Where to Find Your Hometown Comfort Food Fix in Denver

Whether you’re looking for a Chicago dog, Texas BBQ, Portland wings or something else, Denver has the spot to cure your culinary homesickness

Leaving your hometown and moving to a new city—be it 100 miles or 1,000 miles—is perhaps the biggest way to get out of your comfort zone.

Every year, thousands of people move to the Mile High City, including new students, faculty and staff who work, teach and study at the University of Denver.

Students in DU’s Class of 2028 hail from 47 states and 35 countries. The top 10 hometowns outside of the state include Chicago, Austin, Portland, Minneapolis, Santa Fe, Houston, St. Louis, St. Paul, Dallas and Albuquerque.

So, if you’re missing your favorite spot for a Chicago dog, craving some Texas BBQ, or longing for a good New York bagel, Denver’s metro area has just the thing to quell those hometown culinary blues.

Have another spot for hometown favorites? Let us know by sending your thoughts to dumag@du.edu.

Chicago: Relish a classic Chicago dog or Italian beef

Located just outside of Denver in nearby Centennial, Chicago Mike’s Beef & Dogs (11405 E Briarwood Ave, Centennial) has served the Mile High City for more than two decades. The menu features the popular Italian beef sandwich, the classic Chicago hot dog, Wisconsin brats and much more.

Another great option, located just across the street from DU’s campus, is Mustard’s Last Stand (2081 S. University Blvd., Denver). With locations in Denver and Boulder, diners have enjoyed Mustard’s for more than 40 years. The cozy restaurant also serves up the classic Chicago style hot dog and Italian beef sandwich and touts its use of local suppliers whenever possible.

Austin, Houston and Dallas: Dig into some Texas BBQ

AJ’s Pit Bar-B-Q (2180 S Delaware St, Denver) specializes in Texas style pit-smoked BBQ, using 100% post-oak traditional pits. They offer smoked meat by the pound and sides including custard-filled cornbread, truffle mac and cheese and pork green chili. Owners Jared and Amanda Leonard have four other Denver-area restaurants, including Campfire Lakewood and Campfire Evergreen, which offer BBQ and wood-fired pizza.

Owner Nick Prince’s Texas roots helped bring Post Oak Barbecue (4000 Tennyson St, Denver) to life. The restaurant offers meats by the pound, plus spareribs, smoked wings, BBQ sandwiches and tacos, loaded baked taters and dirty mac—smoked meat piled on their homemade jalapeño bacon mac and cheese.

Portland: Indulge in a dozen wings and a doughnut or two

Established in Portland in 2005, Fire on the Mountain (300 S Logan St #102, Denver or 3801 W 32nd Ave, Denver) has expanded to two Denver locations and is more than a spot for delicious wings. The restaurant is committed to sustainability and responsible sourcing, composts all food scraps and uses only compostable to-go boxes, bags and cups. They also have a charity of the month program and have donated more than $500,000 to the Denver community since opening in 2012, according to their website.

“Good things come in pink boxes” declares the website of Portland’s own Voodoo Doughnuts (98 South Broadway, Denver or 1520 East Colfax, Denver). With multiple Denver locations and 40 doughnut flavors to choose from, Voodoo is known not only for its colorful to-go boxes but also its unconventional options like strawberry lemonade stand, dirty chai and Oh Captain, My Captain—featuring a layer of Captain Crunch cereal. With 10 vegan options, there is something delectably delicious for everyone.

Minneapolis and St. Paul: Dive into the Juicy Lucy

Lucy’s Burger Bar (4018 Tennyson St, Denver) brought the famous “Juicy Lucy” cheese-stuffed burger to Denver. The establishment also features the Thousand Island dressing-topped “Saucy Sally,” more traditional cheeseburgers and hamburgers, a vegan black bean burger, chicken sandwiches and an all-day breakfast.

Santa Fe and Albuquerque: Savor the Southwest

Kachina Cantina’s (1890 Wazee St, Denver) inspiration lies in the Four Corners region of the Southwest and Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. The restaurant offers menu items such as pozole, quesabirria, four different salsas and various kinds of tacos, with a choice of corn tortillas, flour tortillas or fry bread—as well as a brunch menu.

St. Louis: BBQ without the blues

Though located a bit of a distance from Denver in the northern suburb of Westminster, Sugarfire Smoke House (14375 Orchard Pkwy #100, Westminster) is worth the drive. Those missing St. Louis barbecue can enjoy the fried green tomato sandwich, brisket cheesesteak, pulled pork, brisket, ribs, turkey, salmon, burgers, salad and much more.

A few honorable mentions and international eateries

New York

The Bagel Deli & Restaurant (6439 E Hampden Ave, Denver)

Rosenberg’s Bagels & Delicatessen (725 E. 26th Ave., Denver or Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora or 942 S. Monaco Street Parkway, Denver)

Detroit

Blue Pan Pizza (3934 W. 32nd Ave., Denver or 3509 E. 12th Ave., Denver or 17525 South Golden Road, Golden or a food truck available in various locations across the Denver metro area)

Boston/New England

Maine Shack (1535 Central St., Denver)

Washington, D.C.

Call Your Mother Deli (3880 Tennyson St., Denver or 1291 Pearl St., Denver or 217 S. Holly St., Denver)

China

Hong Kong Station (6460 E. Yale Ave., G20c, Denver or 6878 S. Yosemite St., Centennial)

India

Serene Cuisine of India (2070 S. University Blvd., Denver)

Samosa Shop (1526 Blake St., Denver; also available at the City Park and South Pearl Street Farmers Markets)

Nigeria

African Bar and Grill (955 S. Kipling Parkway, Lakewood)

SweetPepper Kitchen (Food truck available in various locations across the Denver metro area)