Established in 2001, the employee owned Appaloosa Grill is a refreshingly unique choice among eateries that line the 16th Street Mall. The diverse all day menu features 100% natural meats as well as a variety of vegetarian options. The Grill also boasts two happy hours a day, a private party room for groups up to 75, a patio on the 16th Street Mall, live entertainment nightly and a kitchen that serves til 1am.
The Appaloosa Grill is a fusion of food and ambiance that is both upscale and casual. Warm cherry woodwork, burgundy-upholstered booths and elegant lighting make Appaloosa Grill popular for business lunches, while an antique bar with blazing candles and modern light fixtures offer dinner guests a classy, moody atmosphere. Appaloosa Grill opened in April 2001 to provide a unique dining experience for Downtown Denver's visitors, habitants and workers.
"I heard good things about this place, unfortunately this was not the case with me. I ordered a Caesar salad and the bison steak and waited, and waited, and waited. As I sat behind the bar and waited, observed a group of 5 or so food servers including mine, do a shot of something! After about 40 minutes of waiting, my main course came. It was good but the fact I had to wait so long lessened the experience. After I was done I reminded the waiter that he forgot my Caesar salad to which he replied, oh! Perhaps the alcohol was to blame!"
Dined on 5/19/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene
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"I was visiting from out of town and went here based on other review sites. What a fantastic restaurant! Highly recommend - the truffle oil fries were amazing and the bison burger with side salad was a perfect dinner. They have a variety of local draft brews as well that seemed to have something for every beer type."
Dined on 4/30/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"Hot spot for good food. Tons of your favorite classics with an Appaloosa twist. Always ask what the special of the day is, it's always something that will make you think."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"Go to the Appaloosa for the food. There is always something new for a special and the menu has very interesting items. Sometimes the service leaves something to be desired, ok often, but if you don't like to be bothered by the wait staff, you'll love it."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"This place was okay. The food wasn't bad, but the service was terrible. It took about 10 minutes for our server to greet our table, and then we watched him stand around and drink a Red Bull while we were waiting for our water. We also saw other servers standing around eating at the bar while their tables waited. Maybe slow service is acceptable after 10 when the live music is playing, but we were there for dinner and expected more.
The food was okay. It wasn't bad, but because of the service, I would be more likely to find mediocre food somewhere else. Although, the cucumber Cosmo was absolutely delicious!"
Dined on 04/12/2013
2012
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"Our waitress Sara was great - always available, friendly and very efficient. We were a group of 8 and the opinions on the food varied from great (appetizers) to good (Thai curry) to average (ribs."
Dined on 04/10/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"My husband and I came here one Friday night from a friend's suggestion. The service was great, food was more than amazing, and we environment was great. It was rather busy, but they handled it all extremely well, it was our home opener that day and I was very impressed."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"This was just OK. It was loud and we were stuck in a corner table near the kitchen. The food was just alright (though I loved that they had kale on the menu and it was really tasty). Not sure we'd go back."
Dined on 04/02/2013
2011
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"Denver Restaurant Week/5280 encouraged us to give Appaloosa Grill a try for the first time. We enjoyed the meatloaf. The sides and other dishes were reminiscent of fine dining (portions and price), without the culinary talent for complimenting each other.
The service was good and our hostess very nice. The ambiance was OK, but the low tops with the raised booths above them are a little uncomfortable."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2011
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"I had what is probably the best hangar steak I've ever eaten. The mashed potatoes are light, yet filling and the English pot roast is incredibly tender. Mac and cheese is tasty, albeit at bit much with bacon...which is probably why it's not paired with the hangar steak on the menu. Only disappointment was that I left my to go box in the refrigerator at the hotel!"
Dined on 03/13/2013
2003
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, late-night find, hot spot
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"Appaloosa Grill is a good restaurant on the 16th Street Mall, close to several business hotels. The food is very good, with a nice range of appetizers (we had the excellent with whipped Brie & garlic confit), burgers, an very good English pot roast and a good steak frittes with garlic herb fries. Our server was attentive and helpful, and the restaurant just generally felt comfortable. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area."
