Atmosphere is nice. Small restaurant so it feels intimate. Quality of food and beverages. Knowledge and personality of staff.

Is it wrong to want to leave only a 4 star review because a restaurant is such a gem, a hidden treasure, our special secret, that we don't want to share it with anyone else? It is. This restaurant is amazing. It is a shining star in the suburbs of Aurora, a well-kept secret, but the people that make this restaurant spectacular deserve for everyone to hear: if you haven't been here, you're missing out. You should leave your downtown loft and drive all the way out to Iliff and S Parker rd to find out what those of us who are fortunate enough to live nearby know: this place is a gem. Bettola Bistro, Cody's Cafe, you are our hero. read more

Where do I begin? The service is prompt and friendly. The server we had most recently was super helpful in making reccomendations. We started with a few different appetizers including the spinach and cheese won tons and steak tacos. The last time we went we had the goat cheese crustinis and bruschetta *oh so good!* For entrees we had an order of fish and chips, fish tacos and chicken parmesian. None of us left disappointed. The time before that we had the chicken alfredo, house burger and lemon grass sausage with penne. Every time we've been here the food is amazing. It's such a hidden gem ticked away in a Plaza in Aurora but if you're ever in the area I highly recommend checking this place out, you won't be disappointed. read more

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In the same stripmall as Aladdin Market (see previous review) is a similarly new and nifty find, Cody's Café. The ever-cheerful proprietress of the former Viaggio (she also owns the equally yummy New Orient a few doors down) has fused Italian, American and her native Vietnamese delights in her latest restaurant offering. Sip one of their many craft beers while you peruse the many tempting items on their one-page paper menu. To start, why not sample some fried-just-right coconut shrimp, served with a citrus aioli in a jaunty cocktail glass? Or some spinach and cheese wontons with raspberry-wasabi dressing? Or crostini with creamy goat cheese? If, instead, something hand-held would hit the spot right about now, Cody's take on the classic Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwich (with moist grilled chicken and tangy daikon and carrot slaw) might be just the thing for you. Then again, doesn't their signature burger (with arugula, gorgonzola, Swiss cheese and a bacon-onion compote) sound good? In keeping with Viaggio's (previous) emphasis on Italian food, you can still find rich and savory eggplant parmigiana - or what about a pizza? If I told you that the marvelous homemade sausage has just a hint of lemongrass, would that entice you? I figured it would. But honestly, no matter what you end up selecting (and the dishes I described are just the tip of the iceberg!), Cody's has something for every palate. Take all of this, and combine it with personably prompt and perky staff, and a welcoming atmosphere that puts "Cheers" to shame, and you have a real gem. Yes, there's always a lot of fun to be had at Cody's, so why not find out for yourself? Who knows - if you're lucky, you might even see me there! read more

We were looking for a happy hour near Parker Road and Iliff. After noticing the positive reviews from Yelpers such as Cheryl L. and Mark T., we decided to try out Cody's Cafe & Bar. This relatively small place is tucked into a strip mall on the north side of Illiff, between Havana and Parker Road. It may not look like much from the outside, but be sure not to judge this book by its cover. When you walk through the door, you see nice tables and chairs, a large bar in the corner, and some very cool paintings all over the walls. There were not that many people in the place on a late Wednesday afternoon. The bartender was very helpful and friendly. The happy hours deals were rather good. There were some great selections of $3 beers, wines, and well drinks. They also had several appetizers (like tacos and bruschetta) on the happy hour list. The appetizers we ordered were cooked and brought to us very quickly. We tried the Spinach Cheese Wontons (stuffed fried wontons served with raspberry wasabi swirl and seasonal fruit chutney). These were very flavorful and nicely crunchy. I could have used a touch more wasabi to bring some heat. The Bruschetta (tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic oil, parmesan cheese on homemade Italian bread slices) was similarly excellent. I like mine a little toastier, typcially. The tacos (Steak Taco--thinly sliced rib eye meat with mango pico de gallo, slaw, and guacamole on a corn tortilla) and (Chicken Taco--marinated chicken breast with mango pico de gallo, slaw, and guacamole on a corn tortilla) were very good. Both of these were tasty. They were not quite as good as the tacos from Phat Thai, but they were better than the tacos you get outside of a real taqueria (which abound in Denver). I had a couple beers, which were nice and cold, and also had a top-shelf Irish Whiskey, which while not cheap, was less expensive than I expected. A couple sitting at the table next to us were regulars at Cody's, and they sang the praises of the pasta dishes, including Cody's Spaghetti (made with homemade pork sausage and homemade all-beef meatballs) and the Lemongrass Sausage Penne (homemade lemongrass pork sausage, mushrooms, organic arugula, red pepper, and ginger soy). I will definitely be trying one or the other (possibly both) of these on my next visit. read more

