The gates of the Rockies’ stadium have welcomed in loyal fans once again. Purple, white and black decorates the neighborhood from fans supporting their favorite player. Ticket holders and those looking for a night out can begin by stopping by The Original (OG) Denver, a new restaurant with a modern diner aesthetic.
The pristine spot trades in vibrant red booths for a chic grey alternative, but it maintains the classic diner high-top counter seating. The environment combines the old and new with industrial accents and creates a nostalgic setting.
The Original’s goal is to bring the playfulness and comfort that diner food has while incorporating new takes on diner classics. It forgoes the stuffiness of fine dining by incorporating clever references among their menu items like “Give me the beet boys and free my bowl” and “Shake, rattle and roll.”
This progressive style of dining is usually criticized for its small plating, but The Original offers portions that might need sharing. Their food leaves people feeling warm and comforted.
The menu has a wide variety of items to ensure every customer finds an enticing dish. The menu boasts some unlikely mashups of traditional diner dishes.
A diner is not complete without burgers and sliders, which happen to be a starting option at The Original. Their wagyu patties are the perfect 80/20 blend, making each burger juicy and moist. Instead of being housed in the comforts of a Hawaiian or sesame-studded bun, they are nestled on cronuts—crazy combinations from esteemed New York City baker Dominique Ansel. The flakey layers of the airy doughnut play on the classic sweet and savory flavor profiles.
Another surprising start comes from their creamy crab and trout dip. The Original has its own spin on things, making this dip addictive. They leave an unopened bag of Bugles for guests to use as their chips. The Bugles give the dish an extra salty touch that party dips cannot live without.
Many courses can be an entirely different experience for each customer, as options include the basic breakfast to a holiday feast. The east coast breakfast comes with the beloved stack of pancakes or the iconic sunny-side-up egg. The pancakes have extra air and a tangy flavor due to the addition of a sourdough starter. Their praline butter affirms that it could serve as dessert instead.
For those looking for a truly hearty and home-style meal, the go-to item has to be the short rib stroganoff. It combines two iconic family meals—pot roast and beef stroganoff. The shredded short rib barely holds together on top of egg noodles. Similar to a pot roast, the meat has more time to render down and develop flavor from its slow cooking process. All stroganoffs combine the earthiness of mushrooms with the meatiness of a good steak, and this is no different. The mushroom gravy coats both the noodles and beef, creating a rich sauce.
Their prime rib is an appeal to old souls. Although it is one of the most expensive items on the menu, it is not as pricey compared to other restaurants and large enough to share. This steak and potato dish is a Hasselback potato, which is thinly cut all the way down until it opens like an accordion. They load it with bacon, cheese, sour cream and chives.
Like any good diner, they make sure to offer a dessert menu that cannot be turned down. Patrons are excited for their final sweet bites before the meal starts because right past the entrance is the glass pie case. One timely obsession combines a fudgy brownie with scoops of vanilla ice cream. The molted middle melts the ice cream instantly, and the drizzle of caramel adds a salty finish. The crunchy pretzels and pecans add texture to the cast iron it comes in.
The Original balances elegance and complex flavors, and they provide a sense of comfort to all those that come through. The restaurant opened up just in time for baseball season, giving the Rockies competition when it comes to home runs.
