Here’s What to Try at Milk Market, Opening Today in the Dairy Block

With the opening of Milk Market today, 13 restaurant stalls, three bars, and an artisan food market are now within walking distance of thousands of downtown Denver residents and visitors. Located at Wazee and 18th streets, the new market hall is the first of its kind in the neighborhood. Food and drink offerings start as early as 7 a.m. and go as late as 3 a.m. (see pizza by the slice) on weekends. Yes, restaurateur Frank Bonanno has covered all the bases here. Unlike other local halls, he’s behind every single concept. With that in mind, Eater sampled the goods and picked a few favorites. Here they are, followed by a tour of the sprawling marketplace.

The Lou’s at Lou’s Hot Naked is a $6.50 crispy hot chicken sandwich with the right amount of juice, crunch, and heat for just about anyone. Fans of the former Lou’s Food Bar in Sunnyside will recognize this spot, which has a modern diner feel to it. At the counter, nitro Bourbon cider is on tap. For breakfast, starting at 7 a.m. weekdays, there are biscuit sandwiches.

Lou’s Hot Naked is a fried chicken counter with nitro Bourbon cider on tap

The Ruth burger ($7.50) at Ruth’s Butchery is a sleeper hit. It can come fancier with applewood smoked bacon or green chili cheese, but the basic single or double-patty version with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and butcher sauce is a good starting point. At this stall, meat can come prepared or taken to go for cookouts. Other sandwiches include the corned beef, pastrami, and French dip.

Meat curing and butchering is done in house at Milk Market

Mano Pastaria will be a new staple for fresh-made and on-the-go noodles in LoDo. For fans of Bonanno’s Italian restaurants Luca and Osteria Marco, this is an easy first stop. Diners can go for the wild mushroom and truffle cream fusilli ($15) or splurge on the Albina campanelle with lobster, shrimp, and crab in a tarragon-tomato brodo ($24). The seafood comes from Albina By The Sea, just down the hall, which also sells crab cakes and steamers.

Fans of Frank Bonanno’s Italian restaurants Luca and Osteria Marco will want to try Mano Pastaria at Milk Market

Status: Starting Friday, June 1, Milk Market opens from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily at 1800 Wazee Street. Lou’s Hot Naked and Morning Jones open at 7 a.m. weekdays. Moo Bar, Stranded Pilgrim, and Mano Pastaria stay open until 11 p.m. For more information, check the website.

Want more? Check out our Four Things to Know About Frank Bonanno’s Milk Market.