What to do when you’re gay in Denver ... and looking for something to eat.

By Londell Jackson

It’s quite amazing how many different eateries seem to popup almost overnight all across the city. In the area where my husband and I live (Northwest Denver), there seems to be a new shop appearing almost monthly. So, in an effort to help demystifying what’s good out there, I thought I would share my two cents about a few locations we love to visit: Sunnyside Burger Bar, Sassafras, and Sunnyside Natural Market.

When we moved into the Sunnyside/Highlands area about eight years or so ago, the local eateries were few and far between. Outside a handful of Italian or Mexican shops and eateries there wasn’t a great selection to be had. Well the tides have changed and culinary diversity is at our doorstep. Among the newest establishments to come to the ‘hood is Sunnyside Burger Bar.

After several months of renovating the building which used to be a pizzeria located at the corner of West 38th Avenue and Lipan Street, this burger bar offers up some pretty tasty vittles. Offering 12 different specialty burgers, Sunnyside Burger Bar brings us gastropub fare in a laidback atmosphere. We’ve eaten there several times since its opening and have yet to be dissatisfied with our experience. During our most recent visit, we invited a friend who said (of the Little Italy Burger), “I now have a favorite burger!”

Regardless of which sandwich you choose, they are all served on a toasted bun, various fixins and love from the chef. You also have a choice of meat (or non-meat) so you don’t have to settle for beef. Each time we have visited, however, my husband and I always get the Colorado Bison. How they can make a lean meat like that taste like you’re eating a slice of heaven is far beyond my comprehension. Oh, and what’s a burger without fries or rings? Well, which ever you desire, Sunnyside Burger Bar’s got you covered. We typically get one order of each to share, which is more than plenty, even among three people. This joint has a great list of beers both on tap on in bottle not to mention, wine, cocktails, and “boozy shakes.” We haven’t ventured down the shake lane since I’m lactose intolerant, but perhaps when I have a few days off and plenty of time alone, I’ll try one. Come for dinner or come for the happy hour which happens twice, daily featuring $3 select craft beers, $4 wine, and $4 well cocktails.

The cost for three burgers and three beers was around $60 which may sound like a lot but, given the quality of the food and the friendliness of the staff, is well worth the price tag.

Next on my list is Sassafras American Eatery which has two locations: one in Jefferson Park and the other on Colfax in Capital Hill. Sassafras is a breakfast and lunch spot serving up some delectable creole/Cajun inspired eats. Since it’s closest to our house, we frequent the Jefferson Park location. This place is FAR better than Lucille’s in Wash Park, but just as popular and difficult to get into. So, if you want to beat the wait, arrive before 9:45 as it seems the locals are just crawling out of bed to get there by 10am. They are open 7:00am to 2:30pm Monday through Friday and open an hour later on the weekends. I am going to cop out and say EVERYTHING IS AWESOME!!! The beignets, the biscuits and gravies (yes more than one) the fried okra and each and every breakfast option will have you licking the plate. I only order the eggs sardou which are served with fried oysters, but I sample from all the plates at the table. Again, you can’t go wrong with any choice from this place, and it is very reasonably priced: about $30 for two including coffee and juice.

Last, but certainly not least, is Sunnyside Market located at the corner of West 44th Avenue and Tejon Street. This is just what our neighborhood has needed for quite some time: a locally owned market with fresh, good quality foods. Chocked full of organic pantry goods to fresh deli meats, cheeses, and HOMEMADE bread, you cannot go wrong with anything you pick up from this mom and pop shop. Some in the neighborhood have squawked at the prices, but considering they are not a major grocery chain and they are the only quality grocery store within walking distance in the Sunnyside area. I have picked up some of their housemade ravioli which I served at a lunch get together as well as their homemade dessert and an assortment of deli meats to make a snacking plate in lieu of dinner. Oh, and let’s not forget the housemade focaccia bread which you can take away still warm and fresh from the oven. This lovely place does not yet have a website, but you can subscribe to their Facebook page and get updates on all the daily fresh offerings!

I hope you enjoy these recommendations as much as we do. From a not so simple breakfast, to a leisurely lunch or dinner right down to filling your pantry and fridge with tasty treats, I really don’t think you can go wrong. Have fun and don’t forget to experience the world one bite at a time!

The Gay Vegans: Suggestions on being a vegan-friendly restaurant

By Dan Hanley

I thought a bit about the title of this post. I kept going back to wanting to take the word vegan out of it. Most of my suggestions would make any restaurant more guest-friendly. As I am vegan and hope to have more friendly dining experiences at non-vegan restaurants, I finally decided to keep the title as it is.

We have our favorite restaurants and still find ourselves going to new places (new for us) as we find out about a place through friends or online.

If you own a restaurant, manage a restaurant, or have any interest in making a particular restaurant more friendly to potential diners, you might find this list helpful. These are obviously only my opinions, and they are based on how I want to feel when dining out.

If you don't care about vegan cuisine or about having a great place for vegan customers, or if your restaurant is already filled every day and night and you are already as profitable as you want to be, then there is no need to read this.

Here we go!

First, and this one is so important, please, please, please have your entire staff trained on the menu. If someone serving me food doesn't know what is in the food, I become concerned. If it is impossible for your entire staff to know if a dish is vegan or not, then I suggest an ingredients book that they can look at to see if a particular dish is vegan. This is also very helpful with allergies and folks who eat gluten-free. My dining experience becomes so much better when I can trust the server, and a server trained around all of the menu items is one I can trust.

