Colfax Avenue may be the most famous street in Colorado, and its history dates back to the 1860s. Stretching almost 50 miles, the continuous avenue starts in Golden and moves through Lakewood, Denver, and Aurora. Originally called Golden Road, the path led gold miners to the city for trade. Decades ago the infamous avenue was known for seedy deals, crime, and subversive culture (mainly in Denver).
Storied past aside, now, diners can strike gold when it comes to eating out along the ‘fax, which is dotted with independent restaurants from one end to the other. Among its offerings are some of the city’s best burger joints, ranging from classic diners to trendy eateries.
In fact, it wasn’t too far from Colfax Avenue that first cheeseburger was rumored to have started. Based on the story, in 1935 Louis Ballast, owner of Colorado’s first fast food restaurant, the Humpty Dumpty Barrel Drive-in, created and trademarked the cheeseburger. While that place closed and was eventually torn down in the 1960s, the legacy lives on.
Read on for the top must-visit places to get the iconic dish.
Cheeseburgers at The W
Taking a page from his family history, Ernest Wigglesworth had always wanted to open his own neighborhood burger joint. Growing up, Wigglesworth’s family had been serving hamburgers since 1944 at the Owl Cigar Store, a classic diner located in Cañon City.
So, this past March Wigglesworth and his wife Carrie launched The W on the corner of Colfax Avenue and Elm Street. As a nod to his own past, Wigglesworth found a spot sporting a stunning vintage facade with green tiles. The building once held Weiss Drug, but now, a new kind of cure gets served up daily. Yes, we’re talking about cheeseburgers.
Almost all the craft burgers come with cheese, from goat to blue to cheddar. On the classic side, try the Li’l Wig Burger ($15), which has white cheddar, red onion, tomato, lettuce, pickles, and a signature sauce, or the Li’l Big Wig ($18) that also features pork belly and jalapeño. On the fancy side, the Brie Baby ($18) features gooey brie, onion jam, arugula, garlic aioli, and sliced apples. 5001 E. Colfax Ave., thewdenver.com
Sugar Burger at Bastien’s Restaurant
The funky geometric building and vintage neon sign of the old school restaurant remains an East Colfax landmark, and not much has changed inside either. Head to the 75-year-old-plus eatery for a mid-century supper club vibe and order from a menu of classic dishes like the signature sugar-rubbed strip steak (starting at $35). Of course, there’s the cheeseburgers too.
If you want to skip the whole steak but still get a taste of the famous dish, the Sugar Burger ($16) has the sugar rub on top. Also try the Steakhouse Burger ($16), which comes with sauteed mushrooms and onions, aged cheddar, and steak sauce. Don’t skip The Fax ($16) either. This burger comes topped with sauteed mushrooms, bacon, swiss cheese, and a special dipping sauce. Each order comes with choice of steak fries or shoestring fries, or a baked potato or salad for $2 more.
Aside from the burgers and sugar steak, there’s a reason Bastien’s has had the staying power to become a local icon. Over the years the family-run eatery has garnered numerous awards while remaining timeless. 3503 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, bastiensrestaurant.com
Diner Cheeseburgers From Pete’s Kitchen
Pete Contos immigrated from Greece to Denver in 1955 and worked his way through every role in the restaurant business before taking the reins at The Satire Lounge in 1962 (which is another classic Colfax landmark). Twenty-five years later he followed that with Pete’s Kitchen right next door. Today the neon sign depicting a chef flipping pancakes is a recognizable Denver symbol, and Pete’s remains one of the city’s few 24-hour eateries (weekends only).
Not much has changed over the decades, and the diner fare offered runs the gamut from burritos smothered in green chile to gyros, classic American breakfast to Reuben sandwiches, and of course, cheeseburgers. In fact, the later option is the perfect ending to a night out on Colfax.
For a classic diner meal, order the classic one-third pound cheeseburger ($13.95). Or, go the more creative route with the Feta Burger ($14.20) or the Cowboy Burger ($15.30) that comes topped in bacon, barbecue sauce, and cheddar. All come with fries, and if you’re feeling burger devious, try the Patty Melt ($15.25), which is most definitely a sandwich. 1062 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, petesrestaurants.com
Two-Pound Burger at The Ranch @ West 40
Restaurateurs Kim and Ardalan Hardi have been in the business for more than 40 years, running several restaurants in the Lakewood area. In 2015 they opened their casual eatery, The Ranch @ West 40, now a neighborhood favorite. The morning-till-night menu focuses on classic American favorites such as French toast and eggs benedict at brunch, or pot roast or meatloaf for dinner, but there’s also a menu of classic burgers (starting at $11.99).
Standards like a simple cheeseburger, a bacon cheeseburger, and a mushroom Swiss burger are old reliables. But, for something outrageous, order The Titanic, a full pound beef patty ($20), or two if you make it a double ($28), topped with American cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and onion. Each burger, no matter the size, comes with coleslaw or fries. 12101 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, ranchatwest40.com
Sports Themed Cheeseburgers at The Original Brooklyn’s
Tucked away in a corner under a highway viaduct near Empower Field at Mile High and Meow Wolf, Brooklyn’s is one of the few original remaining buildings from a bygone era. The edifice dates back to 1896, back when Colfax was called Golden Road and the neighborhood was called Brooklyn by local shopkeepers because it was a hub for the Jewish community settling the area.
One influential resident was Eli Schachet, who bought the building to expand his meat business into a mercantile. It evolved into a meeting place and was only renovated in the early 1980s, when it became Brooklyn’s. A staple for tailgaters heading to a Denver Broncos game, Brooklyn’s menu of burgers has a whimsical sports theme and the choice of a beef, turkey, chicken, veggie, or bison patty.
Named after the city’s beloved football team, the Bronco comes with bacon and jalapeno cream cheese. Get saucy with the Outlaw, a burger laced with avocado, cheddar, and bacon. Or, on the spicier side, the Zephyr melds beef with jack cheese and green chiles. Prices range from $14.95 to $16.95. Bonus, even if your team loses, every burger on the menu will make you feel like a winner. 2644 W. Colfax Ave., originalbrooklyns.com
