Sneak Peek: Scratch Burrito & Happy Tap Opens Tuesday

Scratch Burrito & Happy Tap, a new restaurant owned and operated by Clay Markwell, formerly of TAG, will open its doors next Tuesday at 4262 Lowell Boulevard. The 2000 square foot space, plus a 500 square foot patio, that used to be home to Shazz Restaurant until 2011, got a full remodel and a brand new mission: serving classic and creative burritos in a casual atmosphere.

The space was changed significantly. The bar facade is new and chalkboards have been added for both food and drink menus. Paper menus will also be available. The kitchen has been modified to allow for an open kitchen feel. Reclaimed wood was added to the bar, counters, and other accents, and the color on the walls is now a soft yellow with blue accents.

With 50 seats inside and another 30 outside, this counter-service restaurant aims to be a favorite and approachable neighborhood hangout. Prices reflect this goal: all burritos are $9.50, all beers are $5, and all specialty drinks are $7. "We'll give guests the option to upgrade to a pitcher of the specialty drinks, many of which will be around $30," Clay Markwell explained.

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A kids menu is also an indication of aiming to be a neighborhood hangout. "I want this to be a place for families where people are not turned off at the thought of bringing their kids," Markwell said. "I have been doing some research on what kids eat and created a menu with plenty of options that I feel will please most of them," he added.

The menu will change often, a reflection of Markwell's affinity for cooking seasonally, but most things will be served in an organic tortilla made by the Colorado Tortilla Company. Guests will be able to choose from eight or more burritos with options that include the No. 1, a Tender Belly adobo pork with black bean puree, grilled vegetables, and quinoa salad combination or the No. 5, which is made with blackened catfish, red beans and rice, pickled corn relish, and old bay slaw. There will also be quesaadillas, empanadas, salads, and other small bites.

As for the "Happy Tap" portion of the restaurant, the bar will pour ten taps, all local beer, featuring Denver Beer Company, Odell, Great Divide, and SKA to start of. Another ten beers options will be available in bottles. "We will also have a specialty cocktail program," Markewell said. "If people want to order a classic Manhattan, of course they can do that, but our specialty drinks will be simple, seasonal, and refreshing," he added.

Scratch Burrito & Happy Tap will open on Tuesday, June 11 and will be open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday and for breakfast and lunch on Sundays.

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