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    The Universal

    4.1 (767 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

    The Universal Photos

    THE UNIVERSAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Tree O.

    Ate here many years ago and all I remembered was that the biscuits were good. My memory was correct! Beverages and food were served promptly but we hardly saw our server after he brought our food: no coffee refills or check back to see if we needed anything. I'm still giving a 5-star rating because the food was so good. I only ordered a standard breakfast, but the eggs, bacon and potatoes were all cooked perfectly and I could eat several of those biscuits. I'll try not to wait so long again to return.

    Blueberry Or Banana Walnut Pancakes
    Adrienne E.

    Solid spot to grab breakfast or brunch! They have a wide variety of tasty menu items, and have options for the vegan, vegetarian, or carnivore crown. Service is very friendly, and parking is easy. I've brought multiple visitors here, and everybody has always enjoyed their meal. My favorite thing to order here are the cornbread rancheros - they are so good! The pancakes are also good, and huge! One thing to note is that there is an upcharge if you want real maple syrup with your pancakes.

    Custard toast
    Gaston N.

    I really enjoyed the selection of here... the pork green chili and grits had some good heat but a good taste as well. The custard toast was something different than the usual and really good, which is what I like in a restaurant especially for breakfast. The people behind the bar were nice and made a nice seasonal coffee drink. Worth checking out.

    Biscuits And Gravy 2 overeasy eggs
    Katherine H.

    The food was great. My husband liked the Arnold Palmer. A cute little hole in the wall place.

    Olesya P.

    Came here for breakfast. I would say it is a diner but a little nicer than a regular diner. Service was great, much better than in most places in Denver. I wasn't a fun of the seats because they were too hard. Otherwise place is clean and appealing, The menu is pretty large and has lots of selections and reasonably priced. I think it was the cheapest meal we had in Denver and it was also high quality and tasty. I had quinoa ball that was unique and filling. My husband had breakfast plate with eggs and meat patty. Meat patty was actually made of real meat and not some processed food. Definitely recommend.

    U Breakfast Burrito
    Stefanie C.

    Holy crap. One of the best breakfast burritos I've had in Denver. The Universal isn't a massive restaurant, and it gets busy, so if you're going to walk in for brunch like me and my two friends did on a Sunday morning, I'd recommend arriving early, especially to find parking. We were eventually seated at the bar in some corner seats. The U Breakfast Burrito ($15) has jalapeño, cheddar and pepper jack grits, pulled pork, eggs, and habanero honey, smothered with pulled pork green chili and cilantro. OMG! It's huge, packed with flavor, and fresh. I didn't get a chance to try their Bloody Mary but definitely will next time. Service was quick. Would come back and get another burrito.

    The universal with drooling food hanger steak
    Natalia N.

    I don't know what I was thinking with the last review. This is by far our favorite brunch spot in Denver BY FaR. In a world where people are more focused on health this is the perfect balance of diner meets quality. Where you can have amazing tasting dishes but not feel like you're rolling out the door. If you're in DENVeR don't think twice!

    Grit special
    Lindsey K.

    One of our breakfast staples. Their food is unique and delicious and their grits are the best around (daily specials are awesome). I love coming during the week for discounted mimosas and bloodies. Come early on the weekends to avoid the wait. I prefer to sit at the bar where the staff give great service, and people watch.

    Bloody Mary
    Sangita P.

    Met my girls group for a beginning of summer brunch... The hostess was great and accommodating. While they dont seat you until your whole party is there, they keep your place in line. We all chose their signature Bloody Mary which was so delicious! Our meals were hot and tasty! Burritto and eggs benedict were yummy. I tried the smoked tomato scramble... While I love tomatoes and spinach in my eggs, I wasn't a fan of the smoke flavor. And, there are some many other delicious items to try! What a great way to start our summer!

    The Universal plate with biscuits & gravy, pork sausage, potatoes, and eggs
    Stephanie N.

    This place can get pretty busy on the weekends, so expect to wait a bit. There is free parking in the parking lot. Always had a solid experience here. Servers are really nice and attentive. Food comes out super fast! Their pork sausage is homemade and so good! They are thick patties - highly recommend! Also love their potatoes. They come thinly sliced and some parts are crispy, which are my favorite. I got an iced chai and they have a spicy or honey version. I ordered honey and it was great, just a bit too much milk was added. The server was nice enough to add more chai for me. So if you want light milk, might be worth letting your server know

    The U Breakfast Burrito (with over easy egg inside)
    Tammy S.

