A Guide to Ethnic & Locally Owned Independent Eats in Aurora
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a guide to ethnic & locally owned independent eats in Aurora About the writer… Rebecca Caro is a freelance food and travel writer and author of the award-winning blog, From Argentina With Love. Rebecca teaches cooking classes at Whole Foods, The Seasoned Chef Cooking School, and Colorado Free University. She has appeared at the Museo de las Americas and on the Departure Time show on Studio 1430 AM. Her recipes have been featured on the Food Network UK and Wines of Argentina websites. Rebecca recently finished the second level of the diploma course at the International Sommelier Guild. She has written for a number of publications, including DRAFT magazine, 5280 magazine, Cookie magazine, and DiningOut magazine among others. Special thanks to the local food experts who were so helpful in the writing of this guide: Ruth Tobias, Adrian Miller and Joe Nguyen. PRICING KEY $=$10 and under $$=$10-$20 $$$=$20-$40 $$$$=$40 and up LOCATION INFORMATION Each restaurant has a number next to it indicating where in the city the establishment is located. Please refer to the map on page 18 for location information. The city of Aurora and Visit Aurora produced this guide in hopes that it serves as a resource to help you explore the many great ethnic and independent eateries in Aurora. Every effort was made to ensure that the information within is accurate. And, while we can’t guarantee that, we would love to know if we missed your favorite spot or something listed has changed. So, if you have helpful feedback, please drop us a note at [email protected]. Thanks and Bon Appetit! Access Aurora ❘ 303-739-7000 ■ ■ TABLE OF CONTENTS FRENCH MEXICAN • Daniel’s of Paris . 7 • Ajuua . .12 • La Creperie . .7 ■ AFRICAN • Blue Agave Mexican Restaurant . .12 • African Grill & Bar . 1 ■ GERMAN • Casa Vallarta . 12 • East African Restaurant . 1 • Bender’s Brat Haus . .7 • Don Emilio’s Mexican Restaurant . 12 • Hessini Roots . 1 • Helga’s German Restaurant & Deli . 7 • Dora’s Mexican Restaurant . 12 • Ifka Café . .1 • El Camaron Loco . 12 • Mandeeq Restaurant & Café . 1 ■ GREEK • El Lucerito . .12 • Athenian . .7 • El Parralito . .12 ■ AMERICAN • Dumitri’s Family Restaurant . .7 • Apple Creek . .1 • El Patron . 12 • Bean Tree . 1 ■ HAWAIIAN • El Pelicano . .13 • Bent Fork . .1 • L & L Hawaiian BBQ . .8 • Guadalajara . 13 • Bliss Cupcakes . 1 • Rumbi Island Grill . 8 • Guadalajara Authentic Mexican Buffet . 13 • The Brew Hut . .1 • T & T Hawaiian BBQ . .8 • La Cueva . 13 • Brewery Bar IV . .2 • Las Hadas . .13 ■ INDEPENDENT (See American) • Brooks Smokehouse & Catering . .2 • Las Tortugas . .13 • Dads & Dudes Breweria . 2 ■ INDIAN • Los Farolitos . .13 • Dozens . 2 • Jai Ho Indian Kitchen . 8 • Los Toritos . .13 • Dry Dock Brewing Co . .2 • Masalaa . .8 • Lupita’s . .13 • Emerald Isle . 2 • Star of India . .8 • Emil-Lene’s Sirloin House . 2 • Neveria Las Chucheriaz . .14 • Jim ‘N Nick’s . 3 ■ IRISH (See British) • Puerta Vallarta No . 3 . .14 • Johnny’s Diner . .3 • Real de Minas Mexican Grill . 14 • Latta’s Bagels & Coffee . 3 ■ ITALIAN • Señor Miguel’s New Mexican . .14 • Meadow Hills Grill . 3 • Armando’s . 8 • Señor Ric’s . 