Imagine building a restaurant in 12 days, including the inner construction, permits, decor, setting up the kitchen, getting the furniture, and training the staff. That’s exactly how long it took for chef Dana Rodriguez to build up her second location of Work & Class, which opened in late September.
The trick, said the chef, is to get out of Denver. That, and the Englewood restaurant already had a solid base and Rodriguez had a dedicated team to make it happen.
“We painted one day, we put the parts together, we bring tables and chairs and put it together, tint all the windows, and start the training,” Rodriguez said, describing the whirlwind of an opening.
Take a tour of the new space and Rodgriguez’s other spots, Carne and Work & Class in RiNo, as the chef takes over our Instagram stories on Thursday, November 20. Not only that, but you have a chance to win a gift card to check out the restaurant yourself, details below.
The New Work & Class
When Rodriguez decided to launch her second location of her popular 10-year-old RiNo restaurant, she wanted it to feel the same. But how do you turn a multi-storied and multi-cornered building into a shipping container like the original? Truth is, you don’t, but the team added enough angles and coloring to give the Englewood restaurant the same feel.
The faux bar was built into the room and painted to look like concrete, giving it that industrial-chic vibe the RiNo neighborhood is known for. The seating remains at the same capacity, though easier to navigate, the lighting is low, and the service sticks to family-style feasts.
But one thing the first iteration doesn’t have is its own urban garden. Since Work & Class Englewood opened in the building owned by Grow + Gather, now the team has the ability to utilize the fresh produce grown there on all (or as many as possible) the menu items.
“We’re very lucky that we can use all the ingredients from the farm, because at Work & Class RiNo and Carne, we don’t have that,” said Rodriguez as we sat down with her to check out the new space. Grow + Gather owner George Gastis told her before he would, “donate everything to non-profits because they never use it. I’m like, ‘Oh, I can buy everything from you guys.’ And now we’re planning what we’re going to put on the menu next year.”
While the access to super fresh greens, herbs, and other produce may be different from the original location, the overall menu remains the same. Proteins such as coriander roasted lamb and al pastor pork are served by the pound, and sides range from fried plantains to goat cheese mashed potatoes to harissa-roasted vegetables. The Massive Attack Salad is on both menus, as is the jalapeño-spiked cornbread. Sharing a menu was part of the plan, as was mirroring the spaces.
Enter Dayshift
If you visit Work & Class Englewood you will also notice a whole other concept attached to it. This is Dayshift, Rodriguez’s fast-casual shop that serves coffee, breakfast, and lunch daily from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We don’t do breakfast and lunch at Work & Class. So we try not to change who we are, but do something a little different,” explained the chef, who still showcases parts of her Mexican heritage in dishes at both. “That’s why we call it Dayshift. Eventually, that coffee shop is going to be a wine bar, so it’s going to be Lateshift, but only on the weekends.”
The menu at Dayshift differs in many ways too, with brunch the star of the lineup. The addictive Pork Carnitas Burrito comes with potatoes, scrambled eggs, mozzarella, and guajillo pepper sauce, then gets smothered with green chili, lemon crema, and fresh scallions. A solid coffee menu accompanies that, and you can even go for a brunch cocktail if so inclined.
On the lunch side, $21 will get a large build-your-own platter with a protein, side, bread, and house salad. Choices feature renditions of the Work & Class menu, for example lemon pepper chicken, lamb and pork meatballs, aged cheddar green chile mac and cheese, carne asada with chimichurri, cilantro rice and beans, and more. You will want to check out Loca’s Smash Burger too. Served on a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, pickles, cheddar cheese, and chipotle aioli, the Kobe beef burger is only available at Dayshift.
Picking the Right Time and Place
The decision to open a second Work & Class was not something Rodriguez rushed. After all, the first location opened at the beginning of 2014. Over the years she looked for the right opportunity, even outside of Colorado, but nothing felt quite right. Then the spot in Englewood opened up and not only was the space and landlord hospitable, but so was the city.
“The mayor came, he said, ‘What do you guys need?’ I’m like, permits. [They] transferred it quick, in 74 hours,” said Rodriguez, who bemoaned the year it took to get the permit for her Carne sign in Denver. “Then came the developer from this neighborhood who is like, ‘Dana you need funds? What do you need to do this? We’re here to support.’ [It’s] like a different world [in Englewood] and I’m like, what the fuck I’m doing over there [in Denver]?”
Not only was the build out easy and supported, but the location proves key too. Right across the street from Work & Class is the Swedish Medical Center. When envisioning the restaurant, Rodriguez wanted to make it a comfortable and welcoming place for those leaving the hospital, waiting for someone there, and the staff working. That’s why her employees will greet customers with a welcome, rather than “how is your day.”
“You don’t ask questions that you don’t want to hear the answers, because it’s uncomfortable for them,” she added. Someone in a wheelchair may have just found out that’s what they have to use for the rest of their life, or they might have other serious injuries.
That’s also why space was added into the design, so wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and any other cumbersome modes of transportation can easily navigate around tables and chairs. In all these ways, Work & Class Englewood is prone to be a favorite neighborhood spot and one day, much like the one in RiNo, will become a staple.
The Chef Takeover
Join chef Dana Rodriguez as she shows us a glimpse into her day-to-day life. Dubbed “Loca” by herself and friends, she moves fast between locations, all while cooking, cleaning, organizing, and spreading her cozy hospitality around town. Rodriguez herself is a grandmother, though we probably won’t see much of her home life. The chef is busy, and after following her around you can see why.
Join the fun all day Thursday, November 20. Comment, like, and tag friends on our giveaway post for the chance to win a $100 gift card to Work & Class. Make sure you’re following us on Instagram @diningoutdnvr, as well as Work & Class and Carne.
Read more about where chef Dana Rodriguez likes to eat here, which also includes more about this amazing Mexican chef.
Visit Dayshift everyday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Work & Class Englewood is open for happy hour Monday through Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m.; dinner Monday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 4 to 10 p.m.; and brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 900 E. Hampden Ave., Englewood, workandclassdenver.com