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Had an absolutely amazing time at Cody's. Wildride app took us to another location in this strip mall that was closed so we ended up going next door to Cody's. We were totally surprised---all expectations surpassed. Food was amazing, service was better than amazing, atmosphere was clean and updated. I'm not sure if our waiter was Cody himself, but if not, he sure acted like he owned the place---very proud of the food (as he should be) and took great care of us. Give this place a try, don't pass it by. Can't wait to go back read more

We've decided to make this our weekly spot after more than a few really good experiences. From the delightfully constructed Italian/Asian fusion dishes to the great local beer selection and friendly/attentive waitstaff, Cody's is a true hidden gem tucked away in a very unassuming strip mall. Our Favorites: Goat cheese and caramelized onion bruschetta, homemade chips and guac (seasonal), Cody Burger, Pasta dishes (sans artichokes due to use of inedible spiny parts), pizzas (home made crust!). Other notables: The fish and chips were surprisingly well done with a very light batter surrounding quality fish filets served with thick cut potatoes to soak up the extra malt vinegar if that's your thing. The beer flight was also well constructed giving micro-brew noobs a great introduction to some of Colorado's best brews. Desserts are amazing! Leave room for the homemade ice cream. Keep an eye out for Foursquare deals! We scored a free appetizer on our first visit and a free entree after visit #3. Could use some work: As previously noted, on one occasion I had the Artichoke pasta dish and while I appreciate the use of fresh artichokes as opposed to canned, the chef left too many of the spiny pieces from the outer layers in the mix. I had to pull these pieces out and set aside. Don't be shy about asking for a basket of their homemade bread. We haven't been served it consistently but if you ask for it, it's worth it. Beautifully toasted and served with quality olive oil and balsamic for dipping. read more

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This place is a great little hole in the wall. Be sure to call ahead to make a reservation, they are always booked up due to staff shortages from that pandemic. They are currently rebuilding their staff. Their food is fantastic and they do a different menu each week based on what's in season. Good prices for the quality of food. Definitely makes a great place to have a nice date night or a family dinner. read more

Like other reviews mention, Cody's doesn't look like much from the outside, but they have a lot to offer! They, not only, serves your classic Italian dishes (pizza and pasta), but also serve wontons, fish tacos, burgers, and other pub-ish foods; they are not your typical pasta/pizza Olive Garden. I had the Bombay Fish Tacos ($9.95) and they were probably one of the most delicious little things I have had in quite some time! There was a lot of flavor from the house sauce and a perfect balance between sweet/spice/salty from the mango salsa to the fish to the tiny bit of homemade guac and the fresh cabbage! I had the fish pan roasted (instead of fried) and there was still a bit of excess oil in the tacos. Nothing a little napkin can't soak up, though. The tacos were itty bitty and came with five dinky chips (so generous! -- sarcasm, are you picking it up?), but enough to make leave me satiated. I had some delicious (free) bread, so I left the restaurant pretty stuffed. I'd say the portions were just right for little 'ol me! My partner had the Artichoke Penne ($12.95) and enjoyed it. I tried a bite and the sauce was very dense and full of stuff (veggies, I think), but it was on the sweeter side. There weren't as many artichokes as we had hoped -- we had to search for them -- but they were there! The penne was cooked to perfection and there was a good pasta to sauce ratio -- saucy! My sister had the Grilled Chicken Fettuccine ($11.95), but found the sauce to be on the soupier side. The portions weren't as big as Olive Garden (I don't know why I keep comparing everything to Olive Garden), but they were more than what one should be consuming at one meal. Anyway, good portions. The service was extremely slow the night I was here. The guy waiting our table was attentive, but not... That makes no sense. He was slow to take our orders, and we had to wave him down a few times. Another lady started helping out later on and was quite prompt, but only helped out the last 5-10 minutes, so I wasn't too impressed by the service. And, to me, the service of a restaurant will always affect how the food tastes. Slow service + hanger = not optimal experience. But I'm just being picky. This is a nice little spot, if you're in the mood for slow-cookin' Italian with a twist. read more

