The weather is turning colder, but the sports season is just starting to heat up, which means that tailgating at home sometimes makes more sense. From cheering on the Broncos to rooting for the Nuggets or chanting out for the Avalanche, these local eateries have all the fixings for your game-day needs like wings, pizza and (mega) taco platters.
Here is a rundown of the best takeout options to make your game day a big win – even if it isn’t a parking lot party.
Atomic Cowboy
Where: various locations across Denver, Aurora, Centennial and Golden
When: various hours
The Lowdown: Fat Sully’s Pizza, located inside Atomic Cowboy makes tailgating easy with its curated selections of Tailgate Kits. Take away the prep and bust out nothing but the plates and napkins with one of its crowd pleasing options. Great for the whole family, choose from options such as the “Lights Out” with four double smash burgers – aged American cheese, house made pickles, diced onion and house made burger sauce on a garlic butter toasted brioche bun – and four orders of fries. Or opt for the classic pizza and chicken combo with the “First Down,” loaded with one giant 20” Fat Sully’s pie with 1 topping, your of choice of salad – house, Caesar, Italian chopped, arugula – and an order of chicken tenders – with dipping sauce like its Korean or chipotle ranch. Ranging in price between $30 to $50, these kits are not only delicious but easy on the ol’ wallet. Game on!
King of Wings
Where: 7741 W 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge and 1100 Arapahoe St., Golden
When: Monday – Tuesday closed, Wednesday – Thursday 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., Friday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Monday – Wednesday closed, Thursday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
The Lowdown: Wear the crown at your tailgate party and fuel the fans by bringing home Denver’s favorite bites with King of Wings. With sizes ranging from 6 to 24 traditional grilled wings, or hand-breaded tenders in orders of 3 to 12, your hardest decision is what sauces to get – spicy Thai, Memphis BBQ, or XXXhot? Don’t forget the homemade blue cheese, which you’ll want several of. Throw in some Cajun parmesan fries, a couple orders of onion rings or cauliflower – and there’s nothing left to do but bust out the wet naps, turn on the TV, and get the party started because touchdowns taste better together.
Zaman Fresh
Where: 282 S Logan St., Denver
When: Monday closed, Tuesday – Sunday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
The Lowdown: Tired of the usual suspects for tailgating and party food? Be the MVP of your party and choose a flavorful and unique option with a Zaman Shareable Meal from Zaman Fresh Mediterranean. These combos are meant to feed 4 to 6 and are jam packed with mediterranean favorites. Each box comes with one chicken shawarma sandwich – thinly sliced marinated chicken topped with tangy pickles, creamy garlic sauce, wrapped in fresh baked flatbread – one beef shawarma sandwich – thinly sliced marinated beef, topped with pickled onions, tomatoes, pickles, parsley, creamy tahini sauce wrapped in fresh baked pita, four crispy chicken tenders and an order of Zaman seasoned fries. Best of all are the sides of pickled veggies and tahini, garlic and Zaman sauces. For only $68 this is a great way to try something new and elevate the often mundane snack food.
So Damn Gouda
Where: 2432 W 44th Ave., Denver
When: Monday closed, Tuesday – Wednesday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Friday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
What: The home team that profoundly takes pride in being cheesy wants to take the stress out of your day with its specially curated cheese and charcuterie platters. So Damn Gouda should be at the top of your list for any gathering, really, but why not game day too? Stand out with one of its featured seasonal boxes like the Holidazzler, meant to serve 11 to 15 people, this ensemble has it all. Starting with the cheese you’ll get an 8 to 9 oz piece of La Tur, a creamy cow, sheep and goat’s milk cheese; Schnebelhorn, a semisoft raw cow’s milk cheese; Grand Noir, a mild and creamy cow’s milk blue cheese; and Kaasfort Aged Gouda, a 30 month aged, semi hard cow’s milk cheese. Unless you opt for the vegetarian selection, you will also get cured meat including 6 oz portions of locally made Elevation Fennel Pollen Salami, and Spicy Coppa from Italy. These boxes only get better with the inclusion of SDG’s house-made Items like roasted hazelnut honey, apple and ginger chutney, white wine mustard, rosemary Valencia almonds, candied and spiced walnuts, spicy pickled green beans and beets, two mini cheese balls and a Marczyk’s baguette. Could it get better? Of course they’d never forget the accoutrements – French dark chocolate, cornichons, a mix of Greek olives, dried Oregon cherries, peppadew peppers, dried apricots, fresh berries and pomegranates, Effie’s Oatcakes and Italian crackers. Though this is a pricier option at $165, the presentation alone makes it worth it and will make it a standout display at your tailgating party. Need something for a smaller gathering? Small and medium sized trays are available and still make great additions for almost any crowd of hungry fans.
