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Dining out
Off-campus eateries mix monster portions, charming ambiance
By Clarke Reader
creader3@mscd.edu

Photo by Rachel Crick • crick@mscd.edu Suzy-Q-Frozen Yogurt features a wide selection of sandwiches and wraps, as well as ice cream and frozen yogurt.

Suzy-Q-Frozen Yogurt
709 16th St.
Between the major stations of Stout and California on the always-busy 16th Street Mall is a little deli and ice cream parlor that makes some of the best sandwiches in the city at a reasonable price.

Suzy-Q-Frozen Yogurt may be small, but its sandwiches are filling, and with the option of sitting outside and reveling in the bustling Denver atmosphere, it’s a stop worth making.

The shop offers three types of sandwiches to its visitors: deli-style, oven-baked gourmet and wraps. Almost all of these come with “freebies” ranging from mustard and mayonnaise to sprouts and jalapeños.

Suzy-Q’s specialty is its oven-baked gourmet sandwiches. The Italian ($4.69), which comes with smoked ham, Genoa salami and Provolone cheese, is a spicy combination that gains some extra zest with added Italian dressing.

Another delectable choice is the traditional ($5.29), which has roast beef, turkey, ham, American cheese and ranch dressing. The addition of ranch with sprouts and cucumbers combined with the thick layers of meat give the sandwich an added layer of flavor.

If the deli-style sandwich sounds best, Suzy-Q features such classic styles such as the BLT ($4.09) and the Reuben ($4.39).
As for the wraps, all of which feature a spinach tortilla, there are seven options to choose from, including a garden wrap ($4.29) with vegetables, guacamole and cheese.

Suzy-Q also offers two different “box lunches” for those on the go. For about $7, one can get a sandwich with chips, cookie, gum and a choice of potato, macaroni or pasta salad.

Be sure to make some room for dessert, because Suzy-Q has delicious frozen yogurt ($1.59 for small, $2.39 for medium and $2.99 for large) and Liks ice cream ($2.19 for one scoop, $3.09 for two, and $3.79 for three).

It may take a couple of bus hops and a little walking, but with all Suzy-Q has to offer, the journey is more than worth it.

Photo by Jenn LeBlanc • jkerriga@mscd.edu Jessica Caouette tends the bar at the Wazee Lounge and Supper Club at 15th and Wazee, downtown. While the restaurant has its calm periods, after 5 p.m. it starts to get busy.

Wazee Supper Club
1600 15th St.
Nestled among some of Denver’s oldest buildings, the Wazee Supper Club – located at 15th and Wazee -– has been a staple of the city for more than 30 years, and a visit today demonstrates why it has been around so long.

Housed in what was originally a 1910 plumbing supply house, the Wazee Supper Club maintains a comfortable, contemporary atmosphere as it keeps its sense of history.

In its nostalgic atmosphere, one can hear golden oldies on the stereo and catch a game on one of the restaurant’s many TVs.

The best thing about the Supper Club is the food, which covers everything from massive burgers to award-winning pizzas to a wide variety of Strombolis and sandwiches.

The Supper Club offers its trademark Bianca style, which includes olive oil, fresh garlic, mozzarella and herbs. Diners are free to add their own toppings or go with old standbys like vegetarian, meat lovers and supreme. There are three sizes – 10” ($6.25, $7.25), 14” ($10.25, $12.25) and 16” ($14.25, $16.25) – and the cost varies depending on cheese toppings.

Another favorite is the buffalo burger ($5.95), which is 90 percent fat free. With 18 add-on toppings available, ranging from American cheese and bacon to bleu cheese crumbles and avocado, diners can fully customize their burger. The bleu cheese crumbles are a perfect topping for this grilled, juicy burger, as they deepen taste and enhance the flavor.

The Supper Club also offers superb sandwiches. The albacore tuna melt ($7.25) is a tuna salad sandwich topped with red peppers and melted Swiss cheese on sourdough. The sandwich staple is enhanced by the red peppers, which give it a spicy kick and flesh out the tuna’s flavor. Other options include the Philly cheese steak ($6.95), blue steak sandwich ($7.95) and the N.Y. style Reuben ($6.95).

The one drawback is that burgers and sandwiches are served à la carte. French fries or onion rings come separately. An order of the “frings” ($1.75 - $2.75) – which includes fries and onion rings – is a good choice for those who can’t decide.

After one visit it is easy to predict that the Wazee Supper Club will be a staple of Denver for another 30 years.

Photo by Rachel Crick • crick@mscd.edu Buca di Beppo’s atmosphere is an eclectic collection of photos, memorabilia and music.

Buca di Beppo
1400 Market Street
A restaurant’s atmosphere can go a long way. Average food can find added flavor in a distinctive setting and cozy ambiance.

Buca di Beppo is just across Speer at 14th and Market and specializes in detailed, engaging Italian atmosphere. Though the menu offers a merely average selection of classic Italian dishes, the coordinated wall decorations and thematic mood music lends the cuisine extra appeal.

The restaurant is full of pictures of Italian landmarks and citizens, along with shrines to some of the country’s most famous names: Frank Sinatra, Joe DiMaggio and Sophia Loren. In addition, each room on the lower level has a different paint scheme, all with various fruits.

Music by Sinatra, Dean Martin and Al Martino is piped through the restaurant and complements the cluttered, colorful setting. The restaurant is larger than it looks, consisting of an upper level with kitchen and bar, and a sprawling lower level with most of the seating. Before being seated, first-time visitors can also get a tour of the kitchen and an introduction to the chef.

The lunch menu is shorter than the dinner menu but still has a lot to offer. The servings may be smaller, but they still pack a wallop.

The lunch menu includes a variety of appetizers, from garlic bread to fried calamari. The rest of the menu offers a wide range of choices in several categories: salads, sandwiches, pizza, pastas and entrees – chicken with lemon, eggplant parmesan or fresh salmon.

A good way to start is with the classic caesar salad served with an extra tang: lemon on the side. The chicken pesto sandwich includes pesto aioli, tomatoes and provolone cheese, and is served with homemade rosemary chips. The combo of tender chicken and provolone is key to this sandwich. It’s not too large, but it’s quite filling.

If a rich, plentiful lunch is more what one craves, the timeless chicken alfredo is a smart decision. Be warned: it’s very filling, but every bite is just the right mix of creamy sauce and grilled chicken. It’s a classic for a reason.

Buca also has several mouth-watering twists on familiar desserts: chocolate cannoli, spumoni ice cream or homemade cheesecake served with raspberry sauce and toasted hazelnuts. It’s hard to imagine having enough room for dessert after such a large meal, but the options certainly make it tempting.

Buca di Beppo’s food is not extraordinary. It’s also a bit pricier than what many Metro students can spend on lunch. Still, the concentrated Italian atmosphere adds culture to an otherwise ordinary dining experience, and sometimes the ambiance can make all the difference.