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Buckhorn Exchange
Buckhorn Exchange
Photo: TripAdvisor

Lamb, Elk, Buffalo: Denver's Nine Iconic Meat Dishes

by Andra Zeppelin
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Buckhorn Exchange
| Photo: TripAdvisor
by Andra Zeppelin

Meat is big in Colorado and some meat dishes - from steaks to sausages, game to the famous (or infamous, depending on who you talk to), Rocky Mountain oysters - have become staples of the Mile High City. The range of preparations is broad and the caliber of kitchens producing them varied, but one thing is certain: people view them as symbols of our local cuisine. Without further ado, these are Denver's ten iconic meat dishes.


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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. The Buckhorn Exchange

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1000 Osage St
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 534-9505
(303) 534-9505
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This place is an icon itself and the selection of meats will not disappoint but if you have to choose one, let it be the ELK. For $42, guests will get farm-raised elk, grilled with four peppercorn crust. "Broiled Medallions with a velvety texture and flavor hinting of grass and cedar," is what the description says.

2. Bastien's

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3503 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 322-0363
(303) 322-0363
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The Sugar Steak here made a name for itself among meat eaters in Denver. Here's the deal: 16 oz steak in a bourbon and brown sugar marinade.

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3. The Fort

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19192 Colorado 8
Morrison, CO 80465
(303) 697-4771
(303) 697-4771
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A Colorado institution, The Fort dedicates much of its menu to meat. When you go, try the William Bent's Buffalo Tenderloin Filet Mignon. It's an 8-ounce buffalo filet, served with vegetables and Fort potatoes.

4. Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs

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2148 Larimer St
Denver, CO 80205
(720) 746-9355
(720) 746-9355
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What started as a street cart is now a Denver sausage institution. Biker Jim's is famed for its encased game meats, with the Elk Jalapeño Cheddar one being the must-have.

5. El Taco De Mexico

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714 Santa Fe Dr
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 623-3926
(303) 623-3926
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Here's how green chile connoisseur Lori Midson described the version served at El Taco: "full of invigorating spices, deposits of pork and a slew of hot chiles for maximum twang. It embodies everything that you expect from a killer green chile, and a whole lot more." 'nuff said.

6. Elway's

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2500 E 1st Ave
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 399-5353
(303) 399-5353
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This locally-grown steakhouse does justice to meats of all kinds but its bone-in ribeye is killer. 22 oz, $49, certainly a dish to remember.

7. My Brother's Bar

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2376 15th St
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 455-9991
(303) 455-9991
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The Johnny Burger at this understated institution is a famous local dish. For $6.50, guests will get a burger with soft grilled onions, and three cheeses, including jalepeno cream cheese on the bun. This comes served with a tray of condiments, including pickles, a great complement.

8. White Fence Farm

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6263 W Jewell Ave
Lakewood, CO 80232
(303) 935-5945
(303) 935-5945
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This four decade old restaurant serves some of the best - and most famed- fried chicken around. The family-style meal comes with hot corn fritters, pickled red beets, creamy coleslaw, scrumptious kidney bean salad, and special blend cottage cheese.

9. Flagstaff House

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Flagstaff Mountain Rd
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 442-4640
(303) 442-4640
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When one thinks of Colorado meat, lamb is what pops to mind. This iconic Boulder restaurant serves it three ways: rack, loin & braised lamb shank, with white truffle infused heirloom polenta, ratatouille vegetables, goat cheese, and lamb jus.

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1. The Buckhorn Exchange

1000 Osage St, Denver, CO 80204
This place is an icon itself and the selection of meats will not disappoint but if you have to choose one, let it be the ELK. For $42, guests will get farm-raised elk, grilled with four peppercorn crust. "Broiled Medallions with a velvety texture and flavor hinting of grass and cedar," is what the description says.
1000 Osage St
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 534-9505
Visit Website

2. Bastien's

3503 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
The Sugar Steak here made a name for itself among meat eaters in Denver. Here's the deal: 16 oz steak in a bourbon and brown sugar marinade.
3503 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 322-0363
Visit Website

3. The Fort

19192 Colorado 8, Morrison, CO 80465
A Colorado institution, The Fort dedicates much of its menu to meat. When you go, try the William Bent's Buffalo Tenderloin Filet Mignon. It's an 8-ounce buffalo filet, served with vegetables and Fort potatoes.
19192 Colorado 8
Morrison, CO 80465
(303) 697-4771
Visit Website

4. Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs

2148 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
What started as a street cart is now a Denver sausage institution. Biker Jim's is famed for its encased game meats, with the Elk Jalapeño Cheddar one being the must-have.
2148 Larimer St
Denver, CO 80205
(720) 746-9355
Visit Website

5. El Taco De Mexico

714 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204
Here's how green chile connoisseur Lori Midson described the version served at El Taco: "full of invigorating spices, deposits of pork and a slew of hot chiles for maximum twang. It embodies everything that you expect from a killer green chile, and a whole lot more." 'nuff said.
714 Santa Fe Dr
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 623-3926
Visit Website

6. Elway's

2500 E 1st Ave, Denver, CO 80206
This locally-grown steakhouse does justice to meats of all kinds but its bone-in ribeye is killer. 22 oz, $49, certainly a dish to remember.
2500 E 1st Ave
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 399-5353
Visit Website

7. My Brother's Bar

2376 15th St, Denver, CO 80202
The Johnny Burger at this understated institution is a famous local dish. For $6.50, guests will get a burger with soft grilled onions, and three cheeses, including jalepeno cream cheese on the bun. This comes served with a tray of condiments, including pickles, a great complement.
2376 15th St
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 455-9991
Visit Website

8. White Fence Farm

6263 W Jewell Ave, Lakewood, CO 80232
This four decade old restaurant serves some of the best - and most famed- fried chicken around. The family-style meal comes with hot corn fritters, pickled red beets, creamy coleslaw, scrumptious kidney bean salad, and special blend cottage cheese.
6263 W Jewell Ave
Lakewood, CO 80232
(303) 935-5945
Visit Website

9. Flagstaff House

Flagstaff Mountain Rd, Boulder, CO 80302
When one thinks of Colorado meat, lamb is what pops to mind. This iconic Boulder restaurant serves it three ways: rack, loin & braised lamb shank, with white truffle infused heirloom polenta, ratatouille vegetables, goat cheese, and lamb jus.
Flagstaff Mountain Rd
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 442-4640
Visit Website

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