    I met a friend from Aurora here as it is the same amount of time for both of us. I was pleasantly surprised by the amazing food as it was my first visit. We were seated immediately and the staff was friendly and helpful. We both ordered the lavender mimosa - I'm not a big fan of bubbly, but this drink was light and delicious without being overpowered by the lavender. It is also a large mimosa! The food was fabulous and I've been telling my friends that this is my new favorite brunch place! I ordered the U Breakfast burrito and the grits inside were flavorful and creamy - the perfect grits! The pork was tender and juicy and the balance of sweet, spicy, savory made this one of my favorite breakfast burritos of all time. My friend ordered the cornbread rancheros and I got to have a couple of bites. Another wonderful and well balanced dish! I will be back with friends and family. Thank you for making our birthday brunch amazing!

    Mark F.

    I think my last review was for something else, but I went back to home base for my visit today. So, I am going to go on record that I THINK that the Wild Boar Scramble from here is my favorite breakfast in all of Denver. Know that you have to embrace sun dried tomatoes, as I do. But, if that is the case, then this will be bliss for you also. Marco was my server today, but note that they are ALL great servers, and it is a team effort that is seamless. I personally am a bar sitter, and the bar is spacious and clean. You will wait on weekends if you don't set an alarm, but that is a good thing. They always have a grits special on the chalkboard. If you like grits, this will be bliss for you too. Definitely recommend, updated pic of the WBS is below, and see you there.

    Custard French toast

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    6 months ago

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    Kourtnie S.

    Thank you Jessica. We appreciate your review.

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    Is the patio dog friendly?

    Unfortunately it is not, however, you can tie the pup up out front. They have a bowl for water out :)… Read more

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    Sam's No 3

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    CBD, Northwest

    This place brings people on its own: no extra reviews are needed but will still write one because…read morethey were amazing! We were looking for a hearty meal, and were lucky to have this one within walking distance of our hotel. The food was more than enough, and very tasty! The meals were well served, and flavorful. Our server was amazing! He is there Fridays and Sundays (I'm sure more days but from what we remember) him and the staff were very friendly, and on top of our needs. I recommend the "chingon" and if you like Bloody Marys, they have a great one! The place is big; divided in 2, one side is the restaurant and the other is a bar, with opening seating (if available). Proves are very reasonable. This is a restaurant you must try!

    Another business trip to Denver, another chance to check a spot off the list--and if Guy Fieri has…read morebeen here, you know it's getting a visit. Right in downtown, Sam's No. 3 definitely grabs your attention. Classic diner vibe with a modern twist, busy energy, and a menu that's massive. Seriously--this place has something for everyone, and then some. I came in knowing I had to get back to work, so the legendary "Kitchen Sink" was out (tempting... but no chance I'm surviving that before a meeting ). After going back and forth, I landed on the French Dip. It was good--solid, no complaints--but didn't quite hit that "wow" level I'm always chasing. A little more punch would've helped, and the creamy horseradish definitely should be part of the standard setup--it made a difference. Now my dining partner... he went big. He had the sMacdown Burrito, an oversized burrito loaded with mac & cheese, tots, eggs, and chorizo. He slid me a sample, and I've gotta say--that thing brought the flavor. Bold, fun, and exactly what you'd expect from a place like this. The Verdict: Sam's No. 3 is a fun, high-energy spot with an incredible menu and something for every appetite. My sandwich didn't steal the show, but there's enough here to make me want another run at it. Next time? I'm going all-in on breakfast--because let's be honest, breakfast anytime is never the wrong decision.

    Former Saint Craft Kitchen and Taps - Left overs!

    Former Saint Craft Kitchen and Taps

    (111 reviews)

    $$

    CBD, Northwest

    Well, I have visited this restaurant 3 times. All 3 times have been for a holiday brunch or…read moredinner. Location (4 stars) This restaurant is downtown near the convention center. parking is pricy if you valet park at the hotel. Last year it was around $40. Parking in the lot across the street for $25 dollars Easter Sunday. If you use a walker, I would not recommend the parking lot across the street. Food (3 Stars) The Thanksgiving buffet is the best one. I would rate that buffet a (4). The Christmas and Easter buffet are pretty low key. There is a carving station (ham and prime rib). There is an omelet station. Dessert bar is decorative. Cheesecake was delicious. The warming station with potatoes, sausage etc. leaves much to be desired. The charcuterie station is sparse. They offer unlimited mimosas for an additional $25. Service (5 stars) Staff are extremely friendly. Cleanliness (2 stars) My only complaint, I saw a tabletop being cleaned off with a rag used to clean the chairs and then under the table on the floor and on to the next tabletop. I'm just a little picky about that. Especially since folks these days go commando and wear short attire, and you know their parts are on the chair and now spread to tabletops. Wiping up the crumbs off the floor with same rag simply through me over the edge. Atmosphere (4 stars) Spacious uncrowded environment. Nice decor. Bright with large windows.

