Tired of the scene around DU? Get off campus! City O’ City is a European-style café located at 206 E. 13th Ave. that serves everything from breakfast and coffee in the early morning to beer and pizza late at night.
You can expect unique pizza creations, an inviting atmosphere and drink specials but do not expect to order a meaty dish because this café is vegetarian. That is right, they do not even offer meat options. In fact, any item can be made gluten free or vegan (containing no dairy products). City O’ City, named as an ode and lament to the city, uses local and organic ingredients and they serve no corporate beers. Sounding too outlandish for your taste? Wait until you try the seitan wings in buffalo flavor or teriyaki for $7. They have the spicy bold flavor that would have you thinking they were made of meat instead of wheat gluten.
City O’ City’s specialty is pizza. There are imaginative pizza creations offered as well as build-your-own. Their vegan pizza is especially delicious because the non-dairy cheese is very good and tastes similar to real cheese—which is rare. The Florentine pizza is a must try. Its toppings include garlic-infused olive oil, mushrooms, spinach, roma tomatoes, fresh rosemary and a three cheese blend. For a refreshing take on pizza try the Urban Cowgirl with chipotle marinara, pineapple, green pepper, cilantro, onion rings and mozzarella. The 10” pizzas range from $8 to $10 and the 22″ is $18 to $23.
They put a twist on normal fried bar foods and offer items like fried mushrooms, sweet potato jalapeno croquettes and beer-battered onion rings. Dipping sauces include garlic lemon aioli, chipotle marinara and buffalo ranch. The vegan ranch is very good and although not creamy like ranch the seasonings are delightfully flavorful. You can choose one fried item and a sauce for $6 or three for $9.
The menu also offers salads, $5 for a small and $7 for a large as well as wraps on whole wheat tortillas for $2.50 or $7 with an a la carte option. Breakfast is served until 11 a.m.; some items include fried peanut butter and jelly made with banana bread for $3.50 and a burrito for $4.75.
The establishment accommodates an eclectic atmosphere. There are couches in a corner by the window from which you can order and eat food, drink coffee or just sit and do homework. There is traditional seating and a small but quant bar that does not have a wide selection of liquor but they do offer unique beverages. The Samurai Rice Beer is a delightful light beer that is only $2.50 during happy hour. Happy hour is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. to close, daily.
To top of this café’s urban feel, it also serves as a gallery for local artists. Currently Travis Egdey’s work is exhibited. Egdey paints his own acrylic images over paintings from thrift stores or on things he finds.
You can be sure to expect great vegetarian food, an accommodating atmosphere and friendly service at City O’ City. However it is a small and popular place that gets crowded easily, especially on weekend nights, so plan to hang out and meet those crowded in next to you when you go!
City O’ City is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. and from 8 a.m. to midnight on Sunday. For more information visit cityocitydenver.com.
