Many travelers see Denver as a must-visit destination in Colorado – and a big part of its appeal is the food scene. From a steakhouse that showcases Denver’s Old West legacy to contemporary Mexican food with Michelin recognition, the city offers something for nearly every palate. That includes diners who like to make their restaurant visits a “go big or go home” affair by taking on food challenges. We found five Denver restaurants with supersized specialties of all kinds where you can attempt to show off your digestive fortitude.
Each challenge dish isn’t just massive for the time you have to consume it — it’s also surprisingly good, at least at the start. Even if you’re not planning to take one on yourself, all of these restaurants serve more moderately sized dishes that are well worth ordering. You never know, you might even spot someone mid-challenge while you’re there — or find yourself inspired to attempt it on a future visit.
A few things to keep in mind: For many of these challenges, you can’t simply walk in and participate. You may need to give the restaurant a couple of days’ notice so the kitchen can prepare, and you can expect to sign a waiver as these are very much try-at-your-own-risk dishes. Finish successfully, and you’ll typically earn bragging rights, a free meal, and sometimes merch to prove it.
Try to take down multiple pounds of meat and noodles at Pho95
Pho95 bills itself as the “best Vietnamese food in Colorado,” and reviewers seem largely convinced, with a Yelp rating hovering around 4.3 stars. The star of the show here is its traditional Vietnamese pho, which is also the centerpiece of the Pho-King Challenge. Instead of a standard bowl, it features two pounds of noodles and two pounds of meat in more than 1.5 gallons of broth, plus a plate of vegetables. The clock starts at one hour. Fail to finish, and you’ll pay $40 – along with receiving a pink T-shirt that says, “I am a Pho-King loser.” If you win, your meal is free, your photo goes up on the wall, and you walk away with a shirt declaring you a “Pho King champion.”…