The Universal

The Universal is a place that lives up to its name - it's literally good at everything. The food, the service, the cocktails, the vibe... it's the full package, all wrapped up and tied together with a pretty little Americana diner themed bow.

The venue is perfect for both big groups and small, and works even better if you're looking to grab a bite solo - a move we strongly endorse, especially during peak hours. Not only will an unaccompanied breakfast help you avoid the wait on weekends (and you will have to wait), it'll also give you a chance to get serious with an order of corn bread rancheros and custard toast without judgement from those friends who always give you crap for ordering "more than you can eat." As if that's ever possible. Go big here and be proud. The cool waitstaff will likely cheer you on by bringing several rounds of their favorite cocktail to help incentivize your resolve to keep eating.

It's always easy to say a place like this has something for everyone, but in this case, it’s actually true. Our only worry is that more people will find out about the U and make the wait longer for us when we head over. Not that we mind waiting for a place this good.

See you in line.

Food Rundown

Biscuits & Gravy

There's nothing wrong with eating biscuits and gravy. Ever. At The Universal, it's bigger game, with a thick and rich gravy and a super dense biscuit. This will have you sleeping soon after consuming.

Custard Toast

French toast on crack. A little less texture in the toast as the name suggests, but the fruit that comes along helps with that. Decadent as all get out, but you deserve it.

Sweet & Savory Quinoa Bowl

We get it. We get it. But this is Denver and you know you have eight friends that won't eat brunch with you because the place you're going doesn't have a quinoa bowl on the menu. This one isn't horrible to us, and will likely be glorious to them.

Corn Bread Rancheros

A surprisingly lighter take on the huevos version you're used to, but don't be fooled. This is another menu item that'll put you to sleep if you get after it. A lot of flavors going on, but they come together really well.

Fried Egg & Gruyere Sandwich

Tender belly bacon, sausage, thick gruyere and tomatoes on a croissant. Don't know what else to say except the only bad part is having to lick butter off your fingers after each bite. So, right. No bad parts.

Wild Boar Scramble

All the scrambles are good, but this is our tops. Boar sausage, caramelized onions, and gouda mixed with a big heap of griddled potatoes. Top this with a few fried eggs and die happy. You'll seriously probably die, but if you prefer to die any other way, you shouldn't be reading stuff from us.

Two Egg Standard

The essential of breakfast menus everywhere, but that doesn't mean it's always good everywhere. At The Universal, it's really good. Get it.