickers from Zoe Ma Ma, a Denver and Boulder-based Chinese restaurant with counter service. (Josie Sexton, The Denver Post)
Chinese: Zoe Ma Ma
Edwin Zoe and his mother, Chef Anna, put a lot of love and care into every high-quality ingredient and homey dish at Zoe Ma Ma. So much so that Michelin added it to its list of 30 recommended restaurants in Colorado. But even with the accolades and recognition, the most expensive menu item – the braised beef noodle soup – is only $13.95.
1625 Wynkoop St., Denver; 2010 10th St., Boulder; zoemama.com
Burger: Monkey Barrel
At this neighborhood bar with a pinball arcade and old-school Nintendo Mario Kart at select tables, you can level up with a solid cheeseburger and fries for $8.70. Monkey Barrel “is like your first apartment but with better beer,” according to its website, and its small but mighty bar food menu with prices at $15 and under doesn’t hurt either.
4401 Tejon St., Denver; monkeybarrelbar.com
Chicken: Bourbon Grill
The bourbon, blackened or tangy barbecue chicken portions at Bourbon Grill could feed a family of six or leave you a week’s worth of leftovers. A hidden gem of Denver, Bourbon Grill serves chicken combo platters on a bed of rice with a choice of two sides for $18.91.
571 E. Colfax Ave., Denver; bourbongrilltogo.com
Breakfast: Tokyo Premium Bakery
One of the best almond croissants in town will cost you just $4.80. Platt Park’s Tokyo Premium Bakery, which serves scratch-made pastries, has a line out the door nearly every morning — and for good reason. Whether you’re venturing out for a red bean bun or that delicious almond croissant, everything is under $5.
1540 S. Pearl St., Denver; tokyopremiumbakery.com
Tacos: Tacos Selene
It’s hard to find a street taco under $5 these days, but Tacos Selene, which started as a food truck more than 20 years ago and now has three locations, has stayed true to its $2 price for all tacos, including al pastor, carne asada and carnitas. It makes sense why Denver Post readers voted it the No. 2 taco spot in our 2022 March Madness bracket.
1001 Santa Fe Drive, Denver; 5924 S. Kipling Parkway, Littleton; 15343 E. Sixth Ave., Aurora; tacosselenecolorado.com