Carrera’s Tacos
Where: 7939 E Arapahoe Rd., Greenwood Village
When: Sunday closed, Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The Lowdown: Okay hear us out. Have you ever said “no” to a taco bar? We doubt it. So why would you say no to one during your favorite game? Carrera’s Tacos has you covered Cali-Mex style with a fully loaded set up – go all in on your own taco bar with your choice of protein – you will get hand made tortillas, rice, beans, salsa Verde, salsa Roja, guacamole, crema, chips, onions, cilantro and limes. What makes this deal even hotter? It’s literally a pack-and-go situation. Carrera’s provides paper plates, napkins, forks, spoons, serving spoons and even serving tongs. If the Colorado weather holds out and you can take the party outside, there is even the option of your own backyard fiesta with Taquero Catering. Field goals and full plates – what could be better?
Steuben’s
Where: 523 E 17th Ave., Denver
When: Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
The Lowdown: Huddle up for game changing grub with Steuben’s. Build your own menu by selecting from its variety of house-made sandwiches, fried chicken samplers and salads. Go for a classic with the Cold Sandwich Pack, where you’ll get three Rachel sandwiches – marbled rye, house-smoked turkey, Swiss, coleslaw and Russian dressing; three BLTs – sourdough, thick-cut bacon, romaine, tomato and mayonnaise; two Italian ham sandwiches and two epic fungi Philly’s – Amoroso roll, flat-topped mushrooms, house-made béchamel and side of giardiniera for $180 that will happily feed 15 people without even trying. Looking for a more casual approach? Curate your favorite snacks with deviled eggs and crab cakes and go from there.
Pit Fiend BBQ
Where: 2826 Larimer St., Denver
When: Monday – Tuesday closed, Wednesday 12 p.m. – 8 p.m., Thursday – Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
The Lowdown: Voted one of Denver’s top BBQ joints, Pit Fiend in RiNo has your traditional sportsball spread handled. For groups of 10 up to 100 you can feed even your vegan friends some of the best around. Make it a classic game day with a by-the-pound tray of the classic pulled pork – Duroc heritage-breed pork shoulder smoked with dry rub and finished in citrus and garlic mojo. Or for your veg friends a tray of pulled jackfruit – vegan jackfruit marinated and smoked in achiote both served with a side of pickles and onions. Want to stand out with some more unique options? Go big with some limited availability selections like the pulled duck – smoked duck leg quarters brined with Chinese five spice and finished in duck fat confit; or the epic cauliflower ‘burnt ends’ smoked with house dry rub and Kansas City BBQ. Pit Fiend gives you the opportunity to be the real MVP of your game day party by offering the best sides too. Available in quarts or full trays, add on some potato salad – skin on red potatoes, scallion, celery, dill and mustard seed, cornbread muffins, and don’t forget the ultimate banana cream bread pudding. Bring the smoke to your tailgate without the work.
Pho King Rapidos
Where: 3200 N Pecos St., Denver
When: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily
The Lowdown: Looking to bring people together for a game day tailgate with good vibes and bold flavors? Pho King Rapidos is your best bet for a unique alternative with its creative and wildly delicious menu. Perfect for a group of 10, make the call on a Crunchy Snack Pack. For $50 get a large order of black sesame rice crackers, 10 pork and veggie egg rolls, 10 crispy shrimp and a side of PKR’s infamous and crave-worthy green sauce – mayo, parmesan, cilantro, jalapeno and lime. Need something heavier for your crowd of fans? PKR also offers sandwich trays – the Pho Banh Mi Tray is $80 and comes with five full sammies cut in perfect halves – pho smoked brisket, “BBQ” Sauce, mayo, pickled red onion, lettuce, fresh herbs and cucumber. The veggie Banh Mi is also available for this deal, and with a spread like this there’s nothing left to do but settle in for a good time
At the end of the day, remember the vibe starts with the crowd, even at home. Denver is full of delicious and inventive options to take your at-home tailgate to the next level – and even if the home team loses – you will always win when sharing great food with your crew.
