An ode to Denver's old faithful restaurants

Why it matters: At a time when Denver's losing places left and right, I wanted to highlight five Old Denver restaurants known for their reliable, familiar, and perhaps most importantly, tasty offerings.

🍔 Crown Burgers

• Stepping inside this burger joint is almost like stepping back into the 1990s — a fitting backdrop for a place that's been perfecting its legendary pastrami burger since 1987.

🥯 The Bagel Deli & Restaurant

• This family-owned deli has been stacking sandwiches and serving homemade bagels, breads and sweets from a Hampden Avenue strip mall since 1967 — and its photo-covered walls carry decades of Denver history.

🍝 Gaetano's Italian

• Make no mistake: This is the Denver Italian restaurant, feeding generations of Northsiders, and proudly wearing its Mobster ties on its finely tailored sleeves.

☕️ Butcher Block Cafe

• The venerable and family-owned restaurant boasts some of Denver's best comfort food, with its famous cinnamon rolls often cited as an absolute must-have.

🌯 El Taco De Mexico

• At the undisputed king of the no-fuss, unpretentious, but entirely flavorful Mexican food, you can't go wrong with any of its dishes.