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Top Alternative Fast Food Around Denver

Biker Jim's
A Cheddar Cream Cheese Elk Brat at Biker Jim's (credit: Sarah Carpenter)

We all have to partake in the rat race that is our social and work lives, at least most of the time. But we don't have to succumb to regretful chain fast food while we're zipping around squeezing in a bite to eat. Below are some top "alternative" fast food joints in and around Denver. That is, a locally owned spot that serves vegan chili cheese dogs, a pizza parlor that offers gluten free crust, two hot dog stands that serve neighborhood classics to exotic non-beef, non-pork dogs, and even one slightly guilty pleasure spot that provides burritos like grandma made them. Enjoy!

V.G. Burgers 2
V.G. Burgers (credit: Sarah Carpenter)

V.G. Burgers

1650 Broadway Street
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 440-2400
vgburgers.com
Though in Boulder, it's worth the trip from Denver to spend a day in the foothills community while grabbing a quick bite of Colorado's only entirely vegan (zero sources from animals) and organic fast food stop. V.G. Burgers is basically a take on the inevitably popular speedy burger, fries and shake concept from the well-known golden arches. However, at V.G.'s, you'll find black bean veggie burgers, veggie bacon burgers, tempeh, as well as vegetarian BBQ chicken, bratwurst and hot dogs. Including club sandwiches, Rueben's, BLT's, Falafel, bean or buffalo wraps, noodle, mac n' cheese and burrito bowls, salads, and of course, fries—all vegan. Try the chili cheese fries, with non-dairy cheese—it's more delicious than you can imagine. Top it all off with a Strawberry/Chocolate Soy shake, and you're set. Who needs heavy, heart-attack chain fast food, when you have healthy and heartwarming V.G.'s?!

The Rebellion
The Rebellion (credit: Sarah Carpenter)

The Rebellion

2231 South Broadway
Denver, CO 80210
(303) 733-4511
rebellionpizza.com

Pizza: with all that hard-to-digest stringy cheese, greasy pepperoni, and bloating bread crust. Well, we love it, right. Especially if it's done right. And folks seem to always be on the search for that perfect New York or Italian style thin crust plain cheese, pillowy Chicago style deep dish, or the even mile-high pies of Colorado. In my opinion, The Rebellion has every type of pizza a foodie can desire. The first description above is what I don't look for in a pizza. Therefore, I devour Rebellion's veggie and vegan pizzas: option of gluten free crust, mozzarella or vegan cheese (better than you'd think), vegetarian sausage or vegetarian pepperoni, maybe some mushrooms or green peppers, and I'm thoroughly satisfied. And my stomach doesn't have to pay for my treat. But it's not just the non-greasy options that makes The Rebellion good, their dough is true quality, could stand on its own. Their sauce has a perfect spicy sweetness. And the multitudes of toppings, traditional meats and veggies alike, who could go wrong? It's a pick up or delivery spot, with some sit-down outside. I get my pizza to-go, takes just about 10-15 minutes. Don't miss their sides and desserts as well!

Mustard's Last Stand
Mustard's Last Stand (credit: Sarah Carpenter)

Mustard's Last Stand

2081 South University Boulevard
Denver, CO 80210
(303) 722-7936
1719 Broadway Street
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 444-5841
mustardsinc.com

Though not native to Colorado, the Mustard's Last Stands in Denver and Boulder offer that neighborly, side-street grab and go food joint, and of course good ol' fashioned American hot dogs. The DU area Stand even looks like it's been there through generations, with old picnic benches and warmly outdated decor. What makes Mustard's so special apart from the rest? Well, in Colorado, unless you're on the 16th Street Mall, there really aren't many hot dog stands to come by. Compared to places like New York or Chicago. And secondly, their hot dogs are just so dog-gone simple and good! You have your choice of Chicago Style Hot Dogs, Polish Sausage, Chili Cheese Dogs, even Corn Dogs. And nowhere else have I seen a hot dog stand, or even restaurant for that matter, that offer vegetarian hot dogs, such as their Soy Veggie Dog and Soy Italian Sausage. Hey, if you stop to think about the makings of a hot dog, a vegetarian version once in a while is not a bad option—hint, they taste exactly the same. And if you're not in the mood for a dog, try a burger, Italian sandwich, specialty sandwich, or an assortment of sides, all meat and veggie optional. Perfect for a sunny afternoon!

Biker Jim's
Biker Jim's (credit: Sarah Carpenter)

Biker Jim's

16th Street Mall,
At 16th & Arapahoe
Denver, CO 80205
And two other locations!
(720) 746-9355
bikerjimsdogs.com

When the renowned Travel Channel's chef and world traveler, Anthony Bourdain, says Biker Jim's is one of his favorites, it's no slight compliment. Anthony Bourdain banned himself from ever coming to Denver for years after an apparent poor experience here years ago, once concluding that there's no culinary impressiveness in basically all of Colorado. Of course, we all know he is wrong, and he proved himself wrong when he recently visited Biker Jim's. Biker Jim's is a unique and thriving hot dog stand, busily serving links in a short lunch period along 16th Street Mall. And he's not serving just any kind of hot dog. They're Alaska Reindeer Sausage, the ever popular Jalapeno, Cheddar and Cream Cheese Elk Brats, Southwest Buffalo Brats, Wild Boar Sausages, German Veal Brats, Louisiana Red Hot Beef Brats, Hebrew National All Beef Kosher Hot Dogs, as well as rotating specials, such as rattlesnake or duck dogs. "Biker Jim" was repossessing cars before he opened his stand, and boy is Denver glad he went with the latter. Though you might not see him himself, as his Auraria Campus stand and Coors Field area full restaurant location keeps him and the rest of his staff busy, you're sure to be greeted with the simple grill and exotic meats whichever location you visit.

The Original Chubby's
The Original Chubby's (credit: Sarah Carpenter)

The Original Chubby's

1231 West 38th Avenue
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 455-9311
theoriginalchubbysinc.com

After a late night out on the town, getting the after-hours munchies, forget Taco Bell —make a pit stop at The Original Chubby's, east of the Highlands on 38th Avenue in Denver. If I'm going to beer goggle my way to a blissful, if even brick-in-my-stomach midnight snack, it better be grandma's-cookin' style Chubby's burritos. And it ought to be The Original Chubby's, if even for the sake of supporting the cause, for there have been many other Chubby's of other owners erected throughout Denver. And the owner at 38th, Danny Cordova, will tell you right away how special this 44-year old quick Mexican food stop is. His mother and founder, Stella Cordova lived to be over 100, and all the addicting recipes there are hers. My guilty pleasures are their simple bean and cheese burritos, egg and potato burritos and jalapeno poppers. Sure, you still "taste" it the next day, but it's worth it once in a while.

- Sarah Carpenter lives in Littleton, where she was born and raised. She spent a decade in Downtown Denver, and its surrounding neighborhoods, going to school for writing, working in the service industry, and getting to know Denver's diverse culture. She has a passion for travel writing, local and afar, focusing the story on its people, culture and region.

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