15 JANUARY 15-21, 2026 westword.com WESTWORD | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | the kalua pork is a slow-cooked delight. Add a scoop (or two) of mac salad and a Spam musubi, then close your eyes and let this food transport you to paradise. Pizzeria Leopold Lakewood 1990 Wadsworth Boulevard pizzerialeopold.com A three-decade-old Italian deli got the ultimate makeover when Chris and Lindsay Lyons purchased Deli Italia in 2018 and transformed it into not just a great pizzeria, but a full-on restaurant that’s only continued to get better over the years. In 2022, the couple rebranded the spot, naming it for their son, a refl ection of how dear the establish- ment is to them. That’s the kind of care you can taste in every bite, whether you order one of the impressive sandwiches built on housemade focaccia; dig into small plates, like the seasonal rotating burrata; or stick with the pies, which range from such classics as the pepperoni-packed Rony! Roni! Rone! to more creative combos like the Inspektah Speck, with garlic sauce, speck, spinach, pecorino and goat cheese. Coming in 2026: a second location in Colorado Springs. Riot BBQ Overland 2180 South Delaware Street riotbbqcompany.com Fueled by friendship, Riot BBQ rose from the proverbial ashes of AJ’s Pit Bar-B-Q in 2025 to become one of the year’s standout new restaurants. Co-owner Patrick Klaiber brings extensive pitmaster experience, while Top Chef alum and co-owner Manny Barella has infused the recipes with fl avors from Mexico — with smokin’ good results. Arrive early for the best selection of meats, which include classics like Texas-style brisket and al pastor-inspired ribs. And don’t skip the sides, especially the esquites-topped cornbread. Picnic tables fi ll the large dining room, and there’s plenty of room on the large back patio, too, so bring a group, order a platter piled high, and enjoy one of the city’s best barbecue feasts from a talented pair who know how to capitalize on culinary teamwork. Welton Street Cafe Five Points 2883 Welton Street weltonstreetcafe.com Before 2022, it was hard to imagine Five Points without Welton Street Cafe, which the Dickerson family opened in the neigh- borhood in 1986. But fans had to wait for the return of the soul-food spot for nearly three years after it closed its longtime home and began building out a bigger, better version. Welton Street 2.0 debuted in late 2024, and the new location has all the warmth of the original, with the bonus of a fresh start, more space and a full bar. Fried chicken, catfi sh, wings, smothered pork chops...it’s impos- sible to go wrong. Come hungry and you’re sure to leave with a full stomach and a smile. Woody’s Wings & Things Westminster 6817 Lowell Boulevard woodyswings.eatintakeout.net Let’s be clear: You’re here for the “things,” not the wings (unless you’re ordering the lemongrass variety). What was once a typi- cal wing joint never got new branding when it was taken over by new owners. Instead, Woody’s became something totally different: a bare-bones strip-mall joint that has what might be the most extensive menu of Asian specialties in the state. Spanning cuisines from Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, China and Laos, the menu comes in the form of a loosely organized binder that can be intimi- dating to newbies. Some go-tos include the duck larb, whole fried fi sh and any of the regional soups, but this place is best enjoyed with a big group that likes to share and isn’t afraid to try dishes that may be unfamiliar. Miss one of your favorites? Check out our list of the Top 50 Bars in Denver right now at west- word.com. Ohana Island Kitchen, Denver’s OG poke spot, is still top-notch. MOLLY MARTIN
