Denver 4th in Top 30 Exciting Food cities of 2017 (real estate, lease)

[Brianmedia]

As a newcomer to Denver I’ve loved the food scene here.

30 Most Exciting Food Cities in America 2017 by Zagat

Seems Denver is ranking higher than many top cities like San Francisco, NYC, Seattle, San Diego, Boston etc.

Notable quotes:

If major restaurant openings were the only criterion for a hot food city, Denver would be a shoe-in for a top 2017 slot

In short, as food towns go, the Mile High City has just hit the stratosphere.

One of the many reasons I love this city.

[Phil P]

Maybe for fancy post-contemporary snack parlors and fine liquor creations... sure. That's what they listed in their magazine.

For food I actually eat, Denver gets a 3 out of 5, given that most everywhere in the US has pretty darn good food.

There's good food around for sure, but:

There really doesn't seem to be much fast casual, it's more sit down or fancy bar setups that are the acclaimed ones. I don't go to fancy bars or fancy sit down restaurants by myself, so I only visit these occasionally. Particularly by my office in the middle of downtown, there's really not many good lunch spots. I can get good sandwiches and pizza and 'bowl food', that's about it within 5 blocks for under $13 and under 30 minute total eating time.

There's a decent amount of variety, but not tons: 2 Russian restaurants in the metro, 0 Yakatori restaurants (everything is sushi now)... For the more fringe ethnic options, there's usually a couple, if your willing to drive.

Chain food quality is inferior. Chipolte, Noodles, Pei Wei, Smashburger... are noticeably worse in central Denver than they are other places I've tried them. I would be willing to pay more for the higher real estate costs, but I don't want worse food quality.

I think CO Springs is a pretty good contender to Denver for normal people food, and it has 1/4 the people.

[DenverBrian]

God help me, it's a shoo-in, not a shoe-in.

[Monacles]

Originally Posted by Phil P

Maybe for fancy post-contemporary snack parlors and fine liquor creations... sure. That's what they listed in their magazine.

For food I actually eat, Denver gets a 3 out of 5, given that most everywhere in the US has pretty darn good food.

There's good food around for sure, but:

There really doesn't seem to be much fast casual, it's more sit down or fancy bar setups that are the acclaimed ones. I don't go to fancy bars or fancy sit down restaurants by myself, so I only visit these occasionally. Particularly by my office in the middle of downtown, there's really not many good lunch spots. I can get good sandwiches and pizza and 'bowl food', that's about it within 5 blocks for under $13 and under 30 minute total eating time.

There's a decent amount of variety, but not tons: 2 Russian restaurants in the metro, 0 Yakatori restaurants (everything is sushi now)... For the more fringe ethnic options, there's usually a couple, if your willing to drive.

Chain food quality is inferior. Chipolte, Noodles, Pei Wei, Smashburger... are noticeably worse in central Denver than they are other places I've tried them. I would be willing to pay more for the higher real estate costs, but I don't want worse food quality.

I think CO Springs is a pretty good contender to Denver for normal people food, and it has 1/4 the people.

Zagat's audience are people looking for a fine dining or trendy restaurant so that's what they talk about.

The food trucks absorb a lot of the fast casual market. If you're going to open a restaurant the margins are in the higher end places or food trucks. It doesn't make a lot of sense to open a $8 sandwich place in a fixed location with high lease costs if you can open a food truck or sell $30 plates in the same space.

[Phil P]

Originally Posted by Monacles

Zagat's audience are people looking for a fine dining or trendy restaurant so that's what they talk about.

The food trucks absorb a lot of the fast casual market. If you're going to open a restaurant the margins are in the higher end places or food trucks. It doesn't make a lot of sense to open a $8 sandwich place in a fixed location with high lease costs if you can open a food truck or sell $30 plates in the same space.

I figured that's what a dining publication would gear towards. It's something fine diners read so it gives fine dining food.

Food trucks probably do serve the fast casual niche quite a bit downtown. But still, a lot congregate in city park, which is too far from my office and they are cash only and usually have lines. They are cheaper, but hit and miss, even at the same cart. I've tried most of the ones near my office and they are decent, but nothing to brag about.