15 Years of Food Justice on Colfax
Walk into SAME Café on East Colfax, and it looks like your average fast-casual lunch spot. But there’s A LOT of good stuff going on under the surface. SAME, which stands for So All May Eat, is a donation-based “participatory” restaurant. Anyone can go in and get a freshly cooked meal made with local produce. All you have to do is give something back to the community in exchange — be it a donation of produce, money, or your time. Host Bree Davies sits down with SAME Café’s new executive director Brad Reubendale to talk about SAME’s 15-year anniversary, his winding journey to this job, and the restaurant’s new “trauma-informed design.”
For more on SAME Cafe’s 15-year anniversary, check out this article from 5280 Magazine: https://www.5280.com/2021/11/celebrating-one-of-the-countrys-oldest-pay-what-you-can-restaurants/
The holidays are just around the corner! Do you have a favorite tradition around this time of year where you like to give back or connect with our community? Let us know your favorite ways and places to give — and receive — via email at denver@citycast.fm or leave us a voicemail at (720) 500-5418
For more Denver news and cool events, subscribe to our newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/
Have you ever had lunch at SAME Café? Tell us how it was @citycastdenver
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Cool Down With Denver’s Best Ice Cold Treats
‘Tis the season for sweet and icy treats! From a classic mangonada to innovative ice cream nachos, we’ve rounded up a list of great local...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How One City Beat Restrictive Zoning — Presented By City Cast Denver
Do you know how zoning laws affect Denver’s housing costs? New Haven, CT, has been governed for years by restrictive zoning that made it...

Your Guide to August 2026 in Denver
We’re in the thick of the summer season! There’s no end to the high temps in sight, so how do you stay cool and keep your sanity? Green c...

Are Denver’s Neglected Buildings Being Exploited for Profit?
You know that busted old, abandoned home down the block? City officials revamped the regulations around these neglected properties last y...

The Data Center Being Built in Elyria-Swansea is Getting Loud
The CoreSite data center in Elyria-Swansea is nearly complete, and some skeptical neighbors are already starting to see their concerns ma...

Is Utah Luring One of Denver's Biggest Companies? Plus, a Huge City Council Shake-Up and the Science of 4AM Bars
Denverites will vote in both a special election in November and municipal election in April as at-large councilmember Sarah Parady steps...

City Cast vs. Denverite: Who Knows Colfax Best?
Colfax Avenue is undoubtedly one of Denver’s most infamous and storied streets. It’s got so much gritty charm that it’s practically a rit...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: The Trick to Getting People To Volunteer — Presented By City Cast Denver
It’s not a given that every Denverite will chip in to help their community. In this episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with writer...

How Denver Chefs Are Changing Our Mexican Food Scene
For a long time, Mexican food in Denver was seen as an unchangeable, untouchable cuisine. While Den-Mex is still king, local chefs are br...

Are Mayor Mike’s Big New Promises Enough to Win Him Reelection? Plus, Coloradans Think This Place is Pretty OK!
On Tuesday night, Mayor Mike Johnston delivered his annual State of the City address, which included a pilot program for universal childc...

