TN Hound passing through Denver with family -- need Pizza rec

[Taylor Condra]

Passing through Denver next Wednesay on the way to Winter Park for a family vacation.

Would like to stop and have pizza for lunch on way from DIA to the mountains. We don't mind venturing off the interstate as we are in no real hurry to get to Winter Park.

I searched and found several threads about pizza in Denver and my mouth is watering at the choices. Nashville is great place to live but it is a complete pizza wasteland, and when we travel we try to make sure to get the things we cant get at home.

My question is, given our trajectory through town where should we go? My kids are not picky eaters, and the wife and I want to start the trip on a good note.

Advice is appreciated.

[Velvet Elvis]

The original Beau Jo's in Idaho Springs is fun and the pizza is really pretty good. As someone said earlier, it is a unique Colorado experience that is fun for the whole family.

Another unique Colorado experience that is fun for the family is Casa Bonita. No, it isn't pizza, and no, the food isn't great, but where else can you find indoor tableside cliff diving?

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Casa Bonita
6715 W Colfax Ave, Lakewood, CO 80214

[e_bone]

This was a fun excercise... I put google maps on DIA and moved across I-70 looking for pizza joints that would at least semi-family friendly (that leaves you out Famous) and not off the path too much (sorry I-heart NY) and that would *also* be memorable (not Anthonys) and semi-Colorado-ish (no chains).

My ideas:
* Serioz in Lowry (a bit of a drive, I think there are better choices but it's good pie)
* Enzo's End on Colfax (great pie, not a great spot)
* LurkerDan's two recs- Protos and Marcos (like them both)
* Two Fisted Marios (it's dumpy but great pie and very unique - not small-kid friendly)
* The Pasquini's in Highland (they are growing so much I fear for quality but I've always had good/great pie there and kids love it)
* Parisi (it's been a while but this was IMO the best pizza in Denver for years)
* Vincenza's deli and pizza- your service will be there or inexistent- but a memorable spot
* I will second the recommendation to go to the original Beau Jo's in Idaho Springs. It's very doughy but I think the flavor is pretty good. It's a unique experience and very Colorado.
* If you can make it all the way to WP before you have pizza let us know and we can talk about that!

[tatamagouche]

Is Two-Fisted Mario's actually good? Love the Salotto...

[e_bone]

yes- style wise it's hard to categorize.. it's a fairly heavy pie.. certainly not NY .. not Neopolitan... not Chicago... I suppose "American style".

tasty sauce... copious cheese... good filling stuff. Great flavor.

[LurkerDan]

Lots of options that in part depend on what you are looking for in a pizza. Proto's is pretty good and not far off I-25 (just a few miles south of I-70, which you will be on). Marco's Coal Fired Pizza is another good option.

If you want something somewhat uniquely Coloradan, there's Beau Jo's in Idaho Springs, but I'm not a huge fan of their pizza.

Or browse this thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/4781...

[ClaireWalter]

Great rec by LurkerDan for Colorado classic. It's really an institution -- and the Idaho Springs location is the original. Theyir salad bar is set up on an old clawfoot tub, there's mining memorabilia all over the place and they serve their root beer (and maybe beer-beer) in mason jars. The walls are/were decoated with paper napkin art done by customers.

My fave in Denver area is Virgilio's in Lakewood -- but I'm originally from Connecticut and so is Virgilio.