Dig Into December – What to Eat and Drink in Denver This Month

Brined hand-dipped, golden chicken thigh with escabeche and chili oil

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 to 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 next month.

Go here to sign-up for our monthly food newsletter!

But First… Food News

In case you missed it, here are some of the biggest announcements in Denver food news from last month.

Stranahan’s New Head Distiller Speerheads Updates While Maintaining Legacies

Owen Martin. Photo by Adrienne Thomas

The Lowdown: Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey’s new head distiller – Owen Martin – has implemented new updates to the Colorado Whiskey staple. Martin aims to keep the brand’s traditions and legacies alive while pressing forward with new innovations.

Beet Box Closes

Photo courtesy of Beet Box Bakery & Cafe

The Lowdown: Beet Box Bakery & Cafe has closed its doors after being in business since 2013. The all-vegan bakery ended on a high note with a line wrapping around the block to purchase baked goods one last time.

In-N-Out Opens in Aurora and Colorado Springs

Photo Courtesy of In-N-Out on Facebook

The Lowdown: In-N-Out opened two new Denver locations on November 20. The burger chain plans to open a location in Lone Tree later this year.

Good List 100 Restaurants™ Honors 38 Colorado Restaurants for Sustainable Food Practices

denver farms
Alex Seidel at Fruition Farms Creamery. Photo courtesy of Fruition Farms/Alex Seidel.

The Lowdown: Good Food 100 Restaurants™ has selected 38 Colorado restaurants to include in its Good Food 100 List for holding Sustainable Food Practices. The list includes restaurants such as Fruition, Beast + Bottle and Safta.

The Helping Hen Food Truck Aims to Lift People Out of Poverty Through the Power of Food

Photo by Samantha Hines

The Lowdown: The Helping Hen Food Truck – an extension of Work Options for Women – is continuing its mission to raise people up from poverty with employment opportunities in the food industry. The truck also offers delicious rotisserie chicken.

Sushi-Rama and Osaka Ramen to Merge in 2021

Photo by Alden Bonecutter

The Lowdown: Sushi-Rama and Osaka Ramen have joined forces and plan to merge in 2021. The duo plans to reopen the current Sushi-Rama locations with the new merge next year.

Newly Opened

Carm & Gia Metropolitan Opened in Aurora

Brined hand-dipped, golden chicken thigh with escabeche and chili oil. Photo by Marla Keown

The Lowdown: Carm & Gia Metropolitan – a midcentury modern themed restaurant – opened in Aurora. The restaurant dishes out a combination of Denver and Chicago-style bites.

Frank’s Food & Bodega Opened in Edgewater

Photo by Alden Bonecutter

The Lowdown: Frank’s Food & Bodega has opened in Edgewater, taking over the location once held by Happy Leaf Kombucha. Founded by famous venue caterers, it often features meals requested by stars like Ariana Grande and Phish. The bodega offers fresh produce, meats, cheeses, pantry items and more.

Phresh Baked Goods Offers Pastries for Delivery in Denver

Photo Courtesy of Phresh Baked Goods

The Lowdown: Phresh Baked Goods keeps your cravings at bay with pastry deliveries around Denver. Owner Chelsea Berman created a menu filled with cookies, cakes, cupcakes and more.

Lekker Coffee Opened in RiNo

Photo Courtesy of Lekker Coffee

The Lowdown: Lekker Coffee has opened to put the rhino in RiNo. The coffee shop supports Care for Wild – an organization that helps protects rhinos.

Baba & Pops Brings Brunch with a Giant Bloody Mary

Baba & Pops pierogi
Photo by Lucy Beaugard

The Lowdown: Baba & Pops has introduced a new brunch menu with a giant bloody mary to boot. The 50-ounce pour is topped with bacon, a chicken kebab, pierogies and more.

The Ginger Pig Opened Brick and Mortar Location

Korean Garlic Fried Chicken by Marla Keown.

The Lowdown: The Ginger Pig has finally opened a brick and mortar after a stint as a food truck and concept in Rosetta Hall. The new location offers an expanded menu for an even tastier experience.

Whole Sol Opened Flagship Location at Sloan’s Lake

Whole Sol
Photo Courtesy of Whole Sol

The Lowdown: Whole Sol – a restaurant that aims to offer whole and nutritious fuel – has opened its flagship location at Sloan’s Lake. The restaurant serves up cold-pressed juices, hot bowls, toasts and more.

