Daniel S.
Yelp
On June 30, 2022 around 7:32 pm (one check-in); my brother, dad, and I had dinner in the Appaloosa Grill. We were hanging out in the heart of the 16th Street Mall sipping beer in Henry's Tavern across the street when the Yelp app led us here for dinner. It was the pictures of the lobster rolls that were influential in the decision. However, we would order other items.
The Appaloosa Grill is a bar and restaurant that benefits from a fantastic location at the crossroads of the 16th Street Mall and Welton Street that is in the shadows of the Colorado Convention Center, Daniel & Fishers Tower, Denver Pavilions, and the heart of Downtown. So, it is no surprise that when we walked in there was a thirty minute wait. Because it is in the heart of Downtown that was no problem. We waited it out across the street in The Outdoor Space.
When we walked in, the host led us into the room on the right. This was a dimly lit room that some would say is "divy." It was so dim that I would say that if your on a date that it can be intimate. That is if the band is off and the noise level is low. The room was just dim enough that there was little effort reading the menu.
Looking at the menu, I contemplated ordering the fish & chips. Upon some pre-ordering research, I saw that they only featured two patties. So, I ordered the steak and fries ($26. Might be $28 now). The frites were garlic parmesan french fries. With it, I ordered a Coke instead of an adult beverage from the bar in the adjacent room that is far brighter with the sunlight that Welton Street brings in. Perhaps if it was later in the night and the band was playing or we returned from a Colorado Rockies game, I would order one.
The steak and frites was pretty good. This was large chunks of beef flank steak over garlic parmesan french fries and topped with chopped parsley.
From our dining adventure here, there is another word to describe the business. That is "historic." In similar style to many of the buildings along the 16th Street Mall, this one seems to proceed black and white TV. The business itself in this historic building dates back to April 2001. This is when Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper opened up this establishment. His ownership lasted a couple of years. In July 2005, it started the transition to employee ownership when two employees slash Oakhurst Band Members took it over. Later on they would sell interest to numerous employees making Appaloosa Grill an employee owned business.
Throughout the years, the Appaloosa Grill would also be known as "The Horse." Speaking of horses, they have a jackassery policy. And to tell you the truth, kind of a sketchy room. At the end of the meal, our friendly and hard working Waitress who deserved a great tip informed us that there is a mandatory 20% service charge and to feel free to tip her. What?! A hard working Waitress deserves the same reward as a rude lazy Waitress (for the record, I did not witness that here)? And a hard working patron is supposed to tip on top of tipping? This is a poor policy that should not be brought to the patron's attention after the meal. Unlike the flavorful steak and frites this sketchy policy left a sourful taste. Unfortunately this was our last impression of the Appaloosa Grill.