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This unassuming little restaurant packs a punch when it comes to flavor and unique dishes. A mixture of Vietnamese and Italian the menu boasts pastas with an Asian twist. The wine selection here is one of the best in the community and has weekly wine tastings and lessons with the som Schaffer. If you are in the area or want to go to a cute little neighborhood spot with a slightly upscale vibe, this is your pick. read more

A very fresh change from the typical fare in the area! Everything it's delicious! We've been five or six times now & aside from the Godiva Martini ( which my wife gets EVERY TIME! And ask that Nick make it) We've really had a good sampling of the menu. From the fish & chips too the egg plant parm, it's all delicious. Not to mention a nice variety of pizza too. The best thing is the specials! From sockeye salmon to vodka penne, they do not disappoint & and always changing! Our favorite is to stop in for tapas & a drink. The martini ( mentioned above) is Almost a desert in itself. But.........I can personally attest to the brushetta, crostini, wontons, potstickers & crab cake wrapped in sugar cane ( yes you read that correctly) are all delicious and are paired with a nice wine or something else from the full bar (the Makers 46 is a personal favorite). I almost don't want to share this as it's a small place & I want to keep it all too myself! ......if you have a group, call ahead as it's a city place. Oh, did I mention dessert.......they're are some fancy items, but the bread pudding is to did for. Staff is super friendly. Nick is the best! read more

Cody's Cafe and Bar - Makers 46 - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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I was very impressed with Cody's. The service was phenomenal, and the dishes were unique and bursting with so many complementary flavors. I'm glad I've discovered this great small spot and will definitely be coming back. read more

Cody's Cafe and Bar - Bombay Fish Tacos - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

We had an absolutely amazing experience here. I highly recommend this restaurant for the outstanding food and drink. Plus the owner was behind the bar and he was just down right fun and super knowledgeable about all food and wine related things (plus more I am sure of it!) Trust me - make time to check out this amazing place. Can't wait till Bettola Bistro is open again! Just four doors down from Cody's and it's the same owners who just know how to do it right. read more

This is a nice hole-in-the-wall type of place. The outside decorations/sign does not do justice for the quality of food and atmosphere that this little cafe/bar has to offer. The good: the atmosphere is very "low key." As you walk in, you see a very modern and elegant, small restaurant (cafe). I was actually quite shocked from the difference between the outside and inside, but never judge a book by its cover! They very friendly staff, and we were greeted with a smile and seated immediately. We got there right before the dinner rush. I brought my almost 2yo son and they were very accommodating to him, although I did feel the elegant like atmosphere demeaned the kid friendliness, but nonetheless, the waiter and host had a smile on their face every time they checked on us and didn't mind picking up things my son had dropped on the floor. The food is amazing! I had an order of the seafood linguine and my mouth was in euphoric shock! The portions of seafood were very generous and the linguine was cooked to perfection (not to hard, not to mushy), and the sauce had a very sweet, yet little kick to it. Even the kids cheeseburger was amazing! I took a bite of his hamburger, and thought that this has to be one of the best burgers I've had in a while! There's a salty seasoning that is charred on and it compliments the burger very well! My son almost ate the whole thing! The bad: My seafood linguine had a strand of hair in it, however once I brought it to the attention of the waiter they took the dish and cooked up a fresh new plate for me, no questioned asked, and threw in a free desert! The hair didn't ruin my appetite, but I was a rod bit nervous to eat the second dish, but once I took the first bite, it was heaven all over again! I still give this place 5 stars. read more

Cody's Cafe and Bar - Seafood linguine extra seafood - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

