1. Mountain Pies at BeauJo’s Pizza
Considered to be “The Legendary Colorado Style Pizza,” these Mountain Pies are thick-crusted masterpieces equivalent to Chicago Deep Dish, but were created to appease a mountaineers appetite. These pies gained popularity from regional skier’s and snowboarders who were looking for a heavy and hearty meal to warm them up after a long day on the slopes. These pizzas are iconic, because rather than being ordered in the traditional small, medium, and large categories, they are sold by the pound! Beaujo’s offers 20 Specialty Mountain Pies on their menu, but also include a build-your-own option so you can completely customize your pies.
2. Smothered Mexican Hamburger at Chubby’s
Colorado loves its Green Chili, and we are not shy about it. We find innovative and delicious ways to put it on every meal, and even late night snacks. Also, when serving green chili with our food, we do not daintily serve it atop our meals, but rather smother our food in it! A perfect and iconic example for this is the Smothered Mexican Hamburger found at Chubby’s Original in Downtown Denver. This interpretation of the classic burrito features a hamburger patty folded in a flour tortilla with beans and melted cheese. It is then smothered in Denver’s favorite green chili, and topped with lettuce and pico de gallo. A satisfactory late-night eat and a Coloradoan staple!
3. Salted Oreo Ice Cream at Little Man
The mere fact that lines of people will stand outside in the middle of January in Colorado just for this ice cream should already tell you something. Little Man Ice Cream is a small-town feeling shop located in the center of Denver’s trendiest neighborhood. They are known for producing elevated versions of classic ice cream flavors, but were put on the map with their Salted Oreo creation. A perfect combination of cookies and cream with a surprising burst of saltiness makes this ice cream unique and worth the wait.
4. Campfire Burger at Crave
While not the typical meat expected on restaurant menus, Coloradoans love their bison! Because Colorado prides itself on living a healthy and active lifestyle, we prefer our meat to be leaner as well. Buffalo burgers have less fat, and aren’t too different in taste from ground beef, so bison is often used as a substitute for fattier meats in other meals as well. Since bison is easily manipulated by the flavors it is paired with, it allows burger vendors, such as Crave, to go wild with its combinations. The Campfire Burger features a bison patty, raspberry BBQ sauce, pepper jack cheese, crispy poblano rings, and coffee dusted onion strings.
5. Justin’s Nut Butter from Whole Foods
Coloradoan’s love their organic junk food, and peanut butter is no exception. Based in Boulder, this company produces locally sourced, organic variations of everyone’s favorite peanut butter and chocolate-hazelnut spreads. Low on sugar, these protein-packed spreads have become popular among daily snackers who are looking for a healthy and satisfactory alternative.
6. Baum Cakes from Glaze
Denver did not necessarily invent the beautifully layered Baumkuchen cake, but a little shop in Denver is paying homage to these intricate Japanese delights. Each Baum cake is hand-crafted to honor the Japanese tradition of rotating the cake similar to the process of cooking on a rotisserie spit. These cakes are time consuming and unconventional, but they are the unique and delicious treats that draw locals and tourists alike.
Happy Eating!
