Start Eating More of Your Favorite Foods!
Colorado has some great food. Especially if you live in Denver or Boulder, it’s hard to resist jumping up and hitting your favorite restaurants for every meal. Constant restaurant eating is tough on the waistline and even tougher on the wallet, so in most cases it should be practiced in moderation. But if you know the cheapest spots to find your favorite foods, you can eat the meals of your dreams and become a regular without squeezing your bank account. Here are the best, most affordable Denver-area restaurants in a variety of cuisines.
French: Le Central This Denver classic, celebrating its 32nd year, has persistently offered delicious and affordable French food in a city where most French bistros go out of business within a few years. Have a $4 Soupe à l’Oignon, or for $11.95 choose between twelve mussel recipes with unlimited fries! Also check out their weekly prix fixe menus, wine dinners, cooking demonstration classes, and the upcoming Bastille Day celebration.
German: The Über Sausage While several Denver restaurants offer the refined German cuisine of schnitzels in elegant sauces, only The Über Sausage captures the casual side of German eating. Serving a variety of sausage sandwiches on baguette (around $8) with seasoned tater tots ($2.50), this spot does not sacrifice its exquisite quality for its cheap food and relaxed atmosphere.
Italian: Mici Family owned and operated, this handcrafted Italian restaurant boasts a friendly, contemporary atmosphere and creative, affordable dishes. Their 16” specialty pizzas for $18.75—voted Denver’s Best Pizza in 2010—are the only menu item over $10.75. Their pizzas, pastas, paninis, and calzones are all made from fresh, organic ingredients.
Greek: Pete’s Restaurants Family owned and operated since 1962, Pete has expanded from his original Satire Lounge to six different locations, each with a distinct name and aesthetic but all offering warm hospitality and delicious, affordable Greek cuisine. Head to Pete’s Central 1 and grab a lamb pita gyro with fries for $11.99.
Middle Eastern: Jerusalem Restaurant From kabobs and falafel to Baba Ganoush and baklava, Jerusalem serves a delicious diversity of Middle Eastern meals and treats. All of their fresh, hearty entrees are under $13 and served with pita, rice, and salad.
Indian: India’s Restaurant What Westword Magazine called Denver’s Best Indian Restaurant for 22 years, India’s offers a huge variety of rich, flavorful dishes at a fair price. Get a sample of authentic Indian cuisine: try a delectable Chicken Noorani ($14.95) or Lamb Vindaloo ($15.95). Share a few dishes between a family and sop up the sauces with nan!
Chinese: Wok Uptown At this acclaimed Chinese dining spot, no entrée is over $14. Enjoy Lemon Chicken, Garlic Eggplant, Mongolian Beef, and Curry Shrimp; between a family of four, everyone gets to try everything!
Japanese: Banzai Sushi Voted Denver’s Best Sushi in 2004 and ’05, Banzai offers top-shelf Japanese cuisine, including a menu of over 100 sushi rolls, some standard, others daring. From the Southern California (crab, avocado, and tuna) to the Kathy (shrimp, vegetables, cucumber, cream cheese, Japanese red chili pepper), Banzai has something for your tastes.
How to use this Information
At Sloane’s, we want you to eat well and live well, and we know you can’t do either if you’re not frugal with your money. Save on a delicious meal, and then bring that extra cash to your Denver carpet and rug source to trade it in. We can help you decide, purchase, and install your new cheap carpet, and help you find the perfect place for that discount rug you picked up.
Share any other cheap Denver dining spots here, or say what’s good and what’s bad!