For date night, this is our go-to choice. We can bike there from our house which is a HUGE plus. Unfortunately the last two trips left me a little disappointed. In short, here's my personal assessment: Food - 4.5 Wine - 4 Beer selection - 3.5 Mixed drinks - 3 Service - 3.5 Friendliness - 5+ Location/ability to get a seat - 5 The food is very good and the owner/chef Sue is incredibly friendly and comes out the tables and talks to guests. They have a great happy hour and drink specials throughout the week. I think the biggest place that this restaurant is lacking is in its drink presentation. On our last visit we tried to order several different drinks and were told they were out of everything ranging from nearly every kind of juice to several tequilas and whiskeys. I can understand if you're out of some of your alcohol selections but seriously? If you're out of juice just run to the store! All that aside, some of my favorite dishes are the lemongrass sausage that's made in house, any of their pastas, the tacos, the spinach wontons, the goat cheese crostini. Right now they also have a special edamame soup with a mango mouse that is exceptional. All in all, even with its shortfalls this is still one of our favorite places to go near our house. read more

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Cody's has become my go-to place fir a great meal! It's in my neighborhood so I've gotten both takeout or I go sit in. Definitely delicious food and a great environment for a date night or dinner with friends and family, or alone! read more

One of the worse meals we've ever had! Took over an hour to get our dinner. Will not be going back! read more

Would never expect such a nice decor from the outside strip mall facade. Stopped by after a google search for "best Italian lunch" and boy were we ever impressed!!! Prices were very good, $5.95 for a very tasty meatball sub with the Misto salad, and $6.95 for the Fettuccine which had a really rich Alfredo cream sauce accompanied by fresh portobello mushrooms and broccoli with no skimping on the garlic! Looking forward to coming back for a happy hour to try some of the signature cocktails and then dinner...tonight's specials are a 4 cheese vegetable lasagna and an Alaskan Halibut in a mushroom brandy cream sauce...Wow!! read more

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You won;t find any other place such as Cody's. Very unique and creative menu selection show that the chef really cares about the food and put alot of thought into them. Also you will be greeted and served so warmly that you will feel like you've been going to the place for years, when it is actually your first visit. read more

I wish I could have given more stars. I ordered food from the via Grubhub over a year ago and it was delicious. So, after working all day yesterday and then running errands I was trying to find a place to eat. Since it has good ratings and is in our neighborhood I decided to go there. Look, the place is cute, the Lady that is serving and juggling all the drinks is sweet and works hard. Beer and wine all good, I ordered Chicken Parmesan and to me it tasted like it was a pre fabricated patty that was microwaved. The sauce was bland and perhaps out of a jar. A little more seasoning would have been great too. My husband had the Cody Burger and it had a hair in it. No, he did not ask for a new Burger, I would have.. I am not sure if I'll give it another try. read more

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This is a tough review to write as we came here in a group of nine people. We may not have had the same experience as smaller groups but unfortunately I have to write what we experienced. We all ordered at the same time which was a combination of apps and mains. The kitchen got backed up so that there was a fifteen or so minute lag between the first appetizers that came out and the last. The hubs and I ordered the sugar cane crab cakes which another couple did as well. They got theirs first and we waited and waited for ours. When we got them we thought they were ok but not worth the wait and it was a small portion. For my main I ordered the fish tacos with fried versus grilled cod. The fish was really well done but the guacamole was a little brown and the sauce didn't make enough of a presence. The hubs ordered the lemongrass sausage pasta. I found it to be way to salty for my palette but he enjoyed the dish. I also picked some vegetables off his plate and felt the asparagus was too tough like they had used the bottom of the stalk. Our table was pretty unanimous that the food was decent but the plates just took too long and were too staggered on the timing. read more

The location of this place is misleading considering the quality of food and service. It's in a strip mall, surrounded by other restaurants and is dimly lit from the outside; don't let that turn you away, we nearly walked down the street to another, more busy, place. I am glad we didn't! Service is friendly and very personable, and the food is reasonably priced considering the quality. I had a glass of Merlot and my husband had their cider, which he liked because it's not as grossly sweet as some other ciders. I had the shrimp linguine while my husband had the salmon pesto and we both left happy. This isn't a kid friendly place though, which was fine by us! It's not a pretentious place, sports on the TV, beer on tap, etc. it's high quality at a fair price, our bill came to around 55 bucks, much cheaper than some of the other places we were scouting for supper. read more

