8 Must-Try Restaurants in Aurora, According to Denver’s Soul Food Scholar

Aurora’s amazing food scene is constantly excited by people on the go.

“The Gateway to the Rockies”, as the neighboring city of Denver is called, became a landing spot for African-Americans who had come from the American South because of “The Great Migration” and asylum seekers, immigrants, and immigrants. continues to be called home. Refugees from more than 47 countries. Many have started businesses that give diners a chance to experience the taste of their native land. Here are eight sit-down, independent restaurants whose menus have been shaped by stay. They are well worth the trip from Denver!

related: 4 New Denver Brunches (And One In Aurora) Just In Time For Mother’s Day

Cora Fay’s Soul Food Cafe

Priscilla Smith cultivated a following for her meaty Southern cooking while running a restaurant in Park Hill. Smith moved to Aurora several years ago, and his current location is near the bustling intersection of Colfax and Chambers. Stop by to taste the crunchy fried chicken, smoked pork chops and other dishes that have been in the Smith’s Alabama-based family for more than a century. For a dreamy end to your meal, order a slice of Coconut Cream Cheese Frosted Cake and two pillows for your inevitable post-meal nap.

15395 E. Colfax Ave., 303-333-5551. Open Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 11am-7:30pm Tuesday-Thursday; 11am-8:30pm Friday-Saturday. corafayescafe.com

Cuba Bakery & Cafe

People of Cuban heritage who live in the Denver area support this place heavily. Here, you will find a delightful mix of savory and sweet foods. Everything is served cafeteria-style, so diners can feast their eyes before making a selection. We love the chicharrones served here as a long strip of pork skin, meat and fat fried to crispy perfection. There is also the traditional ropa vija (translated as “old clothes”), which is shredded beef in a spicy tomato sauce. Whatever you choose for your entrée, a perfect finish is a pastry filled with guava. A word to the wise: If you want any chance of getting a Saturday Oxtail special, you have to show up before noon.

15028 AD. Mississippi Ave., 303-752-2822. Open Sundays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Monday-Thursday from 8 am to 7 pm. cubabakeryandcafe.com

Madras Cafe

In the metro Denver area, Indian restaurants typically offer the northern cuisine of the country. Madras Cafe happily highlights vegetarian dishes made in Southern India. Start your meal with bajji, a popular, deep-fried street snack with chutney dipping chutney. The plantain version is the most traditional and is reminiscent of an orange fritters. We recommend zooming in on the section of the menu dedicated to “Southern Special Curries.” The lightly fried and well-seasoned bhindi fry is earthy and soul-satisfying. For dessert, you will love halwa made with finely grated carrots, condensed milk and ghee.

5422 S. Parker Road, 720-541-7293. Open on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., then 5:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., then 5:30-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. themadrascafe.com

Plates By The Pound BBQ

The only thing that has been on the rolls more than barbecue chef Aaron Goneraway is his generous serving of “OG Pulled Pork” that he serves to people standing in line around the block on Saturday mornings. True to its Texas family roots, Goner’s makes excellent beef brisket, and that’s the only step to take when ordering. Another standout is the baked potato that is actually “loaded” with barbecued meat. We also loved the potato salad, smoky baked beans and banana pudding. Mercy!

11601 AD Montview Blvd., 720-697-0082. Open Saturday, sold out by 11am. platesbythepoundbbq.com

Silla Korean Restaurant BBQ

Silla proudly claims to be “the oldest Korean restaurant in Colorado,” and its owners should be proud. Standard Korean dishes are top notch and possibly habit-forming. We suggest starting with the hubcap-shaped kimchi gin pancakes and the fried, pork-filled dishes called guna mandu dumplings. If you order bulgogi—marinated, slightly sweet, and thinly sliced ​​strips of meat—you’ll have the option of cooking it yourself at the table, or taking care of it in the kitchen. We left it to the experts and ate a sizzling, cast-iron plate of beef bulgogi with a range of fresh and spicy vegetable side dishes. For a change of pace, our bibimbap bowl was grilled calamari with a fried vegetable medley and a fried sunnyside-up egg over rice.

3005 S. Peoria St., 303-338-5070. Open 11:30am-8pm, Sunday-Tuesday, Friday-Saturday. sillabbq.com

Chinese Caribbean Fast Food

The first time you arrive at this location, you’ll probably curse any map app you’ve ever used. Yes, you are in a residential area and there is no indication that eating places are nearby. not to worry. Just follow the captivating aroma and pulsating music to the rear of the house. This weekend-only, take-out Jamaican “restaurant” has actually moved out of Owner Sugar’s (that’s the name the owner goes by) converted back porch. His cooking adventures began long ago as a child when he watched his relatives cook. As an adult, the Chinese “boats the boat” (meaning cooks) with friends. After months of review, he thought he should make some money by cooking. I am grateful for that revelation. I don’t know why, but Jamaican cooks have a way with oxtail, and the Chinese version doesn’t disappoint. Six pieces of meat bathed in a rich brown gravy are placed in a substantial portion of peas and rice. You’ll find slightly spicy jerk chicken, red snapper fried in a spicy sauce, and flaky and meat-filled (beef or chicken) hand pies called “patties.” These all pair well with a house-made non-alcoholic hibiscus drink called “Sorrel” or a cold bottle of Red Stripe beer.

1140 Lansing St., 720-231-6460. Open Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Urban Burma

The restaurant is one of the main attractions of Mango House, a complex that includes immigrant-related businesses, a food court, and services. We were completely mesmerized by the fermented and lightly dressed tea leaf salad with a crunchy mix of cabbage, lentils and fried peanuts. We forgot about social pride while slapping “They da nah,” A spicy pork curry punctuated with potatoes. Its Ginger Mint Spritzer was refreshing and delicious. Banana-filled fried dough banana paratha with Nutella drizzle is an absolute must for dessert.

10180 E. Colfax Ave., 626-628-5430. Open from 7 pm, Thursday-Saturday. orderurbanburma.com

Yemen Grill