When chef Nick Kayser started EatYa Pizza he was just coming off the closure of his beloved Rooted Craft Kitchen in Highland. His hope, he said at the time, was to create a fun place for people to grab a slab of pizza quickly, and either eat it there or take it to go. But between construction, rising food and labor costs, and legislation targeted at the hospitality industry, it never gained the traction he hoped. Now Kayser will close the pizza spot, and the last day of service for EatYa Pizza will be Thursday, February 13.
“EatYa Pizza was an amazing experience from the start and we truly believed it would have filled a void for what the Downtown community needed,” said Kayser. “Looking at the surrounding businesses we were certain the market was there for a casual, quick-service food, and while I believe the possibility is there for a turnaround, we were unfortunately met with extended construction times on 16th Street Mall that lasted through the summer, and then right into winter which is notoriously a slow time for restaurants and business alike.
Ultimately, we just did not have the resources to keep it going, and had to make the tough decision to close the doors and cease operations. We will truly miss the people that we have come to know in the neighborhood, and wish the best for the business that surrounded us, and supported us from day one.”
The Roman-style pizza place opened last spring in the historic Sugar Building (1530 16th St.). Kayser built the menu to feature the long, rectangular pies by the slice. measured out traditionally with a spatula. Flavors ranged from classic combos like cheese and pepperoni, as well as rotating specials like the pork green chile pizza. It offered plenty of casual seating, a full bar, claw machines, and some video games too.
As the chef shutters the Downtown spot, he plans to leave Denver and concentrate on his three Avanti concepts, Rooted Craft Kitchen in Boulder, and Powder Crust Pizza and Detour in the newly-opened Vail food hall.
The closing of EatYa Pizza follows others on the strip including chef Lon Symensma’s casual dumpling spot YumCha and the French eatery, Bistro LeRoux. As construction still jams up the area, we can only hope the other restaurants along the mall can weather it. For now, find Kayser slinging pies, caviar, sandwiches, and more at the base of Vail Mountain.