My family and I love Cody's! The ambiance is great and the food is top notch. They have the best Italian and Vietnamese food but my favorite dishes are the Vietnamese Paella and Honey Sesame Alaskan cod, both dishes have fresh sea food and are full of flavor. For dessert the hazelnut wonton is delicious! read more

Cody's Cafe and Bar - Vietnamese paella - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Oh my...Cody's is where it's at! I can't remember the last restaurant I've been to where every single item on the tapas, entree, and specials menu sounded so absolutely delicious I had to close my eyes and point my finger. I ended up getting the soft shell crab bowl, the ahi tuna and chicken spring rolls, and my partner got the salmon hot pot special. We couldn't stop talking about how wonderful the food was, the few times our mouths weren't full. We can't wait to return to this hidden gem. read more

Excellent food and service. Don't miss out !!! If you love home made and enjoy Italian food this is the place. Quite and intimate

This was my first time hearing about and trying this place, as I no longer live in Denver. This place may put you off a bit outside, but the food is quite good. I came here with a friend and my grandmother, and we all ordered the same thing - the grilled salmon with angel hair pasta. The dish was quite tasty, and came out hot and fresh - the salmon was nice and crispy on the outside, and was served with a bit of pesto on top. The pasta was cooked perfectly, and was tossed with what tasted/looked like olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes, and it was very good. The bread they bring out at the beginning with the side of olive oil and balsamic vinegar was very good as well, a little crispy on the outside, and nice and soft and warm on the inside. Also, after the meal, I decided to get the bread pudding, and the waitress was so sweet and nice that she gave it to me on her! So nice! This place was pretty clean and the service and food were great! Only reason I knocked it down to 4 stars is because the table was a bit dirty when we came in, and the menus and checkbook weren't very clean. Otherwise, this is really like 4.5 stars from me! read more

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An unexpected treasure nestled away in a strip mall. Everything I have tried here has been great. The lunch menu has lots of good options at reasonable prices, and the happy hour is chock full of tasty bites too. The grilled salmon and pesto served over angel hair pasta is one of my favorites. I can't wait to sample more menu options, and will be returning for more happy hours which are EVERY DAY from 4:30-6:30pm. read more

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After a second chance, I'm upping it to four stars. Both entrees were fantastic. My wife had the tuna salad, with the tunes fresh and lightly cooked. I had a delicious penne with artichokes and a red sauce that was delicious. Bruschetta appetizer was a very good, as was the tiramisu dessert. read more

This café doesn't look like much from the outside, but it's very tastefully decorated inside - cozy, warm, inviting, but a little on the dark side. And SMALL - there are maybe 15 tables all together, which made me ask my server how in the world they host poker nights. Her answer: it pretty much takes up the whole restaurant, leaving only the booths along the wall open for dining. The menu has a good selection and the pastas are all very reasonably priced in the low $10 range. Added bonus: Yelp check-in deal for a free dessert with purchase of two entrees! I ordered the crispy eggplant penne - diced, tempura fried eggplant in a homemade vodka sauce. I LOVED that sauce - it was very thick and veggie-based, lots of garlic and peppers! For dessert we decided to splurge and tried the crème brulee and the tiramisu. Both were excellent, but we especially loved the boozy and very large slice of tiramisu; one of the best I've had and a really great deal at under $6. The only reason Cody's doesn't get 5 stars is the service, which wasn't bad, but considering that we were one of two tables being served that night, I would expect our server to be a little more attentive about keeping our drinks filled and bringing the check out quickly. read more

Absolutely love this place. It's been a spot that we'll drive all the way across town to go to from time to time. The vibe is low key but the food is always (and I do mean always) delicious. I would certainly recommend this spot to anyone who happens to be in the area, especially the kitchen sink pizza. Makes my mouth water even thinking of it now. read more