    During the last few Denver Restaurant Week events, I've tried to take the offerings as an…read moreopportunity to sample restaurants that I haven't tried, or otherwise may not try, and see if I can add to my list of favorites. I saw Former Saint on CBS News, and the menu and food looked incredible. In particular, that white chocolate blueberry cheesecake was something I know my hubby would look forward to all week! I loved the idea of local food and fresh homemade dishes. Sounds healthy, after a week of potential over-indulgence at other restaurant week venues. An additional bonus was that it is located right near the Denver Convention Center and the Performing Arts Center. This has become a dry spot for fine dining, with even the choices on Larimer Square growing more thin, giving rise to the inability to get reservations at favorites like Tamayo and Rioja prior to a show. I go to performances frequently with friends, and despite my rule to avoid hotel restaurants (Former Saint is in the Hyatt Regency), I thought I'd scope out Former Saint as a place to take my friends before the next symphony or Children's Chorale or ballet or broadway performance. I must say, the jury is still out. Former Saint was a Jekyll and Hyde of courses. Parking was not difficult (Yay, maybe I can park here prior to my shows, if I grab a bite first). There is a large garage, and the promise of validation from the restaurant. The ambiance of the restaurant is typical hotel restaurant. Booths, tables, old and a bit drab. Except for the bar. Oh, my! The bar has this BEAUTIFUL copper creation above it, adding so much industrial character to the space! I was in awe looking at it, as it appeared to bring craft suds to the bartender's taps. I didn't ask how it worked, as it wasn't clear how the beer separation and dispensing worked, but it was a great centerpiece and spectacle for the place. I do wish I had investigated more about this architectural marvel, and will do so if I return. For restaurant week, my husband chose the Lobster Ravioli, Ribeye, and blueberry cheesecake (as predicted). I chose the Gotham salad, roasted chicken, and key lime tart. The lobster ravioli was nice; my husband was surprised that it was a toasted ravioli, but enjoyed it. My salad was full of beautiful greens, pears, walnuts, and feta. No scrimping here! The dressing was light and sweet/sour. The pears were a bit unripe and crisp, to the point that I was having trouble identifying exactly what fruit I was eating, but other than that, the salad was beautiful, healthy, and ample. My husband's ribeye steak was a nice cut, done to his liking. Slivered hash browns were underneath with a nice green chimichurri on top and some sliced Fresnos adding a welcome kick to the dish. My chicken was delightful. 1/2 chicken on the bone, seasoned nicely, and with a pan sauce. The breast was super-tender and delicious. It came atop cheesy grits, which was a yummy substitute for a mashed potato. I also was served side salad of curly lettuce and fennel. I probably didn't need more salad, but I was glad to have the healthy side on my plate. I will say that this salad was over-seasoned. The chicken and grits were great, but the salad too salty. My husband ordered a glass of J. Lohr Cabernet, which was a very nice find on the wine list, as far as a pairing for his ribeye. That said, the glass cost $30! A bit much, I might say. The real detractor, unfortunately, was dessert. The blueberry cheesecake looked nothing like the beautiful creamy white cheesecake accented throughout by purple blueberries, which I saw on the CBS News clip. My husband was served a very small solid purple slice, overcome with whipped cream dollops. This cheesecake had been uncovered in the fridge too long, with sort of a skin on it. My husband ate almost none of it. My key lime tart was similarly over-adorned with whipped cream, although I had some nice raspberries on top. The tart also seemed overexposed to the cool air, with the thickening of a skin on top. It was a very disappointing way to end a nice meal, and belied the healthy, homemade, craft theme. High points of this experience include the well-crafted and healthy entrees, the fact that we could see the convention center right outside our window (i.e., the location is perfect for pre-event or -theater), the $3.00 validated parking fee, and that beautiful copper tap system. Will the pros outweigh the cons? Will we be back with friends? Time will tell.

    The Universal - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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