118 MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2026 westword.com WESTWORD | FOOD & DRINK | MUSIC & VENUES | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SHOPPING & SERVICES | SPORTS & RECREATION | CONTENTS | that have set up in the Denver area, but it’s hard to ignore the simple fact that Sushi Den, which opened on Christmas Eve of 1984, is the undisputed top shop, and has trained many of the best chefs in the area. The Kizaki brothers, who now rule an empire of “Den”- related eateries, did it by being so focused on having the best and freshest fi sh for their su- shi that they have always fl own in the catch of the day from fi sh markets in Japan. Best Place to Eat While You Gas Up Shahristan Kabob and Gyro 7310 Broadway Gas station food usually conjures images of packaged snacks, lukewarm roller-grill dogs and indigestion. But Shahristan Kabob and Gyro has quietly turned the Conoco station where it’s located into a long-held neighbor- hood secret worth seeking out. This unas- suming spot serves up halal kebabs, juicy chicken shawarma and stacked gyros, all grilled to order amid the aisles of energy drinks and chips. Patrons squeeze into a handful of counter seats and watch the spit turn while they wait, and the steady stream of regulars suggests people come here more for the food than a gas tank fi ll-up. Best Kebabs Yemen Grill 2353 South Havana Street, Aurora 1135 East Evans Avenue yemengrilldenver.com Long before Aurora became a national head- line for its global food scene, Yemen Grill was quietly building a loyal following for deeply spiced, fl ame-grilled meats, and in 2025, it expanded with a location near the University of Denver. The kebabs, from lamb to chicken to beef, arrive juicy and fragrant from the grill, lightly charred at the edges and infused with cumin and smoke. But be sure to order them with the rice, which nearly steals the show. Fluffy and dyed golden with spices, each spoonful is layered with savory depth that complements the kebabs. You’ll want every last grain. Best Nepalese Restaurant Gundruk Taste of Nepal and India 2770 Arapahoe Road, Lafayette gundrukcolorado.com Not long ago, restaurants opened by the area’s growing Nepalese community would have called themselves “Indian” and maybe added Nepalese as an afterthought on the menu. Now, the Nepalese are fi nding their voice — and culinary chops — and proudly put- ting their cuisine fi rst. Gundruk’s menu has a lot of the familiar Indian foods people crave (curries and naan bread, lassi drinks) but also features Nepalese momo dumplings and the Chinese-infl uenced chow mein adapted as a popular Nepali street food. This bright but intimate family-run strip-mall spot east of Boulder is easy to fi nd and worth the drive. Best Ethiopian Nile Ethiopian Restaurant 1951 South Havana Street, Aurora nileethiopianrestaurantcolorado.com Nile Ethiopian is the kind of place that turns communal eating into a ritual. Under new ownership but with the same heart for richly spiced, soulful cooking, this longtime Aurora staple offers buttery doro wat, fragrant lentil misir, and a rainbow array of vegetarian op- tions, all served atop warm, spongy injera that doubles as both fork and plate. Each platter feels like a shared feast, where the act of tearing and dipping becomes part of the joy, making the case that eating with your hands is how food was meant to be enjoyed. Best Pupusas Pupusas La Salvadoreña 304 Havana Street, Aurora pupusaslasalvadorenaco.com Pupusas are the signature dish of El Salva- dor, and few places celebrate it as fully and deliciously as Pupusas La Salvadoreña. This humble community anchor turns the simple griddled masa cake into a cultural celebration. Surrounded by murals and nods to El Salva- dor’s heritage, more than a dozen pupusa fi ll- ings are at your fi ngertips (literally). From the gooey revuelta with pork, beans and cheese, to the earthy loroco fl ower, to the wonderfully decadent chichar- Food & Drink continued from page 116 continued on page 120 ILLUSTRATIONS BY GETT Y IMAGES
