The Top Complaints About Dining Out in Denver in 2018

Following an Eater tradition, we asked a group of Denver restaurant writers, journalists, bloggers, and friends of the site to weigh in on the year in food. Their answers to the annual “Year in Eater” survey are revealed in several posts this week. Here, the experts share their biggest grievances from dining out in 2018.

Allyson Reedy, contributor, The Denver Post: That I still can’t get in to Giordano’s because of the hours-long waits.

Ruth Tobias, freelance food and wine writer, multiple outlets: The closure of Rebel. Enough said.

Brittany Werges, Editor-in-Chief, 303 Magazine: Tiny water glasses! It seems to be a trend in general, and it’s fine if they leave you a carafe or bottle at the table, but it’s a pain in the ass when you have to have your tiny glass refilled every five seconds. It’s Denver and so dry here — we need our water.

Linnea Covington, freelance writer, Westword: It grieves me that Denver still lacks a solid ethnic food scene. Sure there’s great places in Aurora or on Federal (Boulevard), but where is the variety? I want more Filipino food, Malaysian, and Dominican! I also would love to see concepts that offer good food for less money. I love Avanti, but it’s hard to go and spend $20 for a single meal not counting drinks and not getting full service.

Lucy Beaugard, photographer and writer, Eater: When Rebel shut its doors.

Denise Mickelsen, Food Editor, 5280 Magazine: Inconsistency.

Callie Sumlin, Associate Food Editor, 5280: The continued presence of “clean eating,” “detoxes,” and other sneaky diets that compromise people’s relationships with food.

Laura Young, Founder, New Denizen Blog: I could probably say this every year, but I would say my one major beef with the Denver food scene is that it still has a ways to go in terms of the diversity of its cuisine. I would love to see more Asian, African, and South American food restaurants come on the scene, especially on the mid-to-high price-point restaurants. These days diners are actively seeking out unique dining experiences, I don’t see why this shouldn’t extend to the type of cuisine being served. It would make Denver an even more vibrant and interesting culinary scene that would be capable of attracting national and international attention.

I do love food halls/markets, but it does feel like a new one is being announced every week, with even more coming for 2019. I’m afraid we are reaching a saturation point in terms of this restaurant format.

Gigi Sukin, Digital Editor, ColoradoBiz Mag: Dessert menus continue to be lackluster.

• All Previous ‘Year in Eater’ Coverage on Eater Denver [EDEN]