Troy Guard goes with his gut – a good trait in a chef – and these days, it’s telling him that Denver is ready for more quick, late-night dining options. If true, it would be welcome news for people who have long complained that the pickings are pretty slim after the dinner rush.
Los Chingones cook, Sergio Sandoval makes tacos for an order at the restaurant’s new walk-up window in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
“You go to any other cool city and you can find anything at any time,” he said. “In Denver, we talk a lot about how cool we are, but you can never find anything after 9 p.m. … I’ve never been able to put my finger on why. Maybe it’s because we are outdoorsy and people like to go to bed early so they can get a jump on the day.” Or maybe it’s because bars in Denver are required to close by 2 a.m., as opposed to some other cities, where they stay open until 4 a.m.
So Guard is giving it a shot. In late September, he opened a take-out window at Los Chingones, 2463 Larimer St., that sells quesadillas, burritos, tacos and chips and salsa, and while the window is open all day, the to-go dishes are discounted between 8:30 p.m. and midnight.
“It’s a good gamble and a good opportunity,” said Guard, a longtime Denver restaurateur who also owns TAG Burger Bar, Guard and Grace, Hashtag and other familiar concepts. “We wanted to do something different and shake things up.”
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The window was installed during a recent $750,000 renovation of the decade-old River North Art District restaurant, and while Los Chingoes also has locations in the Denver Tech Center and the Central Park neighborhood in Denver, the window will be limited to RiNo.
Adobo chicken taco, front, and a carne asada taco for an order at the Los Chingones restaurant’s new walk-up window in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Although he now splits his time between Texas and Colorado, Guard used to live in the neighborhood and said there should be enough people coming and going from concerts and shows, sporting events and bars to justify some late-night eats to-go.
He said he will keep it open seven days a week until midnight for a least a year in an effort to make it work. If demand is high enough, he’ll start keeping the inside open late as well.
And speaking of the renovation, Los Chingones is celebrating that, and its 10-year anniversary, with a party on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. There will be guest chefs and bartenders, giveaways and a sneak peek at the XXXmas Pop-Up Bar and the newly redone rooftop. Find tickets, $50, at eventbrite.com.