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    Illegal Burger - Writer Square

    3.9 (324 reviews)
    ModerateBurgers, Bars, Sandwiches
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Illegal Burger - Writer Square Takeout or Delivery

    Illegal Burger - Writer Square Photos

    ILLEGAL BURGER - WRITER SQUARE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Happy hour specials

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    Front of Restaurant & Patio
    Lee W.

    If you're looking for a great burger this is the place to go! Tucked away amongst the tall buildings in downtown Denver you'll find Illegal Burger in Writer Square on Larimer Street. (There is another location in Evergreen, CO.) You order at the counter & your food is brought out to your table. The restaurant had an industrial vibe with upbeat music playing. There were lots of interesting photos of Alcatraz Island Penitentiary on the walls as well. Counter service was great & our food was brought out quickly. Note, there was also a large patio out front with tables & umbrellas. What makes these burgers stand out is that they are made with fresh beef - no antibiotics or hormones. Never frozen. They also use locally made fresh buns & their sauces are all homemade. In addition, they serve alcoholic drinks. We had the #7 Mushroom & Swiss Burger. This was delicious... nice & juicy with sautéed mushrooms & onions & Illegal sauce. We also had the #5 Slinger Burger, this was yummy too, it came with bacon, cheddar cheese & BBQ sauce. I loved the fried onion strings on top. Fries are extra & we had the Slammer Fries with Chipotle Mayo & the Illegal Fries with Illegal sauce, both good choices. As they say, "Burgers this good gotta be Illegal"!

    Slinger Sweet Potato Fries
    Miquel N.

    This was 10/10 We got the illegal cream cheese, the boss, 2 slingers, truffle fries, sweet potato fries and the waffle fries! Everyone said it was probably the best burger they've ever had. Service was great. The inside is clean and tidy. We want to come back and try more. Thank you!

    THE UNDERBOSS
    Alston F.

    It was very imaginative to have cheese quesadillas as the bun to a burger. I was visiting Denver and had to try the green chili sauce that they put on sandwiches. I will note I got this sandwich at 8pm on a Friday. It was quite busy with only one guy out front working the cashier and the bar. I will say the idea was nice but poorly executed. The quesadillas were bland, no seasoning just cheese and tortillas, the burger was dry and the only flavor was jalapeño aioli that definitely carried the sandwiches into my belly. I was hungry so I ate the whole thing but under normal circumstances I would have decided on something else. I did get sweet potato fries that I ate in the car on the way home. They were good but a small amount for the price. The green chili sauce was nice but not anything special. This is definitely a pregame spot or in the pinch spot but nothing gourmet.

    Onion rings, green chili fries and KINGPIN BIRRIA.
    Larry U.

    Excellent food, friendly staff, and top-notch service. Joshua was incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely helpful--this place is more than just a meal, it's an experience. The décor is cool, the music sets the vibe perfectly, and there's always something interesting on the TVs. Everything comes together to make it a spot we'll definitely be coming back to.

    Truffle Fries
    Phoebe J.

    From the moment we walked in, the staff were super friendly and genuinely attentive, it made the whole visit feel warm and welcoming. Our food came out fast, and everything was just as we'd hoped. I started with a margarita, which was not only delicious but also a great size (no tiny cocktail glasses here!). The burger menu was a dream for anyone who loves to customise, there was a long list of add-ons to make it your own. I added an egg to my chicken club and it was the perfect touch. My boyfriend went with a classic beef burger and said it was juicy and full of flavor. We shared the truffle fries, but honestly... I kind of regret not getting my own portion they were that good. Crispy, rich, and addictive! All in all, a great spot for casual dining with quality food, speedy service, and lovely staff. We'll definitely be back!

    Hotdog Special
    Will M.

    Type of place I'd go to every week. Best prices around for terrific food. Full bar which just adds to the awesomeness. Very casual spot with staff that go above and beyond for their customers.

    Alexanria J.

    Pretty hip atmosphere local burger restaurant with some patio seating. Very delicious interesting menu and carb free option available to have bunless lettuce wrap burger. Very good service and recommend this restaurant for interesting burger. Paid street parking nearby.

