Alex Johnson
Editor-in-Chief
My favorite meal eaten while grinding has to have been the buffalo tempeh sandwich at Watercourse Foods. As a vegetarian I appreciated the protein-rich tempeh, a meat substitute, dressed up and treated like it deserved to be on a sandwich bun with all the classic accoutrements.
I’ve never actually had a drink while grinding (I turn 21 on Jan. 28, just saying …) so alas, I have never been able to enjoy a libation while in the wild.
My favorite Grind article to write was probably my co-authored piece with Managing Editor Sarah Ford, when we covered the punk rock palace of pizza, Two-Fisted Mario’s.
My favorite locale was the aforementioned Two-Fisted Mario’s. It’s a small, grungy joint off of 16th Street downtown. The ceiling has exposed rafters, the booths are uncomfortable, the pizzas come with meat on meat on meat and arcade games adorn a corner for late night fun. But the place has a certain dingy charm that made it my favorite Grind. It exudes a rough-hewn authenticity and doesn’t pretend to be a high-end hipster pizzeria; it’s the kind of place one would go after a roller derby, still drenched in sweat and cloaked in the raiment of victory.
Kameryn Tanita
Lifestyles Editor
My favorite meal while grinding has to be the waffle plate from Waffle Brothers. This plate was the perfect mix between sweet and savory. The two perfectly poached eggs accompanied by bacon, fruit and their famous Belgian waffle, put me in a food coma for hours but it was definitely worth it.
My favorite drink while grinding was at Renegade Publik House. Their 5:00 Afternoon Ale is a light but flavorful beer, perfect for a person like me that isn’t quite the IPA-lover.
My favorite place to cover was Sweet Action. Being lactose intolerant, I was afraid I would miss out on tasting this classic dessert favorite, but everyday, Sweet Action features two Vegan ice cream flavors. Their unassuming atmosphere creates the perfect place to hangout with friends and enjoy some of Colorado’s best dessert.
“For the introverted intellectual who prefers the isolated experience, put your headphones in and get busy with your work, but otherwise, enjoy your personal French press while toe-tapping your feet to some ‘70s era tunes, all while getting to know Denver’s hippest baristas.”
Camilla Sterne
Assistant Lifestyles Editor
My favorite meal consumed in the act of grinding had to be the ramen and steamed buns at Uncle. Melt in your mouth pork belly with perfectly seasoned broth was the perfect medicine for an October evening, and steamed buns are a must-try, particularly the ones at Uncle.
My favorite drink was the two for one margaritas at Las Tortas. All margarita glass rims should be sprinkled with chili-salt, rather than run-of-the-mill margarita salt. Las Tortas knows best when it comes to margaritas.
My favorite place to cover was most likely Maddie’s Restaurant, because breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and I was surrounded by a group of great friends when I did it. Maddie’s lack of pretense and cozy neighborhood feel made me feel right at home, and it has become one of my favorite breakfast places.
“Sometimes all it takes is a good makeover. Like that guy who you went to high school with who used to sit in the back of theatre class breathing a tad too heavily, and then one day went to college, grew a beard, donned an ironic sweater and suddenly exuded sex appeal (almost).”
Sarah Ford
Managing Editor
Having only officially participated in one Grind, a review of Two-Fisted Mario’s co-authored with Editor-In-Chief Alex Johnson, my choices for favorite meal are somewhat limited. However, the slice of pizza from Mario’s was probably not my favorite Grind meal. Having joined with Alex in his trip to Pho Duy for a review, I will say my bowl of rare steak pho has been my favorite Grind meal.
Having to choose between only two drinks consumed on official “Grind” business, a Dr. Pepper from Mario’s and a Boba Tea from Pho Duy, credit for my favorite drink will have to go again to Pho Duy, not that the Dr. Pepper at Mario’s wasn’t great, of course.
Finally, as the coverage of Mario’s has already been, well, covered, I will pass credit to my favorite snarky line off to writer Emma McKay in her piece reviewing everybody’s favorite hipster hangout, Mercury Cafe (or “The Merc”): “If you’re looking for a place to outdo your last socially responsible, eco-friendly, hip hangout spot, then the Mercury is your place.”
