Events for the week of May 12 – May 18.
Be sure to check our Events Calendar for future events around town.
food truck
The Denver Flea 2014 – Our Kind of Festival
Want to attend one of the most-anticipated, coolest Spring festivals happening RIGHT HERE in Denver, Colorado?
Picture courtesy of The Denver Flea’s Facebook page – check ’em out and LIKE ‘EM!
Check out The Denver Flea 2014 on May 24th, and experience Colorado’s own home-made crafts, food, and craft beer – all brought to you in one beautiful setting: Denver City Park.
Look at this gem, courtesy of the DenverSpeax archive!
Pavillion within City Park Credit: Kirsten Ebey May 2013
Kick off Spring (almost Summer) by enjoying Colorado’s finest; feel great about supporting your community. Also, spend some cash and feel good about it because:
Picture courtesy of The Denver Flea site – click on the pic to check it out!
All of the fun kicks off at 2 pm; make sure you view The Denver Flea website for additional information, including a full list of vendors, food trucks, and craft brews available MAY 1st, 2014.
Can’t wait to see you there!
Tour de Fat is only DAYS AWAY in Denver!
Tour de Fat is only DAYS AWAY in Denver!
Follow this link to check out the Parade Route, food vendors involved, as well as how you can rent a B-Cycle for the event if you’re bikeless. Don’t forget to check out your beer line up for Tour de Fat, sponsored by New Belgium. Registration starts at 10 am – see you there!
Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs – “Off the Street & Into Your Mouth”
Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dog stand hanging out by the food trucks near the pavillion at City Park Jazz. Credit: Kirsten Ebey, July 2013
With menu items like Alaska Reindeer, Wild Boar, and Southwest Buffalo, how can you NOT check this food stand out? Honestly, I’m going to take this very opportunity to throw this out there: I’m not a hot dog person. Actually, they make me sick. Now, let me reiterate the ingredients in these gourmet dogs again: buffalo, wild boar, deer… Gourmet dogs with specified ingredients? Hell yeah – I can totally get down with that!
Check out this meat-in-your-face menu! Reindeer? Um, yes, please. Credit: Kirsten Ebey, July 2013
My gourmet dog of choice just so happened to be Elk Jalapeno Cheddar; additional condiments of sautéed onions, cream cheese, spicy mustard, relish, and ketchup turned this already-glorious find into a hot, mouth-watering mess of awesome. Even better? They don’t charge an arm and a leg like some other food trucks capitalizing on us starving, buzzed up City Park Jazz goers. Plus, the ladies and gentleman manning the stand are hilarious – I want to be their friends, like all the time.
Keep an eye out for their stand, and make sure to click on the pictures in this feature to be re-directed to Biker Jim’s Facebook page!
Hey PB&J – An old-time favorite with a new twist!
Who doesn’t love PB&J’s (Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches)? This new, creative spin on an old-time favorite is definitely a hit, and the mobility of the foodtruck allows Hey PB&J to travel to numerous events during the ever-so busy Denver summer months.
Looking up the street from the side of Hey PB&J truck. Credit: Kirsten June 2013
Such a hit within the community, you’d think that Hey PB&J had been around a while; however, they just started up their foodtruck engine in May 2012, says owner Matt McDonald. At this point, they have one truck, and constantly tour around Denver serving up their own deliciously sweet, savory, and spicy sandwiches.
Ingredients include anything from a variety of fruit, special peanut butter, special jellies, Nutella, applewood smoked bacon – you name it. Take a peak at their menu here so the next time you run into them at an event, or parked on the street, you will have an idea of what to try first… and second!
Kat and Mitchell scoping out the Hey PB&J truck on the way to Westword Music Showcase. Credit: Kirsten Ebey June 2013
Yesterday, we had just gotten to Westword when we saw the truck, and were still stuffed from our morning meals, so we were unable to try all of the deliciousness that Hey PB&J has to offer. By the looks of their following on Facebook, and their eclectic. mouth-watering menu, this foodtruck is bound to find a favorite spot in our hearts and our bellies.
Make sure you stop by and support this local foodtruck venture; here’s all of their info in case you forgot to click on the links in the pictures provided! Can’t wait to see you at Hey PB&J this summer.
It’s All About Community – City Park Jazz
Pavillion within City Park Credit: Kirsten Ebey May 2013
A relaxing Sunday afternoon approaches us, filled with sunshine, yard games, friends and family, and, yes – Jazz in the Park. I’m referring to City Park Jazz in Denver, which happens only 10 times each summer, specifically on Sundays from 6 – 8 pm MST. Free concerts consisting of mostly jazz, salsa, and blues genres bring the community of all ages together drawing on a tradition that actually began 130 years ago.
