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Why 3rd-Party Delivery Services Might Be Hurting Denver Restaurants More Than Helping

Posted on November 2, 2023   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Peyton Garcia

Peyton Garcia

A person on a bike rides with a food delivery bag on their back

DoorDash and GrubHub are here to stay. But are they hurting more than they’re helping? (nirat / Getty Images)

This week on Denver’s dining scene: The pros and cons of third-party delivery services; one of the city’s O.G. Den-Mex joints celebrates six decades; and a survey of Denver’s Japanese food offerings.

🥡 At the height of the pandemic, local restaurants relied desperately on third-party delivery companies to keep their businesses afloat. But now? At least one local restaurateur says services like DoorDash and Uber Eats are hurting more than helping. [BusinessDen 🔒]

🍣 Kobe An in Cherry Creek — considered by some to be the longest running Japanese restaurant in Denver — closed for good this month after its building was earmarked for demolition. Owner Kimie Loeffler says the restaurant will not be reopening. [BusinessDen 🔒]

  • Dig into the details: We discuss this story and take a more expansive look at Denver’s Japanese culinary landscape on today’s podcast episode. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🥕 We Don’t Waste, a local nonprofit that redistributes surplus food from restaurants and catering companies to people facing food insecurity, will be moving into newer, bigger digs with three times the freezer space and double the cooler capacity. [Westword]

🌮 Mexico City Restaurant and Lounge — to many, the city’s quintessential spot for Den-Mex cuisine — is celebrating (roughly) 65 years in business with killer specials and exclusive menu items today through Sunday. [Westword]

🍔 After 25 years of loyally dishing up diner vibes for the Aurora community, Sam’s No. 3 on Havana Street has announced plans to shut its doors for good by the end of the year. The restaurant’s two other locations in Glendale and Denver will remain open. [Westword]

🥟 It seems Denver can’t get enough dumplings — so it’s a good thing one Colorado restaurateur is bringing four new dim sum and dumpling joints to the metro area. [Denver Post 🔒]

  • Hungry for more? Listen to us talk about Denver’s dumpling moment with 5280 food editor and dumpling expert Ethan Pan. [City Cast Denver 🎧]
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