denver airport restaurant

[rty]

We have an 2.5 hours layover at the Denver Airport on a Saturday night between 7pm-9:30pm.We are looking for someplace to eat.

[selfportrait93]

Am interested in updates on this topic because I have a 4 hour wait with my family this coming June coming from South Dakota. Will probably use this time to eat a good meal at DIA rather than in Rapid City.

[tatamagouche]

One warning: my experience of Concourse A was that no one except McDonald's was serving food at like 9:30. Or rather they weren't seating anymore. I got the sense from talking to servers that they fudge their supposed hours depending on traffic. So for instance I could see people being served at Denver Chophouse & Brewery but the doors were locked.

[ClaireWalter]

Selfportraint93 - It might have been more accurate to wrige, "a better meal at DIA" than at the Rapid City Airport. DIA has better food than it once did, but in the great scheme of world airport eateries, it still has a long way to go.

[tatamagouche]

We've got a redeye tonight; it's out of A, but we can go at any time... I was curious about Timberline in Concourse C? Had a Caesar from there a couple weeks ago that wasn't bad and it "specializes" in game...

[hungrynick]

Haven't eaten there; Mesa Verde on second floor of I think A is tolerable, good caesar. Pour, Jimmy's also ok. Airport food is never that good; even the La Casita branch there leaves something to be desired.

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La Casita
333 N Main St, Springville, UT 84663

[ClaireWalter]

Is Mesa Verde the one that is or was the smoling-permitted restaurant?

[Veggo]

Claire, hopefully you are asking because you are a non-smoler?

[ClaireWalter]

I am a non-smoker, but I was posing the question because it might be an issue, one way or another, for other 'Hounds.

[Veggo]

Claire, I was trying to make a funny from your typo, I know you to be a wholesome person. I may be wrong, but I think the only places that allow smoking at DIA are those mysterious lounges, that charge fees, and remind me of opium dens from days of old. Creepy.
To the Op's query, I think DIA has as many decent food options, artsy exhibits, shops, and pleasant diversions as any airport in the US.

[air]

Late response but Timberline does have more "gamier" options. I do like going there for some pre-flight pints, especially because they rotate the drafts based on seasons, so they stay pretty fresh. The only food I've tried is a buffalo burger, and it has always come out overcooked even though I've begged them to make it medium the two times I've ordered it. Also Timberline has a smoking lounge in a separate room; it's directly connected to the restaurant.

[ToddBradley]

Yeah, I was so excited when I discovered it earlier this year as I was flying out of Concourse A. But when I walked up to it, I hit a wall of cigarette smoke about 30 feet away and it blew me over. Regardless of the quality of the food, I couldn't bear to eat there, so I had to settle for one of the fast food joints.

[ToddBradley]

Yes, Claire. That's the one. I went by there on my last trip out of DIA. The menu sounded good, but when I got close I hit a wave of cigarette smoke that totally ruined my appetite. So I settled for fast food downstairs. If it weren't for the smoking (or smoling) I'd definitely try it.

[Megiac]

Avoid the Mexican place upstairs in concourse B.

[inxs]

Best restaurant in DIA hands down is Jimmys in Concourse A. People actually get to the airport early to eat there. I was nervous but ventured to try the swordfish tacos and was pleasantly surpised at the quality.

[elizabeth2929]

Our favorite is Lefty's Mile High on the UAL concourse. Good French Dip Sandwich (me); good Reuben (spouse). Alas, too tight a connection yesterday to eat there and I missed our usual summer routine.

[Bill Hunt]

Sounds interesting. We usually do not find ourselves on Concourse A, but will try and check it out next week, even though we're flying UAL.

Thanks,

Hunt

[inxs]

I usually travel out of B Concourse as well but Jimmys is right by the shuttle stop. they also have pretty good wine list. My friends from NY actually discovered it and started talking to a guy drinking a bottle of wine by himself who told them he was a wine distributor and eats there all the time.

[BruceB]

I had a great dinner at Chef Jimmy's last night based on your tip -- spinach salad, pasta caprese, and blueberry cheesecake. Friendly and fast service as well. Thanks!

[Bill Hunt]

On the UAL concourse, we had a marvelous meal at Pour La France. This was in their "sit-down" restaurant, not their more casual spot. They are together, so you need to talk to your host/hostess, to make sure that you do the former. For any ariport in the world, it was at the top - service, food and wine. Even SFO, which has some good dining options was behind this spot. I'd put their wine list above even the many International First lounges around the globe, where the wine is free! If I were stuck at DIA for a couple of hours, this would be my stop.

Hunt

[ThaGroovinGourmet]

I'll thumbs up Pour La France. The paté plate is excellent.

But if I'm ever stuck at DIA again, I'll definitely head for New Belgium. Gotta be from the brewery, and Fat Tire is probably my single favorite beer.

[Bill Hunt]

Yeah, New Begium sounds great. We had 2 6 hr. layovers in a long week, and did Pour La France twice, plus the Red Carpet Club. Now I know where to break it up a bit, thanks to the CH board.

Hunt

[Heyteacher]

I live in Denver and didn't know about this New Belgium restaurant?! I fly Frontier most days so I don't visit Concourse B very often....I will have to now though! Thanks for the info!

[former minnesotan]

I actually had a really good meal at DIA in July. I ate at the New Belgium Brewing Co. Restaurant at the end of Concourse B (before that last newer section with regional gates that veers off to the right from the main concourse B). My meal was somewhat expensive, but the portions were large and I enjoyed everything on my plate. I had fish and chips with cole slaw and salad. My server was excellent, but other staff were not so good.

[Bill Hunt]

Have not dined at New Belgium Brewing Co, but it sounds great. Do not know how closely, they are affiliated with the brewery, by the same name in Ft Collins, CO, but if it is, and the food is as good as the beer, it should be a must-do.

Hunt

[Questionswork]

The Rock Bottom Restaurant (concourse C) restaurant was not as clean as one would expect for the prices charged (12 bucks and up for most things).

The orange served in the beer was dried out which means it was an old one left over from a day or so ago, beer was okay but for the same price I could have had a stella someplace else and enjoyed it more.

A very flimsy plastic knife and fork and tiny paper napkin is given to you which is always a warning. The Mac and Cheese had too much pepper, most likely to cover up for the lack of taste overall (if this is a signature dish, I wonder if they really want to promote it as such and have their staff encourage people to order...as my waiter did).

The salad was okay but they could reduce the portions they won't end up serving as many stalky and tough pieces of the lettuce. Overall, a disappointment given that they are based in Colorado...

Denver International Airport...be proud of your state...bring local restaurants in that really want to showcase their talent and your community.

[Bill Hunt]

Ugh, that does not bode well for the Rock Bottom Restaurant.

Thanks for reporting. While sorry to hear, I will give it a wide berth.

Appreciated,

Hunt