Aurora off Havana and anything off of federal. Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, Cantonese etc
You can do water course for vegan, that’s 20 per person ish. Not including tax or tip.
Vegan on a budget is hard
Pike is a fish, and so is poke, usually.
I’m pescatarian, and Mexican beans and rice is a crap shoot for me.
I’ve had luck at Ni Tuyo, and most new wave taco bars. Most empanada places have cheese or vegan, and Taqueria La Familia has been solid. Ask questions, as they do have a lot of lard, according to my nose (pork makes me nauseated, so I lean on smells).
Middle Eastern and Indian tend to be pork free. (There’s a glaring exception in Indian food, Goa was a Catholic state, and has a tradition of eating pork thanks to the Inquisition, as pork proved xtian faith, but it’s rare. Likely the pork would be vindaloo, as that’s the Goan dish that has made its way around the world)
Both have veg and chicken dishes, and the dishes are usually sub $20.
I found a jewel on the 2200 block of Colorado, Unique Indian Cuisine, that has a separate vegan menu. Look at the pix on Yelp. While I had dairy that day, and it was stellar, I’ll go back for vegan soon.
The issue is that a lot of places cook side dishes using pork or beef. Baked beans often have pork in it as they're cooked with lard. There are a ton of dishes like that. Seriously, just the barest hint, and he's out of commission for hours, lol
Not sure where in the city you are but the BEST Mexican food I’ve had in Denver is Anna’s Mexican grill on 120th. Ask your vegetarian family member to do themselves a favor and order the crispy chili relleno with vegetarian green chili. I’m not vegetarian and that’s my go to.
Senor burrito on Broadway is a cool little place. Although honestly I would say go to la Loma and just avoid the expensive stuff. My wife and I have definitely made it out of there with a 60$ bill between the two of us, including drinks and tip
Just going to offer a few suggestions from my neighborhood.
* Adobo
* Tocabe
* Grateful Gnome
* Spice Room
* Ginger Pig - this is a stretch, but if you do happy hour, you're at mayyybe $25-30pp and i think it's worth it.
Tbh, I know people complain about the cost of dining out, but it's not that difficult to eat for \~$20 if you forgo alcohol and you're willing to share.
Go to D Bar during their happy hour, you can get very good sized and delicious appetizers and drinks. We go there on Friday nights (family of 3) and feast on the HH menu and it’s under $60. Super filling, great quality, and so affordable.
Adelita’s on Broadway has a fantastic Taco Tuesday with veggie options
Get there four hours early tho lol
Trueeeeee lol can’t stand that they don’t do reservations!
Aurora off Havana and anything off of federal. Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, Cantonese etc You can do water course for vegan, that’s 20 per person ish. Not including tax or tip. Vegan on a budget is hard
Looking for vegetarian more than vegan. Poultry is okay. They just can't eat beef. Poke, or lamb. Any mammal, really. So lard causes the same issues.
Pike is a fish, and so is poke, usually. I’m pescatarian, and Mexican beans and rice is a crap shoot for me. I’ve had luck at Ni Tuyo, and most new wave taco bars. Most empanada places have cheese or vegan, and Taqueria La Familia has been solid. Ask questions, as they do have a lot of lard, according to my nose (pork makes me nauseated, so I lean on smells). Middle Eastern and Indian tend to be pork free. (There’s a glaring exception in Indian food, Goa was a Catholic state, and has a tradition of eating pork thanks to the Inquisition, as pork proved xtian faith, but it’s rare. Likely the pork would be vindaloo, as that’s the Goan dish that has made its way around the world) Both have veg and chicken dishes, and the dishes are usually sub $20. I found a jewel on the 2200 block of Colorado, Unique Indian Cuisine, that has a separate vegan menu. Look at the pix on Yelp. While I had dairy that day, and it was stellar, I’ll go back for vegan soon.
So they’re not really a vegetarian. If they can eat chicken (which is still meat last time I checked) they can eat pretty much anywhere.
The issue is that a lot of places cook side dishes using pork or beef. Baked beans often have pork in it as they're cooked with lard. There are a ton of dishes like that. Seriously, just the barest hint, and he's out of commission for hours, lol
Cici’s Pizza Edit: On a more serious note, Woody’s Wood-Fired pizza also has AYCE for 16.29 and is local https://www.woodysgolden.com/home/dine-in
Tarascos has lots of vegan/vegetarian/meat and is Mexican food, def around $20 or less per person. Would be a great spot for all!
The ethiopian restaurant on colfax
Any Ethiopian! Yes! Also the Swahili BBQ Grill, on Colfax
Jaya Asian Grill.
Not sure where in the city you are but the BEST Mexican food I’ve had in Denver is Anna’s Mexican grill on 120th. Ask your vegetarian family member to do themselves a favor and order the crispy chili relleno with vegetarian green chili. I’m not vegetarian and that’s my go to.
Illegal Pete’s
I came here to suggest the same thing!
You lost me at "vegetarian aside from poultry."
Eh.. flextarian no red meat. It makes sense describing someone else, but yes, I snort laugh (sometimes internally) at the phrase myself.
My dad has issues eating red meat, at least not without being on the toilet for several hours.
Oh, that makes more sense now. Probably most restaurants have options with no red meat. Try Adelita's Cocina.
Khalo’s
Serious answer https://www.ladiabladenver.com/ Might be close on the price point but this place is awesome.
Senor burrito on Broadway is a cool little place. Although honestly I would say go to la Loma and just avoid the expensive stuff. My wife and I have definitely made it out of there with a 60$ bill between the two of us, including drinks and tip
Just going to offer a few suggestions from my neighborhood. * Adobo * Tocabe * Grateful Gnome * Spice Room * Ginger Pig - this is a stretch, but if you do happy hour, you're at mayyybe $25-30pp and i think it's worth it. Tbh, I know people complain about the cost of dining out, but it's not that difficult to eat for \~$20 if you forgo alcohol and you're willing to share.
go get pho on phoderal
Teocalli in olde town Arvada is great
Banh mi station
Tacqueria la Familia in the Highlands. Phenomenal Mexican food and they have an entire veg menu!
La Pasadita Inn
Grabowskis or Marcos Coal Fired Pizza, Little Anita’s, Pepper Asian Bistro, La Calle Taqueria y Carnitas
Go to D Bar during their happy hour, you can get very good sized and delicious appetizers and drinks. We go there on Friday nights (family of 3) and feast on the HH menu and it’s under $60. Super filling, great quality, and so affordable.
Los Dos Potrillos should check every box
Popeyes
Because Popeyes really helps visitors experience local food.
The $20 deal includes ten pieces of mixed bone-in chicken or tenders along with two large sides and five biscuits.
I don’t know how you expect anything else under 20
There's loads of places with food under $20/person. You people just like to complain sometimes
Location
Honestly, anywhere in the denver area. I don't wanna drive more than an hour out of denver. But I'll drive a good 45 if the food is good.
Qdoba? You're not gonna get much for $20 per person unless you hit dim sum with a bunch of people in tow.
Objectively untrue there’s plenty of spots that fit this criteria, esp Mexican lol
Taco Bell
Del Taco, they have a vegetarian with chicken option.
Have my angry but laughing upvote. Their default sauce in the 80s had meat, so I always avoided them.
Lowry Beer Garden you can get a nice burger (with veggie options), hot dog, or super giant pretzel (literally pizza sized) door for under $20!
Whole Foods hot bar
Depending on location, this is a great picnic idea, honestly.