Today is election day, so get out and vote! Also in this week’s Denver dining news, we’re happy to report the Thanksgiving Dip from Pony Up is officially back, professional competitive eater Raina is Crazy will be in Denver, and brisket is showing up in meatballs. Plus, free burgers.
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Thanksgiving in Sandwich Form
The famous Thanksgiving Dip is back at Pony Up, and you can score one now and through the end of the year. On said sandwich, find turkey, sausage-sage stuffing, and cranberry mayo. As for the dip, of course it’s gravy.
Election Day Specials
It’s time to vote…today! To encourage Colorado residents to do their civic duty, venues around town have some incentives. For starters, Molotov Kitschen + Cocktails is offering a free shot for voters. You can get it any time this week.
Then head to Leven Deli and Leven Supply. Both spots will host a special happy hour today. The line up includes $3 glasses of house red, white, or rose wine; $3 Lavender Lemonade; $3 select draft beers; and $5 trout or French onion dips.
Free Burger Bites by Marczyk’s
We have been waiting for the opening of Marczyk’s FineBurger (7980 E. Northfield Blvd.) in Denver, and the time is now. Well, November 5 to be exact. Brought to the city by Marczyk Fine Foods, come check out the space and meet some of the farmers providing the goods from 4 to 6 p.m. You can also score a bite of the restaurant’s signature burger for free.
Raina is Crazy Comes to Denver
If you’re a fan of Raina Huang, aka Raina is Crazy on social media, then rejoice! She is coming to Denver next week to face some huge eating challenges. On Friday, November 6, she will take on Chubby Fish in Thornton at 10 p.m. to eat almost five pounds of sushi (go here for more info and to enter to win a seat).
She will also be at Yu’s Noodle Shop at 1 p.m. the same day. Raina’s weekend tour continues the next day at Toki Ramen and Rice at 2 p.m., and on Sunday at Ma’s Kitchen & Bar at 12 p.m.
Spicy Ramen Challenge at Toki Ramen and Rice
In honor of the aforementioned visit by Raina Huang, starting on November 7, Toki will launch the Hell Spicy Ramen Challenge. The restaurant describes it as “three levels of heat, three chances to earn bragging rights and a collectible medallion.”
The goal is to finish the entire bowl, broth and all, to claim victory. But, Toki warns, level three is so spicy you’ll have to sign a waiver.
Chef Carolina Zubiate Drops Her First Menu at BRUTO
About a month ago we found out chef Carolina Zubiate (Yuan Wonton) was taking over the prestigious BRUTO kitchen after chef Byron Gomez left this past summer. Tomorrow she will release the magic she has been working on, and yes, reservations for December are now open.
The menu is described on the restaurant’s social media as “rooted in Peru’s flavors, traditions, and biodiversity, the menu reflects chef Carolina’s story while looking to Colorado’s landscapes. Moving through distinct elevations, climates, and seasons, each course draws connections between the places and ingredients of Colorado and the culinary traditions that have shaped her.”
A Christmas Fundraiser
A Colfax Christmas is coming to Cirrus Social Club on December 10. The party was designed to raise funds for a 2027 marketing campaign to bring diners back to Colfax after the year-plus BRT construction project.
Tickets run $500 a person and include a six-course dinner from Champagne Tiger, SAME Café, Fino, chef Dana Rodriguez (Work & Class and Carne), Yahya’s Mediterranean, and Cirrus Social Club. There’s also entertainment throughout the evening, a live auction, and drinks crafted by barman Steven Waters. The evening starts at 7 p.m., attire is holiday formal, and guests must be 21 or older. Tickets are available here.
Fall Comes to Cart-Driver LoHi
At Cart-Driver LoHi you can now get the Housemade Stuffed Saccottini, aka pasta purses filled with caramelized carrot and ricotta. The dish is also served with roasted carrot and onion, brown butter cream, pecorino, and spiced pepitas.
Also on the fall menu: Grilled Squash & Radicchio salad with tetra squash, pickled apples, candied hazelnuts, and grilled lemon. On the starter list you’ll find Bluefin Tuna Crudo spiced with bourbon vinegar, Bartlett pear, sweet Tropea onion, and pickled Carmen peppers, all on a rouge de Bordeaux cracker.
Finally, the seasonal risotto features a squash and apple stock, with poached apples, pumpkin gouda, balsamic, and candied hazelnuts on top. As for the seasonal pizza it also has squash, though this time it’s butternut squash purée with braised beef, Carmen peppers, and a drizzle of balsamic.
New Menu Items at Riot BBQ
We reported a couple weeks ago that chef Manny Barella and pitmaster Patrick Klaiber of Riot BBQ added lamb birria with consommé to the menu. But now, there’s even more. Think beef cheek quesadillas, available Fridays only. You can also get smoked brisket and pork meatballs tossed in habanero crema and a brisket torta served on bolillo bread with Alabama white sauce, avocado crema, and chimichurri.
