17 OCTOBER 3-9, 2024 westword.com WESTWORD | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | Variety Pack TEN OF OUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN AURORA. BY MOLLY MARTIN Aurora has the metro area’s most diverse dining scene, packed with top-notch eateries that serve dishes and cuisines that are hard, if not impossible, to fi nd elsewhere. As with Federal Boulevard in Denver, you could simply eat your way through the many restaurants on Aurora’s South Havana Street for a taste of what the city has to offer, but there are worth- while spots throughout the sprawling suburb. The wide variety and high quality of restaurants made Aurora seem like a shoo- in for some love from the Michelin Guide when it released its fi rst Colorado edition last year — until it was revealed that only certain areas of the state would be considered: those with booster organizations that pitched in fi nancially for the marketing of the guide. Visit Aurora declined, eliminating the city from contention. But stars or not, hungry diners have a lot to celebrate here. From a fi ne-dining powerhouse to a no- table Vietnamese newcomer, a decades- old favorite for German fare and some of the city’s best street tacos, we have many favorite places to dine in Aurora. Here are ten, in alphabetical order, that can serve as jumping-off points for a city scene that deserves deep exploration. Annette 2501 Dallas Street, Aurora 720-710-9975 annettescratchtotable.com When chef Caroline Glover opened Annette inside Stanley Marketplace in 2017, she cre- ated something the city didn’t have before: destination-worthy fi ne dining. Her skills and creativity gained national attention when she was named the Best Chef, Moun- tain Region by the James Beard Awards in 2022. While the seasonal fare always shows off the best-of-the-moment produce and staples like the grilled beef tongue with mar- row toast are dependably delicious, we also love Glover’s outspoken support of Aurora’s entire dining scene, whether she’s address- ing the Michelin decision or dispelling the recent rumors of a gang takeover. Cuba Bakery & Cafe 15028 East Mississippi Avenue, Aurora 303-752-2822 cubabakeryandcafe.com Orlando Colombe opened this bright and welcoming strip-mall spot in 2013 after moving to Colorado from Florida for a change of pace. The often-packed casual eatery serves a wide variety of sweets and a lineup of sandwiches, such as a traditional Cuban and pan con lechon. But it also serves seriously impressive slow- cooked entrees such as ropa vieja, picadillo and tender pork ribs, along with daily specials like the Saturday-only marinated oxtail. Dân Dã 9945 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora 720-476-7183 dandavn.com Dân Dã has deep roots in Denver’s Vietnamese restaurant scene: Chef-owner An Nguyen is the sister of Thoa Nguyen, who owns next- door bakery and sandwich shop Banh & Butter — another Aurora favorite, particularly for its crepe cakes and breakfast sandwiches. Their parents were the original owners of the late, lamented New Saigon restaurant. Now An, who shuttered her last restaurant, Savory Vietnam, in late 2023, is serving the great- est hits from that menu in a more intimate, modern dining room. Make-your-own spring rolls are a crowd-pleaser, as are the towers loaded with items such as lemon pork skew- ers, shrimp pork egg rolls, fried shrimp paste, grilled marinated beef and more. Golden Saigon 2648 South Parker Road, Aurora 303-671-7100 goldensaigon.com Golden Saigon has occupied the same strip- mall space in Aurora since 1995, all the while serving up homey Vietnamese staples like pho along with entrees you don’t often fi nd on other Vietnamese restaurant menus — curry, for example. Though owner Mama Le’s daughter, Van Le, admits that Vietnam isn’t known for its curries, Golden Saigon’s version is actually the dish that keeps customers coming back. The family also recently opened an addition next door, Golden Banh Mi, which serves several va- rieties of the classic Vietnamese sandwich plus such creative options as a spin on a French dip served with pho broth, and the Kim-Cheese Steak with Korean bulgogi-style steak. Helga’s Haus 14197 East Exposition Avenue, Aurora 303-344-5488 helgasdeli.com This taste of Deutschland opened its doors in 1989 as a four-table restaurant and has since grown into a combo deli, bakery and spacious restaurant with an outdoor patio. The menu features fresh, house-baked pretzels and traditional strudel (apple and cherry are always available), a bratwurst sampler and German beers on tap — perfect to fi ll the two- liter beer boot. Look for seasonal specials such as veal maultaschenor (meat-stuffed dumplings), which are available during Ok- toberfest season, but don’t skip this spot’s staple: a hearty portion of schnitzel (your choice of pork, chicken or veal) paired with sides like red cabbage and spätzle. Katsu Ramen 1930 South Havana Street 303-751-2222 ramendenver.com In 2015, Katsu Ramen opened just as the metro area’s love for the Japanese noodle soup had reached a boiling point. Its debut brought long lines, and since then the eatery has earned many loyal fans. Whether you opt for the milky-white tonkotsu, sweet and nutty miso ramen or the lighter shoyu broth, you’re sure to get a bowl of pure comfort. Part of the ownership group is also behind nearby Sushi Katsu, where you can score an all-you-can-eat deal starting at $24.99. Old Town Hot Pot 2852 South Havana Street, Aurora 303-658-0870 oldtownhotpotco.com A slew of new Chinese hot pot options have popped up in the metro area this year, but Old Town remains the go-to in Aurora. In 2021, it took over the former Mr. Super Panda Buffet space; it has a sprawling dining room where guests can settle in for an all-you-can- eat feast of various raw meats, vegetables, noodles, tofu, seafood and dumplings dipped into bubbling hot broth in fl avors such as miso, tom yum and tomato. Seoul K-BBQ & Hot Pot 2080 South Havana Street, Aurora 303-632-7576 seoulkoreanbbq.com At Seoul, you can enjoy a Korean take on hot pot or, our favorite, a Korean barbecue feast cooked at your table. The space is a labyrinth of rooms, all fi lled with grill-inlaid tables beneath boxy exhaust hoods. The kitchen provides standards like bulgogi beef and galbi short ribs, along with more specialized cuts including pork jowl, beef tongue and baby octopus, all arriving with an onslaught of banchan sides. It’s one of over a dozen spots owned by prolifi c local restaurateur J.W. Lee, whose Seoul Hospitality Group includes another Aurora must-visit located next door: Tofu Story. Tacos Selene 15343 East Sixth Avenue, Aurora 303-343-7879 tacosselenecolorado.com Options for street tacos abound in Aurora and beyond, but this low-key spot that has added locations in Littleton and on Denver’s Santa Fe Drive remains one of the best in the metro area. Built for budget-minded taco hunters, these ring in at just $2.50 each, every day of the week. If you crave tacos al pastor with pineapple, this is your place. Lengua tacos? Barbacoa? These, too, fulfi ll every fantasy. Even the salsa bar, stocked with fl avor-smacked sauces and every garnish imaginable, is an object of desire. Urban Burma 10180 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora 626-628-5430 urbanburma.co Aurora’s Mango House includes medical and dental offi ces as well as space for youth organi- zations and community programs. But there’s also a small food court with international ven- dors selling the best of their country’s fare — all of which are worth a visit. Siri Tan launched Urban Burma here in early 2019, with the most complete roster of Burmese dishes the area has seen. But Tan’s restaurant isn’t just a novelty. The beef curry, nan gyi dok noodles and occasional mohinga, a catfi sh noodle soup considered the national dish of Myanmar, are all made with love and care. Email the author at [email protected] CAFE FIND MORE FOOD & DRINK COVERAGE AT WESTWORD.COM/RESTAURANTS Katsu Ramen opened in Aurora in 2015. DANIELLE LIRETTE