Monzo Lobster & Oyster Bar Offers New Seafood Source in Denver

Photo by Lukas Crosby

The Lowdown: Monzo Lobster & Oyster Bar has opened in Denver to offer new seafood sources. The bar slings out lobster poutine, ahi tuna poke and even lobster roll kits to-go.

Foodhalla Brings Three Concepts to Denver

Photo Courtesy of Bodega Cuban Kitchen

The Lowdown: Foodhalla – a new mobile food hall – brings three new concepts to Denver. The concepts, Bodega Cuban Kitchen, Seoul Brothas and Spudnation will serve bites around the Denver area.

6 and 40 Brewery Opened in Lakewood

Photo Courtesy of 6 and 40 Brewing

The Lowdown: 6 and 40 Brewery has opened in Lakewood as an extension to Tom’s Brew Shop. The brewery offers 13 brews on tap as well as seltzers and Happy Leaf Kombucha.

Samosa Shop Serves is Making Indian Food Sexy

Photo by Alden Bonecutter

The Lowdown: Samosa Shop – the brainchild of owner Dave Hadley – is making Indian food sexy. The shop offers hot samosas, housemade chai and frozen samosas for easy pick-up.

Excuses to Celebrate

Photo Courtesy of Phresh Baked Goods

The Lowdown: Satisfy your sweet tooth on December 4 during National Cookie Day. The best excuse to grab a freshly baked cookie.

Don’t Miss: If you need a new cookie spot check out Phresh Baked Goods or this list of eight Denver shops serving up sweets.

December 5: National Repeal of Prohibition Day

Stranahan Whiskey. Photo by Adrienne Thomas.

The Lowdown: Raise a glass to National Repeal of Prohibition Day on December 5. Whether it be a cocktail or a glass of wine, we all deserve a drink.

Don’t Miss: For some great pours explore Deviation Distillery, Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey or Atost.

December 10: National Lager Day

Photo Courtesy of 14er Brewing Company on Facebook

The Lowdown: Crack open a cold one on December 10 for National Lager Day. No better reason to sip on a brew.

Don’t Miss: Need some good brews? Check out 14er Brewing Company and 6 and 40 Brewing.

December 30: National Bacon Day

Flying Pig Bacon Co
Photo by Giacomo Di Franco

The Lowdown: Dig into some porky goodness during National Bacon Day on December 30. Just save a slice for us?

Don’t Miss: Get some bacon at Flying Pig Bacon Company or Bacon Social House

December 31: National Champagne Day

Carboy winery
Photo by Brandon Johnson

The Lowdown: Pop some bubbly on December 31 for National Champagne Day. You can cheers to any occasion.

Don’t Miss: For some bubbles take a stop at Carboy Winery, Attimo Winery or Atost.

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

Snooze x Be A Good Person Launch

Photo Courtesy of Snooze, an A.M Eatery

When: December 4, 12 p.m. 

Where: Be A Good Person Online

The Lowdown: Snooze, an A.M Eatery teams up with Be A Good Person and No Kid Hungry to launch a Snooze x Be A Good Person collaboration t-shirt. The shirt will be sold online and $10 of every purchase will be donated to No Kid Hungry to provide meals to hungry children across the country.

Work & Class Denver Box

Photo Courtesy of Work & Class on Facebook

When: December 4 – 5, 11 – 12 & 18 – 19

Where: Work & Class, 2500 Larimer St., Denver 

The Lowdown: Work & Class teams up with The Lion Project to present a Work & Class Denver Box. You can order a meal for four guests with a specially curated menu from Chef Dana Rodriguez and her team, order cocktail add ons or even a gift card. The proceeds will benefit Denver Rescue Mission. Pre-order here and pick up at Work & Class.

Sophie’s Neighborhood Holiday Virtual Auction

Photo Courtesy of Sophie’s Neighborhood

When: December 10 – 12

Where: Online 

The Lowdown: Sophie’s Neighborhood holds a Holiday Virtual Auction. The auction raises funds for treatments of Top Chef Hosea Rosenberg’s daughter Sophie. You can participate and make a donation here.

Discover more from 303 Magazine

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading