Top Chili Dishes In Denver
Cherry Cricket (credit: Andy McDonnell)
If you’ve lived in Denver for more than a year, you already know that chili is served at almost every eatery in the Mile High City. Furthermore, each eatery has its own unique recipe for chili and a one-of-a-kind way of serving it. With so many options, choosing one place can be quite challenging. But fear not as we’ve put together this list of the best places around town to fulfill your chili needs.
Cherry Cricket
2641 E. 2nd Ave.
Denver, CO 80209
(303) 322-7666
www.cherrycricket.com
Featured on various cable TV shows, such as "Man vs. Food" and "On The Road," the Cherry Cricket is a part of Denver’s rich history. For decades, the self-proclaimed “Black Sheep of Cherry Creek” has been serving up simply delectable bar fare. Known around the nation (and quite possibly the world) for its top-of-the-line burgers, Cherry Cricket offers customers the option to include green chili on the patty of their choice. Definitely not the traditional method for consuming this dish, a green chili burger is guaranteed to be a hot, delicious mess that will have you addicted after the first bite.
Sam’s No. 3
1500 Curtis St.
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 534-1927
www.samsno3.com
Another non-traditional way to get your chili in is the mac-n-cheese dip at Sam’s No. 3. For 86 years, Sam’s No. 3 has been a diner icon in Denver. With its mac-n-cheese dip, macaroni is mixed up with chorizo, cheese and, of course, Sam’s Kickin’ Green Chili. Served with tortilla chips, this is a dish meant for sharing. If you’re not into that, order the mac-n-cheese dip sans chips and eat it like you would any other bowl of macaroni and cheese. Either way, it’s too yummy for words.
La Loma Mexican Restaurant
2527 W. 26th Ave.
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 433-8300
www.lalomamexican.com
If your tastes lean more towards traditional, Grandma’s chili plate at La Loma will surely tantalize your tongue. While its red chili is fantastic, La Loma’s green chili is unlike that of many other restaurants since it does not use corn starch. One Yelp reviewer states, "The green chili was super flavorful without being too spicy." Scratch that itch for Mexican food at La Loma for superb green chili that spares the eater any spice discomfort.
Related: Top Breakfast Burritos In Denver
Little Anita’s
1550 S. Colorado Blvd.
Denver, CO 80222
(303) 691-3337
www.littleanitas.com
A household name in Albuquerque, Little Anita’s serves up great chili, both red and green, as well as vegetarian for those who choose to pass on pork. With its roots in the state just south of Colorado, Little Anita’s food is more New Mexican rather than Mexican, meaning it combines the cuisine of northern Mexico with that of the Pueblo Indians. Earlier this year, Denver’s weekly alternative news magazine Westword declared Little Anita’s red chili the best in the city.
Torres Mexican Restaurant
1597 S. Federal Blvd.
Denver, CO 80219
(303) 934-8857
www.torresfood.com
All in all, Denver is a fairly laid-back city. However, breakfast burritos are a very serious matter in the Mile High City. There’s a million places you can go to get a breakfast burrito, but if you’re looking for one that’s smothered in excellent chili (either green or red) and stuffed with delicious, high-quality ingredients, your search can end at Torres on Federal. Order up your favorite breakfast burrito combination smothered in Torres' fantastic chili to start your day off on the right foot.
Related: Best Guacamole In Denver
Alli Sands is a freelance writer. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
