Welcome back to our monthly Dig Into Denver series. At the beginning of each month, we deliver a food and beverage-based itinerary for the best ways eat and drink your way through the city — including what’s recently opened and what’s worth celebrating for no reason at all.
Bookmark this page to reference these Denver food events all month long, and let us know in the comments what Denver food events you’d like to see included in Dig Into November next month.
But First… Food News
In case you missed it, here are the biggest announcements in Denver food news from last month.
GABF Came and Went. Here’s What We Thought.
The Lowdown: Another Great American Beer Fest has come and gone, and our beer writer is dishing on her thoughts on the event — including changes, the best beers and the biggest trends.
A Gin Palace & Art Gallery Pop-Up Lands in RiNo
The Lowdown: Yeah Baby — Colorado’s first biodynamic gin palace, art gallery and disco club — opened late September. Check it out before it’s gone.
Two Grilled Cheese Festivals Are On the Way
The Lowdown: One more is never enough, right? That’s Denver’s take on grilled cheese festivals, apparently. This fall, you’re getting two — one in October and one in November. Buckle up, cheese lovers.
The Rotary to Open in Avanti in October
The Lowdown: There’s been a lot of changes at Avanti recently. If you haven’t been lately, you can head in now for an almost entirely new line-up of restaurants. Coming in October is Rotary — a fast, casual restaurant serving rustic, artisan food.
Paramount Cafe and Four Others Will Close This Year… Here’s Why
The Lowdown: After more than 100 years of combined business — four recognizable Denver destinations are closing the doors by the end of the year. Here’s why.
… More Anticipated Restaurants and Moves
The Lowdown: There’s a lot of moving around and opening happening across the city — including award-winning sushi, pizza, distilleries, doughnuts, and of course, more coffee.
Newly Opened
These are notable restaurants, coffee shops and bars that opened in Denver last month.
Ironton Distillery
The Lowdown: This “grain-to-bottle” distillery opened in RiNo recently, serving small-batch whiskey, gin, vodka and rum. Learn more here.
Nomad Taqueria
The Lowdown: Red Rocks goers now have a new food option in Morrison. This hotel restaurant and beer garden serves southwestern and Mexican fare near the intersection of I-70 and CO-93.
Smōk
The Lowdown: Smōk has been long anticipated and discussed for its barbecue and smoked meats, but we’re here to tell you about the cocktails. Don’t miss either, now open in the Source Hotel.
Acova
The Lowdown: The husband and wife duo behind The Hornet — a 22-year-old South Broadway staple — envisions their most recent concept, Acova, as the new community hub for the Highlands neighborhood.
Amethyst Coffee (Second Location)
The Lowdown: This downtown coffee house staple will open a second location on West 44th Avenue, and it is absolutely gorgeous. See more photos here.
Uchi
The Lowdown: The highly anticipated sushi spot open in RiNo on October 4 and the hype is high. We got a sneak peek and we think it may live up to it. Go here to read more.
Excuses to Celebrate
There’s a lot to celebrate for no reason in October. If Halloween candy and putting pumpkin in everything hasn’t left you full, though, we have more for you. October is National Pasta Month, National Pizza Month, National Cookie Month, National Pork Month and National Seafood month — and that’s not even including the date-specific holidays.
October 5: National Rocky Mountain Oyster Day
The Lowdown: This “Colorado delicacy” that no one actually seems to eat all that often has its own holiday — thanks to the help of The Know, which is definitely worth a read. If you didn’t know, Rocky Mountain Oysters aren’t oysters at all — it’s a plate of deep-fried bull testicles.
Don’t Miss: The Buckhorn Exchange — Denver’s original steakhouse — has been known for its Rocky Mountain Oysters for years. And, on its new holiday, they’re celebrating with half-off orders all day.
October 25: National Greasy Food Day
The Lowdown: We mean greasy food in the most loving way possible. Those carefully and deliciously battered-and-fried delicacies that cure the worst of hangovers.
Don’t Miss: We’ve rounded up our favorite hangover cures across Denver, and most of them have a gloriously greasy element in tow.
October 28: National Chocolate Day
The Lowdown: As if you weren’t already eating enough Halloween candy, kick that chocolate craving up a notch with another excuse to eat more of it.
Don’t Miss: We have a recap of our six favorite chocolate shops in the city, and here’s a look at why you should visit Denver’s Chocolate Lab for more adventurous ways to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Eat Well, Give Back
Denver is a giving community, and there are countless events every month benefitting non-profits across the city. However, for Dig In, we specifically highlight food and beverage events that support food-focused causes and non-profits — those that tackle hunger, service industry assistance and more.
Cornucopia for Metro Caring
When: Thursday, October 4, 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: 2000 16th St., Denver
The Lowdown: Cornucopia is Metro Caring’s biggest fundraising event of the year. It’s a night of dining on local food while raising money for their anti-hunger efforts. Tickets and more information here.
Slow Food’s Preserve the Harvest
When: Sunday, October 7, 5 – 7 p.m.
Where: il porcellino salumi — 4324 W. 41st Ave., Denver
The Lowdown: Slow Food Denver has partnered with Bill Miner, owner of il porcellino salumi to host a salumi demonstration, tasting and tour. Learn about hog butchery and the basic curing principles that bring his products to life. Tickets and more info here. Also, don’t miss the second class, Preserve the Harvest (Pickles & Tomatoes) on October 13.
The GrowHaus Mushroom 101 Class
When: Saturday, October 13, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: The GrowHaus — 4751 York St., Denver
The Lowdown: If you’ve ever thought about growing mushrooms at home, this one is for you. The GrowHaus will lead a hands-on workshop showing their own processes from start to finish. You’ll even get to take home your own oyster mushroom culture. Mushrooms not your thing? Try the Kombucha class on October 27.
Real School Food Challenge
When: Thursday, October 25, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Where: 1801 13th St., Boulder
The Lowdown: The Chef Ann Foundation — one that focuses on healthy school lunch food for all children, is hosting a “Real School Food Challenge” in Boulder this month. Come and try competitors’ dishes, all made following the USDA meal guidelines and the budget of $1.25 per meal.