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Chop Shop Casual Urban Eatery
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Photo: Adam Larkey

The Ultimate Guide to Dining Along East Colfax

by Ashley Hughes
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Chop Shop Casual Urban Eatery
| Photo: Adam Larkey
by Ashley Hughes

Colfax Avenue has been recognized as the longest commercial street in the country, at 26 miles in length, but the notoriety of this thoroughfare often comes from the illicit activities that have plagued sections over time. The grittiness is part of the character though, and East Colfax is now a part of town with a growing scene, including restaurants. For our purposes we've focused on the three-mile stretch between Franklin Street—where Park Avenue intersects—and Monaco Parkway, to bring you 12 ultimate dining options along East Colfax.


· Chop Shop Opens Up Shop on East Colfax [EDen]
· The Early Word On To the Wind Bistro [EDen]
· Meat On a Stick: Get Stuck On Peruvian Anticuchos [EDen]

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Voodoo Doughnut Mile High

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1520 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80218
(303) 597-3666
(303) 597-3666
Visit Website
The doughnut craze reached new heights in Denver when this Portland transplant set up shop. Don’t be alarmed by pastries that resemble blunts or male genitalia, and make sure to give the maple bacon bar a try.

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2. Torta Grill

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1818 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80218
(720) 420-0964
(720) 420-0964
Visit Website
As the name indicates, this spot dishes up Mexican-style tortas, or sandwiches. In addition to topping options like ham, chorizo, eggs and cheese (the Jose preparation), each one is loaded with refried beans, avocado, tomato, onions and mayo, and a choice of jalapeño peppers, chipotle sauce or jalapeño jelly.

3. Pinche Tacos

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1514 York St
Denver, CO 80206
(720) 475-1337
(720) 475-1337
Visit Website
First developed as a food truck, the brick-and-mortar followed in this first location (a second is in West Highland). Modern street tacos are the draw here, with combinations like sweet and sour braised pork belly, triple-cooked beef tongue or roasted chile poblano and creamed chipotle corn.

4. The Uber Sausage

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2730 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 862-7894
(303) 862-7894
Visit Website
Known for its gourmet sausage sandwiches, you’ll find options like the Swiss—a veal and pork sausage, clover sprouts, red onion, parsley, spicy brown mustard and curry seasoning. Don’t miss the homemade chips and tater tots with seasonings like ranch or salt and malt vinegar.

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5. Odelay Tacos

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3014 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80206
(720) 389-8109
(720) 389-8109
Visit Website
Sharing space with the Beetle Bar, Odelay serves street eats like a fish taco with slaw, pico, avocado and blanco sauce, along with a side of mango salsa. Bonus: Every Tuesday pork, chicken and steak tacos are just $1.

6. Trattoria Stella

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3201 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 320-8635
(303) 320-8635
Visit Website
Specials are offered nightly in addition to the regular menu of modern Italian fare. Dishes include sausage and caper pizza, spaghetti bolognese and lamb chops with gnocchi. Panini are also served on weekdays between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

7. Atomic Cowboy

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3237 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 377-7900
(303) 377-7900
Visit Website
The trifecta of watering hole Atomic Cowboy, which houses pizzeria Fat Sully’s and the Denver Biscuit Company, is a unique combination. The three businesses keep different hours, but complement each other in what they have to offer.

8. To the Wind Bistro

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3333 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 316-3333
(303) 316-3333
Visit Website
This cozy spot opened quietly under the helm of Mizuna alum Royce Oliveira, with a well-edited and constantly changing menu. You may find dishes like buttermilk fried chicken, roasted salmon or porcini carbonara on any given night.

9. Bastien's

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3503 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 322-0363
(303) 322-0363
Visit Website
Bastien’s is an old-school steakhouse, with its signature offering being the New York strip sugar steak. The retro atmosphere is conducive to sipping on a martini and starting off with a shrimp cocktail.

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10. Chop Shop Casual Urban Eatery

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4990 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80220
(720) 550-7665
(720) 550-7665
Visit Website
This newly opened quick-service spot from former Zengo chef Clint Wangsnes has a certified sous-vide program that lends itself to the cooking of proteins like chicken, top sirloin and short ribs, found in plated entrees, sandwiches and atop salads.

