Hi! I’m Shaundrea Roberts and growing up in Denver has allowed me to see the variety of cultures that exist within the city. Coming from a big multicultural family (or, as I like to call it, a blended family), I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to try many different kinds of cultural food, whether that be deep Southern soul cuisine, Hispanic cuisine or Asian food.
The question “What do you want for dinner?” was never an easy decision throughout my childhood, as the options were endless and my taste buds always differed from my siblings. As I’ve gotten older and the number of family gatherings has lessened, I crave going back to those moments when having authentic cultural food was so accessible to me. The plethora of different foods that you can get when in need of a meal is a reflection of the community that lives here.
Whether you are a local wanting to try something new or a visitor wanting a familiar flavor from home, Denver offers a taste from all places of the world. This guide compiles a list of small businesses in Colorado that have achieved success by providing culturally authentic food.
Kike’s Red Tacos
One of the most authentic Mexican spots in Colorado is Kike’s Red Tacos. I have visited when they opened and near closing time and parking is almost always limited. When you walk into this restaurant, you feel the vibe instantly. Although the line can be long, the employees are always walking around making sure guests are content.
One of my favorite things about Kike’s is its unique decor. From its wall of Jarritos to their light-up “Let’s taco about it” sign, Kike’s decor adds a nice touch playing into its authenticity. They also play music by various Hispanic artists, and some of the employees can be seen singing along while taking orders. Visitors over the age of 21 can also visit its bar, where I met one of the owners who manages the bar.
The owner shared that Kike’s Red Tacos began as a food truck with different locations each day in the Denver area but has since grown so successful that they were able to open its first and only location in Colorado. I remember finding Kike’s when they were a food truck. and its Birria tacos became extremely popular on social media. Birria tacos and street tacos were a staple for me growing up, and I can still eat at least five on any given day.
Kike’s makes sure their quesabirriatacos are packed with meat and cheese and have a wide range of sauces to pair with your food for an extra kick of spice, which I appreciate as a spicy food lover. Kike’s Red Tacos remains the top place to get the most authentic Birria tacos and its become a Colorado delicacy.
Kike’s Red Tacos, 1200 West 38th Avenue, Denver. HOURS: Tuesday to
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Learn more at kikesredtacos.com.
Q’s Cuisine
Hungry for soul food? Q’s Cuisine is a family-owned business in Aurora with recipes passed down from generation to generation. Similar to Kike’s Red Tacos, the business started out as a food truck and now has one location. Their food truck is still in operation, as is their physical location, making it easier to get a taste of Q’s Cuisine’s Southern flavor.
I discovered Q’s Cuisine through their food truck, which can be found at several popular events throughout the year, including Juneteenth and the Taste of Colorado. Eating at their established location is also enjoyable and demonstrates how excellent their customer service is.
One of my fondest memories is eating at Q’s Cuisine during the Olympics. Q’s has multiple television screens that show some of the most popular events and games. As the track events played on the television, customers were able to watch and cheer Noah Lyles on as he won the gold for the USA in the 100M Dash. It was an electrifying sight to see so many people come together not only over food but also over the pride of seeing an American win an Olympic event.
Some of my favorite staple dishes include their peach cobbler and dirty rice. Peach cobbler is one of my favorite Southern desserts, and while I believe that no one will ever top Grandmother Teresa’s, Q’s Cuisine comes close. Q’s Cuisine serves as a Colorado favorite and the business is owned by Colorado natives. They also have a bar for 21+ guests to enjoy drinks and let their hair down after work.
Q’s Cuisine, 5428 South Parker Road, Aurora. HOURS: Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Learn more at qsquisine.net.
Honeybee Asian Bistro & Sushi
Cindy and Helen, co-owners and best friends, launched Honeybee Asian Bistro & Sushi in Aurora in 2008. I love coming in here and looking at the fish tank before entering the restaurant.
It is always full of unusual-looking fish that I have not seen elsewhere. Their menu is quite extensive, and customers who sit down to eat can also enjoy their newly added sushi bar, which includes some of my favorites, such as the spicy tuna roll and salmon wrap.
Another distinct feature of their restaurant is their personal RM Robot. An RM Robot is a food delivery and hospitality robot that helps Honeybee fulfill customer orders! My favorite Honeybee dish is their General Tso’s chicken and crab meat wontons.
The chicken is cooked fresh and hot, and the sauce is spicy with a touch of sweetness. Along with the various awards displayed throughout the restaurant, Honeybee definitely deserves a spot on the authentic cultural food list.
Honeybee Asian Bistro & Sushi, 18541 East Hampden Avenue Street 126, Aurora. HOURS: Sunday to Monday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Learn more at www.honeybeeasianbistro.com.
TK’s Surf & Turf
Sandwiched in between a convenience store and pizza spot is TK’s Surf & Turf, a Cajun seafood restaurant with a massive, varied menu. TK’s Surf & Turf, the first Black family-owned and operated seafood restaurant in Denver, is a must-see authentic spot for mouthwatering seafood dishes.
The first thing I noticed when I walked in was the decoration on the walls. At first glance, many people would only notice the various menu item names listed across the wall, including their most popular dish, “the works.” After further investigation, I discovered that some of the words on the walls were names—not just any names, but those of victims of police brutality such as Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Trayvon Martin and others. This spoke to me because the company implemented it with the intention of raising awareness about how Black Americans continue to face issues of police brutality.
TK’s is well-known not only for their exceptional food, but also for their customer service and family atmosphere, which have made them extremely popular. When customers walk in, they are greeted with a smile and “How are you?” New customers will be surprised by the staff’s friendliness and helpfulness when suggesting what to try for the first time. Customers can eat at this location on a variety of budgets, with crawfish as low as $10.99. This restaurant is exclusive to Colorado and serves some of the best seafood in the state.
TK’s Surf & Turf, 10890 East Dartmouth Avenue #13, Denver. HOURS: Wednesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 1:30 to 10:30 p.m. Learn more at www.tkssurfandturfkitchen.com/.
The Original Chubby’s
Since 1967, The Original Chubby’s has been a Denver staple. Stella Cordova founded the restaurant, which originally served only burgers; however, the menu has expanded to include burritos, hot dogs and sandwiches.
Chubby’s interior has been imprinted in my memory since I was a child. The bright red and green walls stand out as customers walk in and out of the building. With a wide range of hours, their rush appear to last all day, as every time I visit there are a slew of people craving the same iconic green chili as me. Despite the insane number of customers they have to deal with, the employees there always appear to be happy with their jobs and enjoy interacting with the customers who come in.
Their green chili is extremely popular and has been named the most authentic in the state several times. One of my favorite dishes at Original Chubby’s is their famous smothered green chili fries with steak. As previously stated, I am a huge fan of spicy food, and their green chili heat selection is indeed HOT. I also enjoy going to Chubby’s because they stay open late on weekends, making it a great place to go after a night out. Although it is frequently confused with restaurants with similar names, The Original Chubby’s is the only location in the country, making it a Colorado standout.
The Original Chubby’s, 1231 West 38th Avenue, Denver. HOURS: Monday to Wednesday from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. Thursday from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Learn more at www.theoriginalchubbysdenver.com.
Growing up in Colorado, I have grown to appreciate all of these authentic cultural food establishments because they satisfy the same cravings I had as a child while smelling the various foods at family gatherings. All of these restaurants have the added benefit of offering takeout orders, which are usually delivered quickly. So, if you prefer to eat good food on the go or are more introverted, you can still enjoy the food at home!
