The Ginger Pig has a recipe for the Hill
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The Ginger Pig on University Hill. Photo: Mitchell Byars/Axios Boulder
The Ginger Pig may give a glimpse at how University Hill can grow up without pricing out its college-town roots.
Why it matters: The takeout-only street food spot pairs the affordability and convenience that long defined Hill dining with the culinary prestige Boulder covets.
Catch up quick: Chef Natascha Hess launched The Ginger Pig as a food truck in 2016, and it became a fixture at the Boulder County Farmers Market and Rayback Collective before Hess opened a stall at Rosetta Hall in 2019.
- In 2020, Hess turned The Ginger Pig into a full-fledged Denver brick and mortar, which later earned Michelin's Bib Gourmand designation — recognizing eateries with high-quality food at a good value.
- The Ginger Pig returned to Boulder in October 2023, opening at 1203 13th St. on University Hill, in the former La Choza space.
The vibe: Rather than re-create her Denver operation, Hess essentially returned to The Ginger Pig's food truck roots with a hole-in-the-wall outpost.
- The roughly 400-square-foot Hill location is takeout-only, with a walk-up window and a streamlined menu.
What to expect: The Boulder spot leans into Asian street food, with $15-$20 rice bowls and bento boxes featuring fried chicken, char siu pork, Thai basil beef, miso eggplant or tofu.
- Plenty of dishes still reflect The Ginger Pig's culinary roots, including Beijing-style pork dumplings, Chinese smashed cucumber salad and house kimchi.
- But the menu also includes Asian spins on college staples like hot dogs, grilled cheese, burgers and chicken sandwiches, some for less than $10.
My thought bubble: The Ginger Pig's kimchi grilled cheese is my new favorite comfort food, with buttery bread and melty cheese serving as a nice contrast to the crunchy and spicy kimchi.
The bottom line: Ginger Pig is proof that University Hill restaurants don't have to choose between serving students and offering award-winning fare.