Dined on 03/05/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"The food and service was fantastic! There was never a delay. Great place that I plan on visiting the next time I am in Denver. The baklava was the best I have ever eaten."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"I was surprised how good the food was at Appaloosa Grill, it is so much more than a corner bar. I had a Mahi-Mahi dish that was delicious. The person I was with ordered the fish and chips. Presentation was very nice. One of the owners was working and visited tables and chatted with guests. He was friendly and genuinely seemed interested in our dining experience. The grill is located on a corner which makes for great viewing especially on a weekend. There is also live entertainment."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"The bar and live music was excellent. The 5280 menu food was minuscule and flavorless. Not sure if I want to give the place another try with their regular menu. But the place was jumping and the band was fun."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene
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"Table was a little close to the one next to ours & the volume from that table made it hard to hear each other. Otherwise, the service was good & food was good as well."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"My friend and I went to the Appaloosa Grill for a quick bite prior to catching a show at the Paramount. We were fortunate enough to make it in time for happy hour. We were seated within minutes of arrival (thanks, OpenTable) and our service was great despite the busy Friday evening rush. Their happy hour menu is diverse and offers up large portions of delicious food for great prices! I have been before and couldn't wait for our plate of Garlic Truffle Fries. I ordered the Pakora — delicious, and my friend ordered the Black Bean Burger which was also amazing. I will definitely be back!"
Dined on 03/01/2013
2013
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"This was our first trip to the Apaloosa Grill, but it won't be our last! Our table wasn't ready when we arrived for our reservation, so the hostess offered a free drink from the bar, great service recovery! The service the rest of the evening was right in line with that. Excellent food, we both had the bruschetta (incredible) and the salmon ( also outstanding!). I highly recommend Appaloosa Grill!"
Dined on 03/01/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"In the lifespan of a restaurant this one is falling into middle age...competent menu and preparation but nothing that is going to knock your socks off."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, hot spot
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"We made a reservation in advance. While we waited to be seated at a tiny table for 2, right outside the kitchen several walk-in groups were seated at nice booths. WHAT?
The food was good, but our service was not. We did the 5280 menu and I kid you not....there was a 20 minute wait from when they picked up the appetizer plates to when our entree was served.
I doubt that I will go back."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2011
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"It has a very nice location. The food was interesting and good. I had the buffalo meatloaf and my friends had mahi mahi and ribs. Everyone enjoyed their meal. The portions are more than adequate and the prices friendly. The noise level was such that we were able to comfortably carry on a conversation. The bar room has a little more atmosphere than the dining room."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2008
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"We ate dinner here prior to attending a concert at the Paramount. We selected this restaurant based on the good reviews. The food was barely mediocre. My ribs were chewy and my date said that his fish and chips were the worst he's ever had. Our waitress mostly ignored us. (The gentleman at the table next to us ended up going to the bar to get drinks for his table.)"
Dined on 01/30/2013
2011
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"The Appaloosa Grill was a great place to celebrate Valentine's Day. The food was great and the service was ok. Our server was slow and seemed to forget we were there at times, but I think it may have been due to the Valentine's Day rush. Overall a good experience."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
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"Appaloosa Grill was a delicious and wonderful find. The live music and great service was great and the food was fantastic. I recommend starting with the truffle fries and for an entree the mac n' cheese is legendary as far as my taste buds were concerned. Definitely a great place to bring a date or have a casual lunch or dinner, definitely recommended in my book."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Started with the hostess as we entered. She was friendly and upbeat. Welcomed us graciously even though we were 15 minutes late for our reservation (But we had reserved for 4 pm and got there at 4:15 so not crazy busy yet!). We came in to try happy hour and were not disappointed. The buffalo empanadas - great and would get again! Had the goats cheese quesadillas and the flavors were very nice. A little high priced for a happy hour menu at $10 each plate but still good. Also had the wings. Our server was very attentive. Some local beers on tap were nice. We will return to try dinner some night. Thanks for a nice evening before our movie!"
Dined on 02/13/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"A good simple menu which is what I prefer. Was busy and food came in the expected time. Server was freindly and on top of things. Wanted the English Egg rolls but they were out.... bummer. But will for sure go back again and see some of the live music i hear they are famous for."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2010
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"We always like going down to the Appaloosa. There's generally a band playing, the waitstaff is always great to our child, one time, even taking the a booth apart to get one of his toys that slipped underneath and a varied menu. We had fish, turkey and mac and cheese (Not Kraft thank God) between the three of us and we were extremely happy. The band they hired to play over the dinner hour was very entertaining and as always, a good experience before going to a show."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, late-night find, hot spot
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"I read the reviews on Open Table and thought it would be a good start for our udining experience for the weekend stay in Denver, good choice. I ordered the Florentine Salad, it was not note worthy, but hubby and mom raved about the filet special. Service was excellent. We will visit again."
Dined on 01/24/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, hot spot
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