Cream is not vegan. Nor is half-n-half. Training all staff on what is vegan is incredibly helpful. Even better is marking any items that are vegan or that can be prepared vegan. So helpful.

Keep your bathrooms clean. Seriously.

If at all possible, post your menu online. If you have an incredibly popular vegan dish on the menu, let people know that.

Back to training. I am quite comfortable being vegan. I don't talk about it all of the time. I mention it in a restaurant because I want to ensure I can get my dish prepared vegan. I'm not interested in if the server had been vegan, if the server loves cheese, or if the server can't imagine being vegan. This is my dining experience, not theirs.

Unfortunately many vegans have had so much bad luck with ordering vegan, being very clear, and then getting a dish with dairy or some meat stock in it. The result is that they tell the serve they are allergic to dairy, or meat, or whatever. I'd love a restaurant that because of a well-trained staff this was not necessary.

I am vegan. This simply means that I do not eat animal flesh or any by-product of an animal. Including honey. I do not have a restrictive diet. If asked by a server if I have any food restrictions I will typically say that I do not want any crappy food, that I prefer fresh, creative dishes. That's my only restriction. Of course for those folks who have a real allergy (Mike is allergic to almonds) then this is where one would inform the server of the allergy.

Kindness rules. Unkind people should not be hosts or servers. Period.

There you have it. I guarantee that if your restaurant considers what I have just written here, you will not only increase your customer base but you will inevitably delight those same people.

Thanks for reading!

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

The Gay Vegans: Brunch at Linger

By Dan Hanley

Linger is our favorite place to eat in Denver. I have written posts about them before, and our affinity for them boils down to two things: incredible vegan food and amazing hospitality.

Brunch is a great time for friends and family to gather for good food and good conversation while having time afterwards to enjoy a whole day. Now you can do brunch at Linger!

Last week I was living in dream land when I was invited to enjoy a press tasting of their new brunch. Linger now serves brunch from 10:00am - 2:00pm on Sundays.

Because I have been away from the drinking culture for awhile, I had forgotten that a good brunch had good drinks. I didn't try the three, $3.00 cocktails offered at brunch as a special yet everyone around me did and enjoyed them. The $3.00 cocktails include the Linger Mimosa, Bloody Mary and the Coconut Fizz. For those of us who don't drink, they also make delish mocktails.

I started out with the sopapilla and could have just eaten those for the rest of the tasting. Light, delicious and a great addition to any brunch. And available vegan. Two please!

A great accompaniment to the sopapilla is the Anti Milkshake. Naturally vegan. Made with almonds so if you have an allergy you can try the Green Gringo Citrus Horchata which is also vegan.

Next I tried the Chorizo Tacos which are made with Soyrizo and topped off with an avocado aioli. I instantly realized that like their vegan duck buns for dinner, I could easily eat two or three of these at a sitting.


A brunch offering that is similar to their dinner menu is their Breakfast Dosa. We love the Dosa at dinner time as this version is perfect. Complete with a little maple syrup and it's the perfect addition to your table full of brunch delicacies.

Still hungry? You can simply add a side of Brussels Sprouts!

One of the many things we love about Linger is that their menu changes frequently. Don't worry. They always have a wonderful assortment of vegan deliciousness. My fingers are crossed for a vegan French Toast! Mmmm.

Linger is at 2030 West 30th Avenue in Denver's LoHi neighborhood. Their phone number is 303.993.3120. Reservations are highly recommended.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

Nice to see StevieB: Thai Me Up

By Stevie B

I have found myself addicted. Again.

I go through phases where I cannot get enough of one type of food. Last fall I stood in front of my favorite, and recently closed, Japanese fast-food restaurant and shook my fist and the locked front door. I had been eating lunch there almost every day for six months and without even consulting me, they closed the location. The betrayal of closing my favorite restaurant helped me spiral down into a cheese pizza tirade that lasted four months.

Although I still visit the cuisine of Japan regularly, I have gone to Thailand to find love. Peanut sauce and curry love. My fascination with the food of Thailand has grown to the point that I’m now the love slave of a nineteen year old Thai boy, named, Chad. I am at the point where I’ve visited his family’s tiny restaurant so many times that Chad now puts in my order as I walk through the door. As he places my over sized plate of chicken and veggie stir-fry, with extra peanut sauce and crispy garlic, he says, “Your favorite, Keith!” He calls me Keith, but that’s okay. Because I love him, he brings me spicy Thai peanut sauce.

Yesterday I found that I am cheating on Chad, as I have started to teach myself Thai cooking at home. After spending thirty bucks in the “Oriental Food” section of my local grocery store, I have all the ingredients to make a  เตะตูด Thai curry. Ya know, coming from a nerdy Mormon boy, I think I'm learning how to make a great stir-fry. This weekend there will definitely be a trip to Sakura Square and a shopping spree for more supplies. Please, don’t tell Chad. He’s sensitive.

This post originally appeared on Steven Bennet's website Nice to See StevieB. Republished with permissio

Cheap, greasy and delicious?

That's how I like my men and my pizza.

Can you take the whole thing?

The whole 7 lb. burrito from Denver's Jack-n-Grill, that is?

If you can, it's free!

Metromix.com has the dish.