Metro Denver’s food scene has never been as vibrant as it is today, something The Denver Post’s food writers and the rest of the staff of The Know understand. That’s why we’re out on the town as much as possible. Each month, we’ll provide you with recommendations about a few of the dishes we tried over the previous weeks. Want to hear about them early? Subscribe to the Stuffed newsletter, where we introduce one of these dishes every Wednesday.
Little Arthur’s Hoagies
When Little Arthur’s Hoagies opened inside Out of Barrel Taproom in August, it made quite a stir by boasting on social media that “our pizza will be the most expensive in town” at $40 a pie. The backlash came quickly, and owner AJ Shreffler dialed the price back a bit, but in reality, these 20-inch pies cost about the same as other high-quality pizzas around the city — and they are huge: A single slice is enough for a meal. Beyond that, though, they are really, really good.
I paid $37 for a pepperoni and red onion pie with extra sauce, comparable in price to what you might spend at spots like Redeemer Pizza, Famous Original J’s or Blue Pan Pizza. And something else: Picking up my pie at Little Arthur’s gave me some nostalgia for a different era when making a stop for pizza felt more like an event than an afterthought. Their pizzas come in a custom-decorated box, with checkered paper, and the aromas are overwhelming. That’s why we named Little Arthur’s — which got its start selling massive East Coast-style hoagies at popups around town — to our list of the biggest Denver restaurant openings of 2024.
205 E. 7th Ave., Denver; littlearthurs.com
Ramen Star
Ramen is a big deal in Denver these days, and everyone has their favorite spot for slurping (as evidenced by The Denver Post’s ramen bracket in March) in all corners of the metro area. A good one to know about is Ramen Star, where owner and chef Takashi Tamai makes his own noodles using a Japanese noodle press. While Ramen Star also creates chocolate ramen (read about it here), you can also try more classic flavors, including the house specialty, also called Ramen Star ($18). It features a tonkotsu broth, chashu, green onion, beansprouts and pickled ginger. The egg ($2.50) and other toppings are extra. Next time, I think I’ll try the spicy miso.
4044 Tejon St, Denver; ramenstar.com
Paborita Filipino BBQ
With the opening of Magna Kainan, I got to thinking about Filipino food in Denver (there isn’t much of it) and how I hadn’t had lumpia — thin-wrappered Filipino spring rolls — in years. So, I pulled up a food-delivery app on my phone and found Paborito Filipino BBQ, which is one of those small businesses that only exist in cloud kitchens and only for pick-up and delivery. The combination pork BBQ was exactly what I was looking for. For $18.99, it came with two skewers, two cups of java rice, vinegar onion, atsara (papaya and carrot), pancit and lumpia. I also ordered an extra helping of lumpia because a craving is a craving.
810 Vallejo St., Denver (pick-up and delivery only); instagram.com/paborito_denver
Butcher Block Cafe
There aren’t many diners left in Denver. That much is clear to anyone who has lived here for more than a few years — or followed the pages of local media. Which is why it feels so good to sit down at a booth at the Butcher Block Cafe and order a patty melt ($12) on marbled rye with French fries, a side of pickles and an iced tea. There are three Butcher Blocks around town (owned by the same family), but I picked the one that is situated at an intersection of time and place, at the edge of RiNo, across the street from the Pepsi bottling plant. And yes, you’ll find plenty of Pepsi paraphernalia in the Butcher Block — and only Pepsi products on the menu. You’ll also find quick but smiling service, customers from every walk of life, and regulars that the owner and the staff know by name. Whatever your favorite diner meal is, you’ll find it here.
1701 38th St.; facebook.com/butcherblockcafe/
