After digging into where a homesick Texan should dine in Denver, it only seemed right to follow up by addressing the rest of the South. If you’re missing your favorite foods from below the Mason-Dixon, no need to head home. Check out one of these southern stops right here in Denver.
Rise & Shine Biscuit Kitchen & Cafe
To honor his North Carolina roots, Rise & Shine Biscuit owner Seth Rubin opened the restaurant for one very simple reason: to make the biscuits he was missing at home. With no restaurant experience, Rubin opened the store in 2010, and it has been serving nothing but the best southern biscuits since. With each one named after cities in North Carolina, all of the biscuits are great, but don’t miss the Charlotte, with bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo ($4.95), and the Chapel Hill, with fried chicken ($5.35).
5126 W. 29th Ave., Denver. 720-855-0540. riseandshinedenver.com.
Moe’s Original Barbecue
Mike Fernandez, Ben Gilbert and Jeff Kennedy met at the University of Alabama, and forged a friendship out of “a common bond of BBQ, blues, college football and whiskey.” Together, they studied the art of being a pitmaster and crafted the perfect barbecue with a blend of two sauces. Don’t fill up on meat, though. As any true barbecue lover knows, it’s also all about the sides. All of them.
Multiple locations. moesdenver.com
The Post Brewing Company
Southerners take their fried chicken seriously. It seems as if everyone and their grandmother has an opinion on the best way to fry a chicken. Arguments aside, The Post Brewing Company in Lafayette serves up a serious, finger-lickin’ good iteration. Although it’s a drive from downtown Denver, the crispy, juicy poultry is well worth the trip. Order a fried chicken plate ($13.75), a side of cheddar biscuits ($0.50/each) and collard greens ($4/7) and a house-brewed beer, and you’ve got yourself a feast.
105 W. Emma St, Lafayette, CO. (303) 593-2066. postbrewing.com.
Sassafras
Two things perfectly describe Sassafras: comfort food and Bloody Marys. With a killer lunch and brunch menu, grab southern staples like the catfish platter ($13), shrimp po’boy ($14) or breakfast mac and cheese ($13). And seriously, don’t miss the Bloody Marys.
Multiple locations. sassafrasamericaneatery.com
Lucile’s Creole Cafe
If you think New Orleans-style Creole when you hear “southern food,” look no further than Lucile’s. With six locations across Colorado opened since the ‘80s, Lucile’s has proven it has southern staying power. Crush those cajun cravings with shrimp and grits or their popular “Cajun Breakfast” with meaty red beans, poached eggs and hollandaise.
Multiple locations. luciles.com
CoraFaye’s Cafe
Boasting “Home Cook’n and Soul Food” right in their tagline, CoraFaye’s isn’t afraid to show its southern roots. Owner Priscilla Smith named the restaurant after her mother, who taught her how to cool back in Alabama when she was nine-years-old. Not only are they probably the only restaurant in Denver where you can order a pitcher of Kool-Aid, the extensive menu includes true southern combo plates ($13.99-16.99) with all your favorite fried meats: chicken, pork chop, frog legs and more.
16251 E. Colfax Ave., #210, Aurora. 303-333-5551. corafayes.com.
The Regional
Chef Kevin Grossi recently opened the Regional inside Avanti after a three-week cross-country road trip to study the authentic American comfort food from various regions of the country. One of Grossi’s homages to the south is a hot chicken sandwich ($6). Grossi’s version of hot chicken is breaded in gluten-free tapioca and corn starches, fried, then tossed in a cayenne oil and served on a bun with onions and house-made pickles. This sandwich achieves southern comfort flavors in a slightly healthier way.
3200 Pecos St., Denver.
Anywhere we missed? Let us know in the comments.