I have earnestly never had a better dining experience in my life, Schaffer's management has created a superior environment through his exceptional attention to detail, suburb sense for pairing food & drink, exquisite selection of staff, & invaluable, friendly insight which all creates a superior atmosphere. Provided a few hours notice, Cody's was able to navigate my food allergies (soy, gluten) & served course after course that blew my expectations & hopes out of the water. Food is hand-crafted, lovingly cooked, & fresh. Ingredients are grown in their own garden and shipped in daily! Understand that good food takes time, dishes are not prepped and sitting around for hours waiting for you to order them. They are made with care once you order them, which is fantastic. Wines are exclusive in many instances, & the staff are happy to walk you through the various ways to enjoy these. Cody's provides an accessible fine dining experience to everyone who walks through the door! I have also attended 2 wine classes, which I also can not suggest more highly. I wish to emphasize that Schaffer has brought an intimidating subject matter into the realm of the layman with surprising grace & accessibility. His passion for food, drink, & service is evident in everything he does at Cody's. I suggest this restaurant to everyone visiting Colorado as they come through for good reason. I wish I could attach more photos to this review, but everything was so delicious I found myself lost in enjoying every bite with company. read more

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Oh my goodness! This restaurant was amazing! We live in Aurora and are tired and continuously disappointed with the chain restaurants nearby. After searching on Yelp, we stumbled upon Cody's. The service, food, wine, and atmosphere were top notch! Plan to stay awhile as everything is cooked fresh. Can't wait to go back! read more

My first visit to this restaurant will definitely not be my last. My favorite items were the spinach cheese wontons and the chocolate cake. Overall, the restaurant was clean, the staff was friendly, and the food was delicious. Compliments to the chef. read more

Cody's Cafe and Bar - Chocolate cake - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Casual Comfortable Reasonable prices Everything was great, the service, the food, the location. A true little gem in Aurora! read more

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We went out for dinner and the staff ensured that we dined. The food was prepared expertly by a craftsmen - person ??? The Old fashioned was expertly crafted the bartender took the orange rind and twisted to release the oils then rubbed the rim of the glass. The server when presenting the plated food had one hand behind their back and bowed slightly. A small detail that showed respect and pride in their craft. They are in the hospitality industry and were hospitable. Our dining experience was pleasurable and done right. When people enjoy what they do it shows. I will return. read more

I love this restaurant. Freshest fish and vegetables. I go here probably twice a week. The waitstaff is so knowledgeable about the menu and wine pairings. A really gem of a restaurant in Aurora read more

I have been going here for 30 years when it was first called New Orient! This is my all time favorite restaurant and I have never had a bad meal here. From delicious Italian to wonderful asian fusion Sue always has the best seafood. Tonight I had wild caught salmon a with a wonderful lemongrass cake and of course always the shrimp avacado rolls. The staff are perfection and always attentive with a wonderful wine list. We sat outside tonight and it was wonderful! I highly recommend trying this restaurant and I am sure you will become one of their regulars! read more

This delightful restaurant is a fusion of the previous Cody's and Is in the location of the previous New Orient. Since I discovered it 1/2020 it has become my go-to place. The food ranges from excellent to exquisite, the atmosphere is casual, and it's become our Cheers, where the staff knows our names and at every visit we recognize loyal customers. The chef and owner Sue comes from the kitchen masked and 6 feet away to greet her guests (not customers to her) and get feedback. She'll even put something on the menu by request, like her wonderful berry cobblers. read more

We had dinner at Cody's the Saturday evening before Father's Day, and we were pleasantly surprised and even wowed. Outstanding and professional service as several staff members engaged us and made sure we were comfortable and satisfied with our dining experience. We had two appetizers - Spinach Cheese Wontons and Goat Cheese Crostini - both were homemade and excellent. We each had pizza - Cody's Signature & Margherita, and they too were really outstanding. The Happy Hour drinks are very reasonably priced, and Cody's offers a great draft beer selection. The dining room is simple and tasteful, and the ambience is relaxed and calmly attentive. We were really impressed with the sincere and professional effort of the team at Cody's. We are looking forward to our next visit. read more

Stopped by one of my favorite neighborhood spots today and was pleased to see a new sandwich. This is what they call the Banh Mi which is a Vietnamese style sandwich. The lemongrass beef marinade was awesome and the proportion of bread was not overwhelming. The Cody's aioli really made the sandwich and seems to be a house made sauce that you can only get here. Had a sweet yet mustard taste but was very light. A sandwich is something I've never had here before but definitely matched the same great taste as the other menu items I've had. A quick and pleasant surprise. Another reason why Cody's is a go to weekly destination for lunch. read more

Cody's Cafe and Bar - Banh Mi Sandwhich - Italian Near Me - Denver, Colorado