    The boss burger

    Everything is insanely good!!!!! If I was capable of eating 3 I would. The boss burger was so good. The pineapple with the jalapeños was chefs kiss. The service was really nice he was helpful with menu suggestions. And the environment was clean and inviting. Definitely going again tomorrow!

    Kayla D.

    This place was amazing!! The food was cooked perfectly! 10/10. Food came out fast. However it was FREEZING in the back of the restaurant so unless you like sitting in a 60 degree ice box stay away from the seating behind the order counter!

    Robert N.

    A bit of a weird setup. When walking in it is not apparent that it is a counter service restaurant, and you walk into the seating area/bar. Layout aside, they have an expensive menu, with a lot of options that are very creative. They also serve beer and alcoholic drinks like boozy milkshakes. The food came out pretty quick as well. The actual food itself was mediocre. I found my burger overcooked and dried out. The hot dog was drowned in sauce and the bun was stale and crunchy. On top of the subpar food it was extremely expensive, especially when considering the amount of food served. TL:DR - Great menu, but sub-par kitchen execution and high cost make illegal burger a pass

    Birria Burger....

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    2 days ago

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    10 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Food was delicious, hot, and fast. Service was friendly and helpful. Restaurant was clean and comfortable. No complaints.

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    3 months ago

    Great burger place on Larimer. Friendly staff and food is always great. Nice patio to eat and relax when visiting downtown.

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    10 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Looking for a great burger and fries for a reasonable price? This place is FIRE. Bonus, they also have Beer!!!

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    3 years ago

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    10 months ago

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    10 months ago

    Fantastic burger! Had the off the record avocado and added mushrooms. So good! Loved their sauces too!

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    Page 1 of 9

    Illegal Burger - Writer Square Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Illegal Burger - Writer Square

    Do they still have happy hour?

    Yes, Mary, we have happy hour Monday - Friday 3-6 pm, Come on in and enjoy some refreshing drinks with some good grub!

    What is the house sauce?

    It has mayo, buttermilk ranch, and cilantro ancho seasoning. I hope this helps!

    View All 3 Questions

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    Ended up here after a recommendation from someone on a late night when everything else was closed…read more Make sure to bring your ID because they do check it when entering. We sat ourselves, and a waiter came over to greet and bring us menus. There were tons of different versions of French dip, and lots of their menu items seemed to have Asian influence. we ordered the Karaage, the Saigon, and crispy potatoes. Everything came out super hot and fresh. The Karaage was like thin chicken strips with a batter with subtle Asian flavors (ginger/garlic). The crispy potatoes were VERY crispy- to the point that they were a bit overdone. The Saigon had flavors of a banh mi but with beef. It was an odd combination and I felt like the potion of meat was lacking but the Sandwich still tasted great. The jalapeños added a pretty spicy kick so keep that in mind if you don't like that hotness. Overall, it was an enjoyable meal and the ambiance was very laid back and chill.

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    NADC Burger

    NADC Burger

    4.2
    (174 reviews)
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    Our go-to spot on Larimer Square for an incredible burger and fries. Every visit hits. Food is…read moreconsistently excellent, and the team keeps the energy high even late after an Avs game. Big shoutout to Chris at the front. He runs the door like a pro and sets the tone from the moment you walk in. Great to hear new locations are coming to Las Vegas and LA. We'll be there.

    Finally got to check out NADC burger in Larimer Square last night. It is easily the most casual…read morerestaurant on the block and was relatively empty on a Friday night. We placed our orders at the cash register, and took a table for a relatively short wait to get our food. NADC has a limited menu, an approach that makes sense in a burger joint IMO, and I got the namesake (double) burger, an order of fries and a beer. It was $30 for that, and honestly I don't have much of a quibble with that these days, though using disposable plastic cups doesn't help the ambiance or the environment. The smash burger had great seared lacey edges, and while it was melting and hot, my top bun was still cold to the touch. The fries were really crispy, and appeared to be coated/battered to achieve further effect. There was what seemed to be more burger sauce for dipping and something akin to ketchup + that was extra tangy and reminded me of Worcestershire sauce. All in all it was good, but exceptionally one note, which I blame on an aggressive amount of salt and pepper. The pickled jalapeños, cheese and sauce didn't even register their flavor when I was eating it. And because the fries were likewise salty and there was not a typical sweet ketchup pairing, they did not help the situation. A couple of my friends enjoyed their burgers more, but they also got singles which may have changed the balance some. Beyond that, we were told they didn't have a restroom that we could use, because it's apparently downstairs and the elevator was out of service. So it wasn't a particularly great place to hang out and we needed to go elsewhere to find facilities afterwards. I would put it at 3.5 stars overall; some room for improvement.

