Black History month may come to an end, but it should be remembered that support for the Black community must continue. Restaurant patrons can show solidarity and celebrate this community by attending some of these beloved Black-owned restaurants in Denver.
It is more important now than ever to support local businesses with the havoc that COVID has caused. When looking at comparisons, 41% of Black-owned businesses across the United States have closed due to pressures of the pandemic in comparison to 17% of white-owned businesses. Additionally, the likelihood of attaining a loan was three times less likely for Black-owned businesses.
Even before the pandemic, there were oppressive mechanisms in place harming the success of diverse businesses. It is the responsibility of Denverites to show their support.
Ice cream at Smith + Cannon
The unpredictable Denver weather makes eating scoops of Smith + Cannon’s funky flavored ice cream acceptable all year-long.
Vanilla and chocolate flavors make the guest list everywhere, but Smith + Cannon caters to more adventurous eaters with their ability to meld sweet, salty and spicy into one unlikely medium.
A bite of strawberry habanero begins with a burst of spring sweetness from chunks of fruit. The cooling creaminess does not completely cover the bit of spice that comes later on. The duality of its spice and coolness make an interesting bite that shows their depth of creativity. The heat doesn’t stop there. Honey Dew, typically a palate-cleansing flavor, has an added dimension of wasabi.
For a stay on the sweeter side, the Foxy is a cinnamon-roll-inspired dessert. The ice cream is completed by a dose of cream cheese frosting, and they don’t skimp. This quaint shop on Colfax Ave creams the ice cream competition around town.
Hungry Wolf BBQ
Guests of Hungry Wolf BBQ howl for seconds of this home country, soul-soothing barbecue. The menu is composed of familiar dishes, with their mac and cheese acting as a mess of curly pieces coated in velvety yellow and orange sauce.
Here, they don’t need a plethora of toppings. They use the tried-and-true recipe to bring nostalgia and quality to their customers. Their development of flavor comes from a huge smoker outside filled with hickory. It tenderizes the meat and gives enough flavor to stand alone or blend with sauce. Colorado might not be a southern state, but Hungry Wolf BBQ has got barbecue cooking slow and ready to be devoured.
Senegalese at Le French
Take a step into Le French, and the picture of a chic-Parisian-style cafe is curated by natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows, wood accents and gold finish. These Senegalese sisters are bringing their world-traveling background to classic French cuisine.
The menu may seem strictly French with options like escargot, steak frites and bouillabaisse. However, the duo’s memories of homestyle Senegalese food diversifies their options. For example, lamb chops are topped by a vibrant and smooth sweet potato puree that is served with a tamarind mint sauce. The tamarind offers sweetness to tame the gaminess that often comes with lamb.
As any cafe would hope, their pastries are widely beloved. Being an all-day eatery means a buttery croissant is always up for grabs.
Brunch at Intersections
At their breakfast table, this husband and wife team wants to help get your day started right. Intersections values being a space to foster growth through conversation and engagement with others. That is if talking doesn’t go by the wayside once you get lost in their comfort food.
A classic of bacon, eggs and toast hits the spot, but they expand on this breakfast staple. Their crab cake benedict puts their poached egg on crispy crab cakes with an ideal ratio of add-ins. A memorable biscuit and gravy is made up of puffed biscuits with a barrier crust ready to soak in the gravy. To end on the right note, get an order of hot beignets with enough powdered sugar to take over winter.
Intersections sources their ingredients locally, as a testament to their desire to make this place a home for Denverites.
Konjo Ethiopian Food
Get inspired by Konjo Ethiopian Food and what makes up these underrated recipe books. Instead of debating whether to get a burrito or bowl, the carb to contain the variety of sauces and stews here is known as injera. The spongy texture is a cross between a pancake and a crepe. The injera bread replaces the need for utensils because all that is required is ripping a piece and scooping up the stews for each bite.
Konjo has plates with all the necessities of meat, veggies and grains to ensure dishes taste good and are good for you. They began as a food truck but have now taken a long residency at Edgewater Public Market. It is the perfect home for showcasing how diverse Denver can be, as each stand draws from unique backgrounds.
Baked goods at Flick of the Whisk
Flick of the Whisk demonstrate the skills that can come from being self-taught and determined. A hobby has transformed into making artistically-decorated cupcakes featuring multiple tip designs. Owner and baker Bryonna Williams makes sure to give her own twist to typical bakes by stacking multiple layers of cake and cream in glass mason jars. It allows for people to see each crafted layer and the variety of flavors and textures that will come in each bite.
One featured flavor on the menu is cinnamon toast crunch, except the milk element of the cereal is replaced with frosting. The strawberry shortcake is dusted in the same coating as strawberry shortcake bars from childhood ice cream trucks. These cakes are great for celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries. Fun toppers, gold leaves, and fresh flowers find their place on the cakes. Flick of the Whisk has countless additions for cake that we’ll never be sick of.
Each of these locations satisfies a different craving and mood for the meal. All of them make the patron happy and create community through food. Our appreciation for Black folks and what they contribute must go deeper than a month. Engage with these Black-owned restaurants in Denver, as well as other lists that provide more places beyond these six.
