I’ve been a longtime fan of BBQ but there’s nothing fast about ordering it. In fact, BBQ is best when it’s slow-roasted so waiting a bit longer for quality is part of the expectation. That wait is no longer. CARVE – a new fast-casual concept – is serving up mouthwatering barbecue, cooked low and slow, at their new Denver restaurant.
Located at the bustling intersection of Colorado Boulevard and E. Tennessee Avenue, CARVE serves ethically-raised meats, carved to order, and paired with scratch sides made from fresh local and seasonal ingredients. Choices include chicken ($7.95), pulled pork ($7.45), brisket or bunt ends ($8.95), hot link or Kielbasa ($6.45), vegetarian ($6.45) or St. Louis Ribs ($8.95) with a bevvy of traditional sides with a twist, such as BBQ Potato Salad and Baked Beans with Burnt Ends.
True to its fast-casual claims, we went through the build-your-own meal assembly line and enjoyed sampling barbecue influences from around the country. I particularly loved the burnt ends, my husband was a fan of the brisket while my son inhaled his pulled pork sandwich. Be sure to sample all four sauces: Carolina Gold, Milk, Spicy Hot and Sweet Cherry.
The menu is still being tweaked and I particularly appreciated the Large Takeout and Catering options that range in price from $9.95 to $29.95–perfect for busy moms to grab and go. Though CARVE is family-friendly, I would like to see a kid’s menu and/or smaller portion or half sizes (my son loved his sandwich but couldn’t finish it; I generously obliged by polishing it off. Dessert options are limited to a cookie and banana pudding (both $1.50), the latter of which I’d highly recommend.
If you’re a hardcore BBQ aficionado like my husband who smokes his own meats, you likely won’t find their meats smokey enough. But if you’re like me, you’ll appreciate this quick and tasty addition to Denver’s fast-casual dining scene.
Contest
Mile High Mamas is giving away two $50 gift cards for you to try CARVE with your family. Please enter below as many as five times.
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
