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Pete's Kitchen
Pete's Kitchen
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Get Nostalgic With These 12 Classic Diners

These spots will take you back in time.

by Ashley Hughes
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Pete's Kitchen
| Official website
by Ashley Hughes

Classics Week 2015 is winding down, but not before we explore one of the great American institutions: diners. These 12 longstanding Denver eateries provide options ranging from greasy late-night burgers to solid breakfasts. An honorable mention also goes to the Denver Diner, which closed last fall due to a fire—no word yet on if/when it will reopen. Note: The list is presented in alphabetical order.

· All Classics Week Coverage [EDEN]
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· 10 Spots for Breakfast Sandwiches in Denver [EDEN]

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Breakfast King

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300 West Mississippi Avenue
Denver, CO 80223
(303) 733-0795
(303) 733-0795
Here you'll find an extensive menu served 'round the clock. From omelettes to biscuits and gravy, and club sandwiches to chicken-fried steak, the options are plentiful.

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2. Butcher Block Cafe

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1701 38th Street
Denver, CO 80216
(303) 295-2915
(303) 295-2915
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Homemade cinnamon rolls are a big draw at this spot, which actually has three locations in town—two of which serve dinner in addition to breakfast and lunch. The trio has been family-owned for more than 30 years.

3. Davies' Chuck Wagon Diner

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9495 West Colfax Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80215
(303) 237-5252
(303) 237-5252
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There's no shortage of classic Americana at this diner, originally built in 1957. It's since been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

4. Great Scotts Eatery

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1551 Cortez Street
Denver, CO 80221
(303) 428-3558
(303) 428-3558
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This '50s-style diner is outfitted with red-and-white vinyl seats, jukeboxes, and waitresses dressed in retro fashion. The original keeps 24/7 hours, and even hosts classic car shows in the warmer months.

5. Javier's Diner

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3801 Tennyson Street
Denver, CO 80212
(303) 433-4005
(303) 433-4005
From breakfast items to Mexican dishes—you can even choose green chile-topped enchiladas with eggs—there's plenty of comfort to be found. Though without a liquor license, the patio is a great spot to soak up the sun.

6. McCoys

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4855 Federal Boulevard
Denver, CO 80221
(303) 433-9511
(303) 433-9511
Another spot that never closes, McCoys dishes up plenty of classic diner fare, plus has a full bar and ice cream parlor.

7. Moonlight Diner

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6250 Tower Road
Denver, CO 80249
(303) 307-1750
(303) 307-1750
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If you're out by the airport, this chrome boxcar is a safe bet for a bite. Look for plates like liver and onions, corned beef hash, and red or green chili. Finish things off with a shake or malt.

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8. Pete's Kitchen

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1962 East Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 321-3139
(303) 321-3139
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Just one of six eateries in the Pete's conglomerate, Pete's Kitchen is a classic Colfax institution. Open 24/7, you're bound to be in the company of some interesting characters as you take in gyros, hash browns, and breakfast burritos.

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9. Rosie's Diner

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14061 East Iliff Avenue
Aurora, CO 80014
(303) 752-3663
(303) 752-3663
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Rosie's lays the '50s vibe on thick, from the stainless steel exterior to the jukebox and the vinyl-topped stools at the counter. Breakfast is served all day, but there are plenty of other choices on the menu.

10. Sam's No. 3

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1500 Curtis Street
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 534-1927
(303) 534-1927
Visit Website
Its well-trafficked location downtown drew attention from a certain Food Network star. To call the menu lengthy is an understatement, but the pork green chili is a standout.

11. Tom's Diner

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601 East Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 861-7493
(303) 861-7493
Get your fill of breakfast, cheese fries, and blue plate specials at this divey diner, open 24 hours. Stupid questions will cost you 48 cents.

12. Twentieth Street Cafe

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1123 20th Street
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 295-9041
(303) 295-9041
Open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Sunday, Twentieth Street Cafe holds it down with pancake stacks, huevos rancheros, and even some Asian-inspired dishes like fried rice.

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1. Breakfast King

300 West Mississippi Avenue, Denver, CO 80223
Here you'll find an extensive menu served 'round the clock. From omelettes to biscuits and gravy, and club sandwiches to chicken-fried steak, the options are plentiful.
300 West Mississippi Avenue
Denver, CO 80223
(303) 733-0795

2. Butcher Block Cafe

1701 38th Street, Denver, CO 80216
Homemade cinnamon rolls are a big draw at this spot, which actually has three locations in town—two of which serve dinner in addition to breakfast and lunch. The trio has been family-owned for more than 30 years.
1701 38th Street
Denver, CO 80216
(303) 295-2915
Visit Website

3. Davies' Chuck Wagon Diner

9495 West Colfax Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80215
There's no shortage of classic Americana at this diner, originally built in 1957. It's since been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
9495 West Colfax Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80215
(303) 237-5252
Visit Website

4. Great Scotts Eatery

1551 Cortez Street, Denver, CO 80221
This '50s-style diner is outfitted with red-and-white vinyl seats, jukeboxes, and waitresses dressed in retro fashion. The original keeps 24/7 hours, and even hosts classic car shows in the warmer months.
1551 Cortez Street
Denver, CO 80221
(303) 428-3558
Visit Website

5. Javier's Diner

3801 Tennyson Street, Denver, CO 80212
From breakfast items to Mexican dishes—you can even choose green chile-topped enchiladas with eggs—there's plenty of comfort to be found. Though without a liquor license, the patio is a great spot to soak up the sun.
3801 Tennyson Street
Denver, CO 80212
(303) 433-4005

6. McCoys

4855 Federal Boulevard, Denver, CO 80221
Another spot that never closes, McCoys dishes up plenty of classic diner fare, plus has a full bar and ice cream parlor.
4855 Federal Boulevard
Denver, CO 80221
(303) 433-9511

7. Moonlight Diner

6250 Tower Road, Denver, CO 80249
If you're out by the airport, this chrome boxcar is a safe bet for a bite. Look for plates like liver and onions, corned beef hash, and red or green chili. Finish things off with a shake or malt.
6250 Tower Road
Denver, CO 80249
(303) 307-1750
Visit Website

8. Pete's Kitchen

1962 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80206
Just one of six eateries in the Pete's conglomerate, Pete's Kitchen is a classic Colfax institution. Open 24/7, you're bound to be in the company of some interesting characters as you take in gyros, hash browns, and breakfast burritos.
1962 East Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 321-3139
Visit Website

9. Rosie's Diner

14061 East Iliff Avenue, Aurora, CO 80014
Rosie's lays the '50s vibe on thick, from the stainless steel exterior to the jukebox and the vinyl-topped stools at the counter. Breakfast is served all day, but there are plenty of other choices on the menu.
14061 East Iliff Avenue
Aurora, CO 80014
(303) 752-3663
Visit Website

10. Sam's No. 3

1500 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80202
Its well-trafficked location downtown drew attention from a certain Food Network star. To call the menu lengthy is an understatement, but the pork green chili is a standout.
1500 Curtis Street
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 534-1927
Visit Website

11. Tom's Diner

601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80203
Get your fill of breakfast, cheese fries, and blue plate specials at this divey diner, open 24 hours. Stupid questions will cost you 48 cents.
601 East Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 861-7493

12. Twentieth Street Cafe

1123 20th Street, Denver, CO 80205
Open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Sunday, Twentieth Street Cafe holds it down with pancake stacks, huevos rancheros, and even some Asian-inspired dishes like fried rice.
1123 20th Street
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 295-9041

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