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    Elevated Hospitality: A Masterclass in Event Execution at Tom's Watch Bar…read more I recently organized an event for 120 guests at Tom's Watch Bar in Denver, and the experience was nothing short of spectacular. From the initial contract phase to the final onsite execution, the team proved they are true masters of high-stakes hospitality. The Vision & Planning Working with Joanna during the planning phase was a dream. She is a consummate professional with a sharp eye for detail. She understood exactly how to translate our brand into the space, creating a custom Denver-themed digital design featuring our logo that played across every large screen. The energy it brought to the room was palpable--our Immediate Past President was so impressed she's already requested the same "wow factor" for all our future events. The Spread The catering exceeded all expectations. We opted for a diverse package that catered beautifully to everyone, including our vegetarian and vegan guests. The Savory: The mac & cheese was a crowd favorite, and the chicken tenders were perfectly crispy and moist. The loaded sliders and tater tot bar also kept the energy high throughout the evening. The Sweet: Do not miss the dessert bar. Specifically, there is a peanut butter bar with an incredible internal crunch that is absolutely addictive. The Atmosphere & Entertainment The venue layout is genius. We had a mix of indoor seating for both small and large group discussions, plus an incredible outdoor space with stunning stadium views. We brought in a third-party karaoke vendor, and the staff--Joanna, Zach and Matt--coordinated with them so seamlessly behind the scenes that I didn't have to worry about a single technical detail. Between the karaoke, Jenga, and cornhole, there was never a dull moment. The Service What truly sets this venue apart is the personal touch. Zach and Matt are absolute stars. Knowing I was busy managing the entrance and welcoming guests, they went out of their way to check in on me personally, ensuring I had food and a drink in hand. That level of care for an event organizer is rare and deeply appreciated. If you are looking for a venue that combines a high-energy atmosphere with white-glove professional service, Tom's Watch Bar is the place. Request Joanna, Zach, and Matt--you'll be in the best hands in Denver.

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    The Crispy Chicken & Cornbread Pancake was made with sweet cornbread pancake topped with premium hand-battered chicken tenders.
    The Crispy Chicken & Cornbread Pancake was made with sweet cornbread pancake topped with premium hand-battered chicken tenders.
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    Hayter's & Co.

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    I went here late in the night and hung out up on the patio and it was such an energized and social…read morevibe and perfect to finish off a night out. We pretty much went right up to rooftop bar when we got there which was a great choice but it seems like a decent amount of people were hanging out there too. Decent selection of drinks and not too high of prices considering it's downtown Denver and bartenders were all nice. I could see myself coming back here mainly for the rooftop patio.

    This was an unplanned stop for a quick bite to eat and honestly middle of the road with nothing…read morenoteworthy. If you are looking for a sports bar to watch a game while enjoying a drink and bite to eat this may be the spot for you. Maybe due to being no major sporting event it was extremely dead on Sunday around dinner time. Which was fine with me cause it was nice not dealing with an overly loud crowd. They had a large amount of drink options including some good beer options with tons of cocktails/full bar available as you'd expect from a sports bar. The bartender was friendly after some conversation but at first seemed in an off mood. I suppose possibly due to the fact work was so dead may be why. Thankfully the best part was the Philly Cheesesteak and fries we split. Both were tasty, even more so than I honestly expected. Like I said if you're looking for a sports bar experience with friends this could be the spot for you. Just was so so in my opinion for our visit.

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    Bar
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    Burger and fries
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    Illegal Burger - Writer Square - burgers - Updated August 2026

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