Pete's Kitchen: Iconic Family-Owned Diner in Denver, Colorado

Pete's Kitchen on East Colfax in Denver, Colorado — Pete’s Kitchen on East Colfax in Denver, Colorado

Pete’s Kitchen is an iconic, long-standing diner located on Denver’s East Colfax, known for its hearty, classic American and Greek dishes. The diner, which opened in 1988, is part of many restaurants and businesses opened by Pete Contos and his family.

Born in 1941, Greek immigrant Pete Contos emigrated from Greece in 1956. He worked his way up from dishwasher to restaurant owner. Over the years, he opened many businesses, including Satire Lounge, Pete’s Gyros Place, and Pete’s University Park Cafe.

Today, the diner is an institution in Denver, winning awards for its hearty, affordable food made with locally sourced ingredients. Over the years, the restaurant has attracted locals, tourists, athletes, and politicians, including Denver’s mayors.

Though Pete passed away in 2019, Pete’s Kitchen, along with its iconic pancake-flipping neon chef sign, has survived. And during a time when many of Denver’s classic diners have closed since the start of the pandemic.

On my recent visit to Denver, I was finally able to visit Pete’s Kitchen to try the food out for myself.

Pete’s Kitchen Interior

Interior of Pete's Kitchen, Denver, Colorado — Interior of Pete’s Kitchen

When I walked into Pete’s Kitchen, I felt as if I was transported back in time, back to a diner from the 1950s. Though kitschy, the nostalgia felt just right for the atmosphere.

The main room had old-school vibes with black booths, a small counter, and an open kitchen. Adding to the atmosphere were metal lights and exposed pipes. Adorning the walls were photographs and articles written about the diner.

In the background, light music played, mixed with the sounds of the kitchen, including food sizzling on the grill.

To the left of the entrance was a large side room with several circular tables. While it was empty during my visit, I read there can be long waits on weekends, so the extra space is a welcome addition.

Pete’s Kitchen Menu

The first page of the menu at Pete's Kitchen, Denver, Colorado — The first page of the menu at Pete’s Kitchen

The menu at Pete’s Kitchen featured categories such as Soups & Salads, Sandwiches & Burgers, Entrees, Beverages, Desserts, and Side Orders.

A full page was dedicated to breakfast items, including Combinations, Pete’s Specialties, Three Egg Omelettes, Pancakes, and Pete’s Specials.

As a Greek immigrant, Pete Contos incorporated many Greek-inspired items into his menu. This includes the Gyros Plate, Feta Burger, and the Pita Breakfast Sandwich. He also emphasized using fresh, local ingredients from Colorado when possible.

Whether you want a pork chop, petty melt, fish sandwich, or pancakes, there was something for everyone.

If you can’t decide what to order, the Breakfast Burrito is one of the most popular items on the menu. And don’t worry—you can order breakfast at any time of the day.

As for beverages, you had juice, coffee, tea, milk, hot chocolate, soft drinks, and lemonade. While they did not serve alcohol, their bar next door, Pete’s Satire Lounge, features a full bar, including $3 beers.

Greek Philly

While I have not visited Greece, Greek food is one of my favorite cuisines. So I knew I wanted something Greek.

While there were many great Greek options on the menu, I decided on the Greek Philly made with gyro meat, peppers, onions, mushrooms, and Swiss cheese on a roll.

I couldn’t believe how massive this sandwich was. It was falling off the plate. For the price, I couldn’t complain.

I enjoyed watching the chef slice meat off the vertical rotisserie in the kitchen. For a diner, this was unexpected. While simple, the meat, a combination of lamb and beef, was tender with a rich, salty flavor.

Mixed into the meat were tender, earthy mushrooms, sweet and savory sautéed onions, and green onions. While not traditional, I would have preferred the green bell peppers sliced smaller, but they still added color and a crunchy bite.

Topping the meat and vegetables was a thick layer of gooey, slightly melted Swiss cheese that was mild in flavor and had a salty and nutty taste.

The final component of the sandwich was the roll, which was light and airy, grilled on the outside, and tasted fresh as it came from a local bakery. It held up well without getting soggy.

Fries and Tartar Sauce

Served on the side was a generous amount of fries along with a side of tartar sauce.

While not fresh cut, the fries were crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside with a light seasoning of salt. I enjoyed their textured exterior, which added a crispy bite.

The tartar sauce was basic, with a creamy texture. It mainly was mayo but had a subtle dill and cucumber flavor. And I enjoyed dipping my fries in the sauce.

Hot Sauces

I am a big fan of trying new hot sauces when traveling, so I was excited to see three bottles of hot sauce on my table: green, orange, and red.

The green one was tangy with a jalapeño flavor. The orange one was very spicy with habaneros but had a sweetness from carrots and a vinegary flavor. Lastly, the red one was like Tabasco, tangy with a mild heat.

I drizzled a little hot sauce from each bottle over the Greek Philly and added some to the tartar sauce for an extra kick of heat.

Service

During my visit, the restaurant was quiet. I appreciated how my friendly server always appeared when needed and knew when to give me space to enjoy my meal.

In addition, my food arrived quickly and correctly, and I enjoyed watching the chef in the open kitchen.

Conclusion

With so many classic diners in Denver disappearing, Pete’s Kitchen remains integral to the city’s history. His businesses have operated for decades thanks to Pete Contos and his family.

Can you find better food in Denver? Sure. But what makes Pete’s Kitchen special are its hearty plates inspired by Pete’s Greek roots and its nostalgic diner decor.

The Greek Philly was massive, with tender, freshly sliced gyro meat and crispy fries. I want to return to try some of the other well-loved, time-tested menu items.

So, if you’re looking for a quick and affordable meal, some days at any hour, I recommend stopping by and trying some of the dishes at Pete’s Kitchen.