14 • The Movie Tavern . 3 • Bent Noodle . .8 • Super Express . 14 • Carmine Lonardo’s Italian Deli . .9 • Murphy Creek Golf Course Tavern . 3 • Tacos Y Salsas . 14 • Mama Alvino’s Pizzeria . 9 • The Rock Restaurant . 3 • Tequila’s Family Mexican Restaurant . .14 • Rosie’s Diner . 3 • Wholly Cannoli Café . .9 • Titi’s . .14 • Royal Hilltop . 4 ■ JAPANESE • Saddle Rock Grill . .4 • Hana Sushi . .9 TACO TRUCKS • Sam’s No . 3 . .4 • Happy Teriyaki . .9 • El Costeño . .14 • Stampede . 4 • La Cascada . 15 • Summit Steakhouse . 4 • Mt . Fuji Sushi & Hibachi . 9 • Shinjuku Japanese Steakhouse . 9 • Tin Cup Bar & Grill . 4 ■ MIDDLE EASTERN • Sonoda’s . .9 • The Wine Experience Café & World Cellar . 4 • Café Paprika . .15 • Sushi Katsu . .9 ■ BRITISH • Tokyoya Bowl & Bowl . .9 • Tasty Kabob . 15 • English Tea Cup . 4 ■ RUSSIAN • McCabe’s . 5 ■ KOREAN • McDonough’s Pub . 5 • Al Bae Nae . .10 • Mirage Restaurant & Nightclub . .15 • Café Sky . 10 • Royal International Cuisine . 15 ■ CHINESE • Dah Won Rice Cake . 10 • Solomon’s Grocery & European Deli . 15 • Chef Liu’s Café . 5 • Han Kang Korean . 10 • Teremok Russian Crepe Café . .15 • China Jade . .5 • Korea House . .10 ■ • Dragon Boat . 5 • Midopa . .10 SOUTH/CENTRAL AMERICAN • East China Asian Cuisine . .5 • O Bok Korean Rice Cake Bakery . 10 • El Alamo Grande . 16 • Formosa Garden . .5 • Seoul BBQ . .10 • La Guatemalteca . 16 • Fortune Kitchen . 5 • Silla . 10 • Little Wagon Steakhouse/La Pradera . .16 • Golden Phoenix . 5 • Golden Wok Asian . 5 ■ MARKETS ■ THAI • Joy Asian Cuisine . 6 • Aladdin Market . .11 • Ban Thai (formerly Sue of Siam) . .16 • Paradise Asian Café . 6 • Arash Middle Eastern Market . .11 • Thai Flavor . 16 • Tao Tao Noodle Bar . .6 • Carneceria Guadalajara . .11 • Thai Garden . 16 • Tea Station . .6 • E Mart . 11 • Thai Landing . 16 • Tsai Shen Garden . 6 • Elite Deli Fruits & Vegetables . .11 • Thai Street Food . 17 • Wan’s Mandarin House . 6 • Europa Grocery . .11 • Ya Ting Asian Cuisine . 6 • Gomez Market . 11 ■ VIETNAMESE ■ ENGLISH (See British) • H-Mart . 11 • Egg Roll King East . 17 • Krungthai Imports . .11 • Golden Saigon . 17 ■ ETHIOPIAN • Mi Pueblo Market . .11 • Kim Ba Vietnamese . 17 • Addis Ababa of Colorado . .6 • Midopa Market . .11 • New Orient . 17 • Nile Ethiopian Café . .6 • Rancho Liborio . .11 • Selam Ethiopian Restaurant . .7 • Pho 79 . 17 • Sathvik Foods . 12 • Pho Duy II . .17 ■ FILIPINO ■ MEDITERRANEAN • Pho-Yo . 17 • SunBurst Grill . .7 (see Greek, Middle Eastern) • Taste of Saigon . .17 AFRICAN restaurants 4 Ifka Café 5 Bent Fork 1535 S . Havana St ., #M 12191 E . Iliff Ave . 5 African Grill & Bar 303-535-1017 303-337-6600 • bentforkgrill .com 1010 S . Peoria St . Daily 8:30 a .m . to 10 p .m ., $ Sunday through Thursday 11 a .m . to 9 p .m . 