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Buckhorn Exchange
Buckhorn Exchange
Photo: TripAdvisor

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

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Buckhorn Exchange
| Photo: TripAdvisor

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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The Buckhorn Exchange

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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.

Bastien's

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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.

The Fort

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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.

Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs

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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.

El Taco De Mexico

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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.

Elway's

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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.

My Brother's Bar

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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.

White Fence Farm

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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.

Flagstaff House

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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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The Buckhorn Exchange

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.

Bastien's

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.

The Fort

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.

Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs

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.

El Taco De Mexico

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.

Elway's

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.

My Brother's Bar

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.

White Fence Farm

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.

Flagstaff House

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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