Burgers are a frequent face of many hip spots around Denver and we are definitely no stranger to the smash burger. What NADC promises, however, is essentially a smash burger that went to culinary school. Its perfected the juicy, caramelized expectations – complete with crispy edges, a pillowy soft bun, and a secret sauce that could put many others to the back of the line. And sorry, veg lovers – you won’t find lettuce anywhere. But what you will find is a rich, buttery comfort food staple that presents more like the American classic’s cousin who studied abroad.
Professional Skateboarder Neen Williams and Michelin Starred Chef Phillip Frankland Lee have chosen Denver as the latest location for their burger concept, NADC – Not A Damn Chance Burger.
Good news for all of us – this is one smashburger that fits right in – while also standing out. We caught up with Neen to get some insight behind the restaurant, and of course to welcome the crew to the scene. “The idea came from hanging out with my friend Phillip Frankland Lee. We’d skate together, and afterward, we’d always crave a great burger. We had a couple of our favorite spots but eventually decided to create our own burger. Phillip is an incredible chef with several restaurant concepts of his own, and I was diving deeper into the culinary world through my spice blend company and my passion for health and nutrition. Together, we developed what we like to call ‘the ultimate backyard burger.’” Chef Phillip Frankland Lee also brought his concept Sushi By Scratch to the same location on Larimer – hidden behind a graffiti painted door inside NADC.
READ: Redefining Omakase – Sushi by Scratch Comes to Denver
Of course, when any out-of-state concept chooses Denver as its next location a standard question will always be: why? Owner Neen Williams was happy to answer that one. “Denver is such an amazing city—it was an easy decision. I’ve been visiting for years, whether stopping by to catch up with friends in the area or heading to Keystone for the Zumiez 100K. Denver is one of my favorite cities because you can ski, snowboard, and skate all in the same day. The outdoor lifestyle here is incredible, and I always enjoy my time here.” Other locations include Austin, Houston and Chicago – Neen’s hometown.
So what is it that makes the NADC burger so good? Neen explains, “In my opinion, what makes the NADC Burger stand out is the focus on quality ingredients and a nostalgic approach executed at a high level. For instance, we use 100% full-blooded Texas-raised wagyu beef, which adds richness and umami from the fat, cooked on a classic flat top with thinly sliced onions for an extra flavor punch. We never compromise on quality. We tested numerous buns to find the perfect one and matched our pickles and jalapeños to balance the richness of the patty and cheese. Every element is intentional.” That thoughtful approach ensures a burger with a true depth of flavor – and using premium beef makes it a cut above the rest. As for a skateboard pro turned restaurateur: the measure of success doesn’t have an end point in sight and certainly doesn’t come without it’s share of difficulties.
As for the quick success of NADC? Neen says. “It depends on how you define success, especially in the restaurant industry. New days bring new challenges and I’m grateful we work as a team to make this thing work. It’s a daily grind and I’m just happy to be here and the burger is loved by many!”
One main aspect that new-coming restaurants find quickly in the Denver scene is the feeling and value of community. The skateboarding world that Neen comes from aligns perfectly with what matters to him and his crew, which he hopes reflects in the space just as well. “Coming from the skateboarding world, I’ve always appreciated the strong sense of community among skaters. I wanted to bring that same vibe to NADC Burger. From the moment you walk into our Denver location, you’ll feel it. We’ve got an awesome couch up front with vintage video games – perfect for hanging out while waiting for your food. The walls are covered in artwork by local artists, and our drinks menu features local spirits and sodas. Moving forward, we’d love to host local art shows and community events. When we opened in Denver, it wasn’t just about adding another location; it was about becoming part of this amazing local community.”
As Denver continues to say hello and goodbye to many staples and new concepts – it seems like NADC is fitting right in and holding its own to such a simple niche. You might be a burger purist or a wagyu newbie – but at the end of the day sometimes all it takes are a few quality ingredients, a flat-top grill, and a passion for feeding the community to smash expectations.
One bite and you’ll see why the stoke for this one is real.
NADC Burger is located at 1441 Larimer St. Denver; its hours are Monday – Sunday 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.