City Park Jazz, a charity that is community-based and supported, consists of numerous volunteers that collect donations during the free show and help with the upkeep of the park before, during, and after. Many groups show their support and love for Denver, but not quite like this organization; honestly, nothing shows love for Denver like collecting over 80,000 fans in a single City Park Jazz season (2011 – Credit: City Park Jazz).
What’s so cool about sitting in a random park on a Sunday listening to music? Oh, I’ll tell you, my friends:
Lynz visiting from LA May 2013 Credit: Kirsten Ebey
Atmosphere
The park boasts 317 acres of raw, beautiful landscape including Ferril Lake, the infamous boathouse, ponds, paths, wide-open grassy areas, and trees new and old. The sounds from City Park Jazz only enhance the surrounding beauty.
Moguls on a walk in City Park May 2013 Credit: Kirsten Ebey
Dog Watching
You can bring your dog (on a leash)! Many people do, which calls for a pretty eclectic mix of Denver’s canines. My friend Shawna is very good at pointing out specific breeds of dogs and filling me in, which is super interesting! We’ve seen some pretty cool, rare breeds that I doubt I’ll be able to see again (anywhere short of watching Animal Planet). If you bring your four-legged friend, please remember bags for their business, and keep in mind that 100’s of dogs will be in the surrounding area. Trust me, it’s not made for everyone.
People Watching
Do I need to explain? You have thousands of individuals in one area of Denver. Entertaining is an understatement.
Food
You can make and bring your own, or hit up a few of Denver’s finest Food Trucks. Note your wait time will be long unless you visit the trucks early.
Hanging out at City Park Jazz May 2013 Credit: Some dude nice enough to take the picture for us. Thanks!
Friends and Family Time
I hope I don’t only speak for myself when I say that I absolutely love being with my friends and family, hanging out, drinking a few beers (you can bring that, too!), and playing yard games, like LadderBall. At City Park Jazz, you can do all of these things in the presence of those who are most awesome in your life, while listening to music for free. Pack up some snacks and a cooler of beer, and scope out / secure a spot early before the show starts. There’s plenty of room, but depending on your viewing preferences, or yard games being hauled along (badminton requires a little more space, just saying), get there before 4 pm MST to secure your epic location. You don’t want to be stuck next to the smelly guy and the screaming child, do you? Also, if parking close to the park, you’re going to need to leave EXTRA early. If you can walk or bike there, that’s your best bet.
So there you have it – the rundown on City Park Jazz. It’s such a cool experience that this great city offers and should definitely not be passed up this summer. Check out the schedule of acts booked, and scam the website for additional information on how to get involved with the organization.
Tacos, Tequila, and Whiskey – Yes, please!
Honestly, I ask you – what else do you need from a modern, Mexican eatery? Not only is the food outrageously good, the wait staff is incredible within this dim, but welcoming, restaurant.
Lengua (left) and Pollo (right) street tacos served at the restaurant. Credit: Kirsten Ebey June 2013
Inspired by “comida de la calle” or, Mexican Street Food, Pinche Tacos brings the street taco to a whole new level, serving up perfectly portioned favorites like pollo (chicken), carne (beef), carnita (pork), and new faves, like lengua (beef tongue). Served on two small tortillas, the tacos are ordered from what looks like a tapas-inspred menu, complete with appetizers like the mouth-watering queso fundido con tequila (see picture below).
Personally, working in the Food & Beverage industry, I have my eyes peeled for a few things: righteously-flavored food with a presentation, a waitstaff that could either be my new best friend or I barely notice (depends on the scale of restaurant being visited), and a cool ambience. Pinche’s Tacos (yes, for all of my Spanish-speaking friends, that’s the real name) delivers all three, and makes it look effortless.
Queso Dip at Pinche Tacos – credit: Kirsten Ebey June 2013
Because of this (and building / seating constraints), wait times can, and most likely will, exceed 45 minutes during peak times (weekends, dinner); this should NOT stop you from visiting either the Highlands location, or the Capital Hill location on York. Grab a drink at the bar! There is an indoor dining area complete with bar in addition to outdoor patio seating featured at the York location (closest to where I live – have not checked out Highlands yet). Also, for all of our bike lovers here in Denver, there are ample, secure places to lock up your bike (again, I speak for York). Don’t feel like stopping by and sitting down? No worries – they have their own food truck! Hunt them down.
Pinche Limeade credit: Kirsten Ebey – May 2013
If you’re concerned about who to bring – don’t be. Pinche Tacos is appropriate for all ages. The 21+ crowd will definitely enjoy the Happy Hour menu. I strongly recommend the Pinche Limeade, and look forward to trying their other signature drinks. Shouldn’t be too difficult as members of the DenverSpeax crew roll into Pinche’s every week.
Hope to see you there! Cheers and Happy Eats.
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