Reader: Cherry Creek is the Indian burial ground of restaurants

By Patricia Calhoun Wed., Sep. 26 2012 at 6:58 AM

sfweekly.com

Pies at Patxi's Chicago Pizza.

Before we move on to controversies in other restaurant neighborhoods, we're taking one more turn around Cherry Creek.

That's where Rodney's closed this weekend, prompting Denver Dave to say that Cherry Creek North is "just becoming another food court in any mall USA."

That rallied the CCN defenders, including JPL35, who offered this:

There is also a new pizza restaurant, famous from the Bay Area, called Patxi's, opening. Not sure if it's good but it's not a chain. Also, Machete is killing it!! Yes, Rodney's had a good run but now it's over and others will come along and shine.

Hmmm...a Chicago-style pizza place out of the Bay Area opening a spot in Cherry Creek? Sounds like a link in a chain to us (even if the pizza is delicious).

But in his comment, Firkin focuses on the new spots that have already opened in Cherry Creek:

Machete, Margs, La Merise, theHawt Dog, Tony P.'s, Phat Thai.
Yeah, and how many of these places will still be there in 18 months? One or two, maybe?

Cherry Creek: the old Indian burial ground of restaurant neighborhoods.

Which restaurants will survive in Cherry Creek? Can the pies frmo Patxi's compete with those from Tony P's? And what spots would work in this neighborhood? Post your thoughts below.

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Location Info

Venue

Map

Machete Tequila + Tacos

2817 E. 3rd Ave., Denver, CO

Category: Restaurant

Patxi's Pizza

185 Steele St., Denver, CO

Category: Restaurant

La Merise

2700 E. 3rd Ave., Denver, CO

Category: Restaurant

Tony P's

240 Milwaukee St., Denver, CO

Category: Restaurant

The Hawt Dog & Sausage Eatery

3030 E. 2nd Ave., Denver, CO

Category: General

Phat Thai

2900 E. 2nd Ave., Denver, CO

Category: Restaurant

Tags:

Hawt Dog, La Merise, machete, Margs Taco Bistro, Patxi's pizza, Phat Thai, Rodney's, Tony P's

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Guest

Cherry Creek does not appeal to hipsters and/or people in their low 20s who want to party aggressively. Yet, there are numerous popular chains AND quality independent restaurants in Cherry Creek. Although Cherry Creek would not be featured on an Anthony Bourdain show, there are plenty of worthwhile places to eat and drink there. No need for excessive hyperbole. I'm fairly certain every tasteful person in Colorado would prefer to eat a day's meals in Cherry Creek North over the Colorado Mills Food Court.

If Cherry Creek wants to attract more people, the neighborhood will need to appeal to young people and hipsters. Enabling the neighborhood to appeal to young people and hipsters would require lower rent (or subsidies) to attract edgy restauranteurs and more friendly bureaucracy regarding things such as liquor licenses and patio regulations. However, both low rent and lax bureaucracy are unlikely in Cherry Creek as the landlords are greedy and many residents have a fun killing NIMBY mentality.