303-745-3423 • afrikangrill .com Ifka Café brings the café experience of Somalia Daily 10 a .m . to midnight, full bar, $$ Friday 11 a .m . to 10 p .m . to your doorstep . Try the sambusa (a fried Saturday 11 a .m . to 9:30 p .m ., full bar, $$ Osei Ford-Wuo and his wife Adwoa began by pocket of meat or vegetables) or the bajiye delivering West African food from a van, and in (lentil fritters) accompanied by shaah (traditional The Bent Fork is a casual, yet perfect place for 2010 settled in their Peoria Street location, spiced tea) . Ifka also offers more substantial a celebratory meal, and offers a diverse menu where they have fostered a family restaurant plates, like fouel, a tomato-bean stew served of time-honored favorites and modern classics atmosphere by welcoming everyone who walks with spongy anjera bread, or kalluun, a fried without being too spendy, all served in a trendy fish filet . Arrive early for the best selections . through the door and serving them authentic, space . Try the Green Chile Mac & Cheese or the made-to-order dishes . Happy to walk 4 Maandeeq Restaurant & Café Rocky Mountain Salmon, and finish with a newcomers through a menu and ingredients 1535 S . Havana St ., #H Crème Brulee or a Chocolate Martini for that may be unfamiliar to them, diners feel right 303-745-2355 dessert . at home ordering Ghanaian “chop bar” classics Daily 7:30 a .m . to 10 p .m ., no alcohol, $ like Boforot (a type of fluffy donut), FuFu with Maandeeq is a meeting place for Somalian 9 Bliss Cupcakes goat, Jollof rice with fried plantains, and peanut expats in search of the comfort foods of home . 6205 S . Main St ., D101 soup . There’s no menu here—it changes daily 303-974-6440 • blisscupcakes .com 4 East African Restaurant according to availability, but those in search of Monday through Saturday 10 a .m . to 9 p .m . 2222 S . Havana St . a different eating experience won’t be Sunday 11 a .m . to 6 p .m ., no alcohol, $ 303-337-4476 • e-africanresturant .com disappointed . The Somali menu draws not only Daily 7 a .m . to 10 p .m ., no alcohol, $ traditional foods like hilib ari (roasted goat), but After an afternoon of shopping at Southlands also on the influences from those who have had mall, there’s no better treat than a stop at this East African Restaurant specializes, naturally, in contact with Somalia—like spaghetti and locally owned cupcake shop . Cupcakes at Bliss the specialties of East African countries, tomato sauce, a nod to the Italian presence are made fresh daily . Try one of the 10 (flavors especially Somalia, and all dishes are Halal, or there . Mango or guava juice round out the meal . made in accordance with Islamic dietary laws . like red velvet and strawberry buttercream) to Start with a watermelon or mango juice and AMERICANAMERICAN restaurants eat on the spot, order from a menu of more than order Mid-East-inspired Kabobs . Or try the 70 cupcake flavors from chai to butter pecan, 4 Apple Creek Maraq—a vegetable soup studded with or create your own combination . With three 10600 E . Iliff Ave . pasta—an homage to the Italian colonial sizes and a myriad of flavors, a bite of one of 303-306-6300 presence in Somalia . East African Restaurant is Monday through Friday 11 a .m . to 9 p .m . their mouth-watering cupcakes, is, well, bliss! located in what literally seems to be a global Saturday & Sunday 8 a .m . to 9 p .m ., full bar, $ village—in the same shopping area as Sushi 8 The Brew Hut Katsu, Dah Wan, Tana Market and Addis Ababa Apple Creek is a restaurant like those so 15108 E . Hampden Ave . Ethiopian Restaurant . popular in generations past, serving your 303-680-8898 • thebrewhut .com favorite American-style homemade classics Monday through Friday 10 a .m .