11. Solera

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5410 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80220
(303) 388-8429
(303) 388-8429
Visit Website
Solera has been turning out Spanish-inspired cuisine since 2001, with a menu of meats, cheeses, modern tapas and larger plates. Don’t miss specials like Wednesday wine tasting, all-you-can-eat mussels on Tuesdays and happy hour Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

12. Phoenician Kabob

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5709 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80220
(303) 355-7213
(303) 355-7213
Visit Website
Enjoy authentic cuisine at this Mediterranean restaurant where you’ll find baba ghanouj, beef shish kabob, gyros and more. There is daily happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., as well as belly dancing performances on the weekends.

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1. Voodoo Doughnut Mile High

1520 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80218
The doughnut craze reached new heights in Denver when this Portland transplant set up shop. Don’t be alarmed by pastries that resemble blunts or male genitalia, and make sure to give the maple bacon bar a try.
1520 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80218
(303) 597-3666
Visit Website

2. Torta Grill

1818 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80218
As the name indicates, this spot dishes up Mexican-style tortas, or sandwiches. In addition to topping options like ham, chorizo, eggs and cheese (the Jose preparation), each one is loaded with refried beans, avocado, tomato, onions and mayo, and a choice of jalapeño peppers, chipotle sauce or jalapeño jelly.
1818 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80218
(720) 420-0964
Visit Website

3. Pinche Tacos

1514 York St, Denver, CO 80206
First developed as a food truck, the brick-and-mortar followed in this first location (a second is in West Highland). Modern street tacos are the draw here, with combinations like sweet and sour braised pork belly, triple-cooked beef tongue or roasted chile poblano and creamed chipotle corn.
1514 York St
Denver, CO 80206
(720) 475-1337
Visit Website

4. The Uber Sausage

2730 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Known for its gourmet sausage sandwiches, you’ll find options like the Swiss—a veal and pork sausage, clover sprouts, red onion, parsley, spicy brown mustard and curry seasoning. Don’t miss the homemade chips and tater tots with seasonings like ranch or salt and malt vinegar.
2730 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 862-7894
Visit Website

5. Odelay Tacos

3014 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Sharing space with the Beetle Bar, Odelay serves street eats like a fish taco with slaw, pico, avocado and blanco sauce, along with a side of mango salsa. Bonus: Every Tuesday pork, chicken and steak tacos are just $1.
3014 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80206
(720) 389-8109
Visit Website

6. Trattoria Stella

3201 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Specials are offered nightly in addition to the regular menu of modern Italian fare. Dishes include sausage and caper pizza, spaghetti bolognese and lamb chops with gnocchi. Panini are also served on weekdays between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
3201 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 320-8635
Visit Website

7. Atomic Cowboy

3237 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
The trifecta of watering hole Atomic Cowboy, which houses pizzeria Fat Sully’s and the Denver Biscuit Company, is a unique combination. The three businesses keep different hours, but complement each other in what they have to offer.
3237 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 377-7900
Visit Website

8. To the Wind Bistro

3333 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80205
This cozy spot opened quietly under the helm of Mizuna alum Royce Oliveira, with a well-edited and constantly changing menu. You may find dishes like buttermilk fried chicken, roasted salmon or porcini carbonara on any given night.
3333 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 316-3333
Visit Website

9. Bastien's

3503 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Bastien’s is an old-school steakhouse, with its signature offering being the New York strip sugar steak. The retro atmosphere is conducive to sipping on a martini and starting off with a shrimp cocktail.
3503 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 322-0363
Visit Website

10. Chop Shop Casual Urban Eatery

4990 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80220
This newly opened quick-service spot from former Zengo chef Clint Wangsnes has a certified sous-vide program that lends itself to the cooking of proteins like chicken, top sirloin and short ribs, found in plated entrees, sandwiches and atop salads.
4990 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80220
(720) 550-7665
Visit Website

11. Solera

5410 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80220
Solera has been turning out Spanish-inspired cuisine since 2001, with a menu of meats, cheeses, modern tapas and larger plates. Don’t miss specials like Wednesday wine tasting, all-you-can-eat mussels on Tuesdays and happy hour Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
5410 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80220
(303) 388-8429
Visit Website

12. Phoenician Kabob

5709 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80220
Enjoy authentic cuisine at this Mediterranean restaurant where you’ll find baba ghanouj, beef shish kabob, gyros and more. There is daily happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., as well as belly dancing performances on the weekends.
5709 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80220
(303) 355-7213
Visit Website

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