Backstreet Tavern and Grill — Restaurant in Aurora

As time goes on and we are exposed to the systematic evolution of bars and eateries led created and defined by interior designers, psychologists and marketing teams as well as the impact of social media where we first eat with our eyes and no longer by smell we are losing what makes eating out special. What makes eating out special? Why did we go in the first place? Easy! it was about community serving great food and good drinks and enjoying the human experience together.

Back street tavern is truly the best "hole in the wall" joints in the DENVER area. extradorinarly and unexpectedly enjoyable on the deepest levels.

It was like I was able to go back in time 20-30 years before the internet took control of society, before corporate America claimed every aspect of our lives.

This place should be slammed with tik tokers and insta-gramers claiming they found the best food they ever had like an Anthony Bourdain wannabe, but it's not. It's actually kind of sad how not busy this place is but I guess bc this place represents a golden age that has passed, modern society has forgotten that it exists on a "back street" and that is A-OK with me as long as they stick around for a long while and never change.

Try the burgers try the wings why not try everything?

But especially the wings. They taste like Buffalo wings. No, not a "buffalo wing" but an actual wing cooked in one of the better wing joints in Buffalo NY. You can trust me bc I used to ride my bike to Duff's growing up down the street from them and eventually the "pop" turned into pitchers of Labatt blue as I grew up.

Next time I'm having a bad day and feel like I need to find a little bit of comfort in a world gone mad. You'll find me right here.

Last tip, dine in, don't do take out. Talk to the people next to...

I stopped in for a quick bite to eat at what I naively imagined would be a slow time at the Backstreet Tavern and Grill. (Sunny and warm early afternoon fall weekend, perfect motorcycling weather, southwest facing patio. Yep, a complete blindside...)

This wasn't my first time here, but after my previous visit I had resolved to return and try more of their food.

I was not to be disappointed.

Amazingly, I found a seat at the crowded bar (thank you, bar gods) and was immediately recognized by Jackie, the bartender. As I ordered I glanced around, failing to find the server that I assumed was helping her with dining room and the patio. Slowly, I began to realize that she was working all three areas by herself. Incredibly, she was keeping up with the tables on the patio, in the dining room, as well as orders from the bar. I asked her where her help was, and she just smiled. Lewis, the chef, was helping where he could, but it was strictly a one girl show and she was pulling it off like a pro. Each time my glass emptied she noticed it and offered me another, even if she was out in the dining room at the time. This is what separates adequate bartenders from great ones, and why the great ones deserve all the tips.

I ordered my sandwich and Lewis brought it out in record time, complete with napkins and silverware. It was delicious. Being only my second visit, I can happily say that the food here is under priced, over valued, and excellent.

To the owners: Do you want customers for life? Because this is how you get customers for life! (Also, maybe some help on Saturday afternoon when its bike weather? Suggesting for a friend...) This is my new...

Man, I hate to do this because we've been coming here for years and the food is really good, but the service hasn't been great the past few times and tonight it was downright bad. It felt like the bartender was trying not to make eye contact with anyone. We waited at least 20 total minutes with empty plates and glasses for our check, during which time she did a bunch of stuff behind the bar with her back turned, then went outside for a bit and came back in without looking around the room and went back to bar tasks with her back turned. I even went up to the bar with my credit card and waited for 10+ minutes there, and she managed to finish slicing limes and scoot out from behind the bar without even turning around to see me standing there. It was not busy, under 15 people in the whole place. I realize it's a small bar and there's often just one person working both bar and dining room, but most of the time the bartender does a decent job and/or appears to be trying. We didn't leave a tip, which I don't think we've ever done, but this was exceptionally bad service. Sorry, Backstreet... It's...