FIND MORE FOOD & DRINK COVERAGE AT WESTWORD.COM/RESTAURANTS CAFE Eats After the Beats WHERE TO DINE AFTER SHOWS AT DENVER MUSIC VENUES. BY TEAGUE BOHLEN Denver is big on music venues and local bands. It’s one of the surprises that new ar- rivals enjoy once they settle in and start to go out: Our music game is strong, and our bench is seriously deep. And after all those shows, there’s that emptiness inside many of us. No, it’s not the absence of the rhythm or the lyrics. It’s the fact that you probably haven’t eaten since lunch, and it’s now midnight or later. Time to get some grub before you hit the proverbial sack. But where to go? We’ve got recommen- dations for you, all located near (or an easy drive from) some of the city’s best venues. Fat Sully’s 3237 East Colfax Avenue 303-377-7900 fatsullys.com Fat Sully’s, which is housed under the same roof as sister concepts Denver Biscuit Com- pany and Atomic Cowboy, has three loca- tions in Denver, and the Colfax outpost is blissfully close to the Bluebird Theater — right next door, in fact. Open until 1 a.m. on weekends, Fat Sully’s will satisfy that need for good grease in the wee hours. And sure, you can get a pizza if you want — but you’ve gotta try the Sully’s Fries ($12), which will fi ll you up with waffl e- fried taters smothered in housemade sausage gravy (or vegetarian mushroom, if you prefer), pimento cheese, bacon and green onions. With these fries, you can check out any time you like, but you’ll never want to leave. Famous Original J’s Pizza 715 East 26th Avenue 720-420-9102 famousoriginaljs.com After a show ends at Cer- vantes’, you can always see people making a beeline across Welton to grab a slice or two from Famous Original J’s. The window is only open until midnight on weekends, but the slices are good and just greasy enough to satisfy — or whet your ap- petite to roll big and order another one. If you’re just feeling snacky? The garlic knots dipped in marinara are the things of which your post-show dreams will be made. SliceWorks 700 East Colfax Avenue 303-993-8127 sliceworks.com Though it also has loca- tions in LoDo and Castle Rock, if you’re hungry af- ter a weekend show at the Fillmore, the Colfax Slice- Works outpost has you cov- ered until 2:30 a.m., and it’s just across the street. With a slew of premium pizza available by the slice, from Buffalo chicken to stuffed veggie to the jalapeño pop- per and more, there’s some- thing for everyone — unless someone in your group has a sweet tooth. In that case, head a little farther east up the street to Voo- doo Doughnut (1520 East Colfax). Just be prepared to wait in line, because ev- eryone else has the munchies, too. It’s a short stumble from Cervantes’ to Famous Original J’s. The Brutal Poodle 1967 South Broadway 720-379-6281 brutalpoodledenver.com Let’s move away from pizza for now. This music. There’s a reason it named its must- try cheese toastie on challah with four cheeses, tomato compote and candied pork belly the Gwarled Cheese. You’ll have to pay for the eats, but the headbang- ing is free. The Brutal Poodle has serious heavy metal and seriously good green chile. selection is a bit of a drive north on Broad- way from the Gothic, but c’mon, it’s less than two miles — and you’re hungry. The Brutal Poodle has just what you need: great food and poodle-themed art on the walls. Oh, and some serious heavy-metal El Cubanaso Food Truck 2006 Market Street Once a show is over at Herb’s, there’s a new show already in progress a block away on Market Street, where El Cubanaso Food Truck is usually parked. Late-nighters from all over LoDo converge there to enjoy street food un- til about 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. The menu is limited, but they got tacos, they got tos- tones; they’ll even make you a dang quesadilla. There’s also a sandwich called the Tony Montana. Say hello to my li’l friend, El Cubanaso. Sputnik 3 South Broadway 720-570-4503 sputnikdenver.com This one’s almost too easy. Once you’re done seeing a show at Denver’s legendary hi-dive, go right next door to Sputnik (at least until 1 a.m., when the kitchen closes) and get a corn dog. Or two. Or four. We won’t judge...unless you dip that crispy motherfucker in ketchup. The Walnut Room 3131 Walnut Street 303-295-1868 thewalnutroom.com A quick fi ve-minute walk deeper into the heart of RiNo from the Larimer Lounge is the Walnut Room, which has been serving up good eats since 2005, and has, in the past, been a venue itself (it closed its music space only recently, and installed a virtual golf system in its place). It’s open until 2 a.m. on weekends, but the kitchen closes at 1 a.m. — still plenty of time to get down there and order up some of the best oven-baked wings in town. And not for nothing, but the salads — if you’re keeping it green — are just as boss. And if you’re not very veggie? The Fat Bastard sandwich loaded with pep- peroni, salami, roast beef, turkey, smoked ham, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, mustard and vinaigrette dressing is not to be missed. Great Scotts Eatery 1295 Cortez Street 303-428-3558 greatscottseatery.com Sometimes you have to drive to get what you want — and what people want at 2 a.m. on weekends after a continued on page 18 17 westword.com | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | WESTWORD APRIL 21-27, 2022 MOLLY MARTIN MOLLY MARTIN
