Photo by:

After a much anticipated wait and many setbacks, Illegal Pete’s, a California Mission District-style Mexican eatery, will finally open its doors on Monday Oct. 5. 

Located on the southeast corner of East Evans Avenue and South Williams Street, Pete’s faces stiff competition with more than five other food establishments located within a one-block radius.

In order to set itself apart, the restaurant will offer “a more extended menu including breakfast items,” said Pete Turner, owner of the six-store chain that has become wildly popular throughout Colorado. “We will have lots of space for students to study and we want people to come in and stay.”

Whether it’s to watch television or listen to live music, that will be offered periodically, Pete’s will provide a comfortable setting and stay open late to fit the needs of DU students, Turner said.

Another local restaurant, Noodles & Company, is also making its debut in October on East Evans Avenue where Blockbuster Video used to be located.

“We are very excited to join the DU community,” said Jill Preston, director of corporate communications for Noodles. “We will be doing a fun giveaway on our grand opening day—you can register to win free noodles for a year.”

Not only will the new establishment offer free Wi-Fi, but it will also be open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday, and 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Noodles will accept the Pioneer Flex account in this location, thus allowing students a wider range of dining options.

Another new restaurant is Greeks Gone Wild, which opened over the summer. The restaurant offers an eclectic menu that has something for everyone with an array of Greek dishes such as gyros, souvlaki sticks and loukoumathes, along with more conventional offerings such as hamburgers and chicken wings. Nestled in between Fuhgidabowdit Pizzeria and Yakety Yak at 2039 S. University Blvd, the Greeks also offer free Wi-Fi. 

“Combine all the features of the restaurants in the area and you get our restaurant,” said Pete Kallas, owner. “We are going to play cool, funky music. The restaurant will be a clean, hip and fun place to hang out.”

Kallas is also an owner of Steakhouse 10 in Englewood, Colo.

Much like its competition, Greeks offers late night hours, staying open until midnight from Sunday to Wednesday, and until 3 a.m. Thursday to Saturday.

Greeks also caters to early risers, offering breakfast items from 8 a.m. to noon.

Although, attempts were made to coordinate Pioneer Card acceptance by Illegal Pete’s and Greeks Gone Wild, DU declined these transactions due to the large number of merchants already accepting Flex cash. Despite this, these establishments hope that this will not slow business as students and the surrounding community seeks new dining options.

 

Illegal Pete’s

• Grand opening Monday, Oct. 5
• Sunday-Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Thursday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 a.m.
• Location: East Evans Avenue and South Williams Street

Noodles & Company

• Accepts Flex
• Sunday-Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Thursday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Location: East Evans Avenue and South Williams Street

Greeks Gone Wild

• Breakfast served 8 a.m. to noon
• Sunday-Wednesday, 8 a.m. to noon
• Thursday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 a.m.
• Location: 2039 South University Blvd.