City Cast Denver logo
November 13, 2025

Pete's University Cafe Closed This Weekend. What is Denver Without Diners?

City Cast Denver

Pete's University Cafe Closed This Weekend. What is Denver Without Diners?

00:00:00
View all City Cast Denver episodes

On November 9, Pete’s University Park Cafe served up its last heaping plates of chicken fried steak and souvlaki and eggs, marking the end for yet another beloved diner. With its closure, Denver not only lost an affordable eatery, but a gathering place and community space that served the Mile High for 30 years. So, what is Denver without its diners? Last year host Bree Davies sat down with her friend, poet and educator Suzi Q. Smith, to talk about these losses and discuss the deep feelings Suzi explores in her ⁠Denverse Magazine essay “Toast World: Where Have All the Diners Gone?”⁠


Oh, and be sure to grab a ticket to our first-ever The Denver-est Denver Awards, presented by our friends at Denver Health! You’re cordially invited to attend a fancy holiday party slash formal awards show celebrating the very best of Denver on Dec. 18 at The Oriental Theater. City Cast Denver Neighbors will have received a discount code in the inbox, but everyone can buy tickets now! And we need your help picking the winners, too! Nominate your faves in our six big categories!


For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at ⁠denver.citycast.fm⁠.


Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@citycastdenver⁠

Chat with other listeners on reddit: ⁠r/CityCastDenver⁠

Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: ⁠membership.citycast.fm⁠


What do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418


If you enjoyed the interview with Dr. Eric Doringer from Blue Sky CBD, ⁠learn more here.⁠ Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER to receive 30% off.


Learn more about the sponsors of this November 13 episode:

Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at⁠ citycast.fm/

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Denver

Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
September 14

Will Denverites Move Downtown For This Developer's Utopian Dream?

While office vacancies remain high downtown, one developer thinks this excess of commercial real estate could be better used as housing....

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
September 13

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Las Vegas Is Handling Record-Breaking Heat — Presented By City Cast Denver

It may not feel like it right now, but extreme heat is coming for Denver, and Las Vegas might have the answers you need. An already sizzl...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
September 11

Anti-Trans Hysteria Coming to Your Ballots, Victor Marx's AI Fail, and No Comedy Fest This Year

Ballots will be in the mail in less than a month, and there are a lot of initiatives for voters to consider – including Proposition 134,...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
September 10

Who's Ready for Another Mayor's Race? Plus, a DPS Phone Ban Mega-Mailbag

Mayor Mike Johnston officially rolled out his campaign for reelection earlier this week with a big party at Town Hall Collaborative and a...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
September 9

10 Years in Prison for Manipulating More Than a Thousand DNA Investigations

After pleading guilty to four felonies in June, a Jefferson County judge sentenced former Colorado Bureau of Investigation scientist Yvon...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
September 8

The Aurora Report: New Data Center Regulations, a Massive 'Teen Takeover,' and City Council Hijinx

What’s up in Aurora lately? Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman has been taking a new and low-key approach to homelessness; data center regulations...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
September 6

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Nashville Is Beating Flock — Presented By City Cast Denver

Do you know what kind of surveillance technology is being used in Denver? In Nashville, the city government has blocked numerous measures...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
September 4

De-Gooping Sloan's Lake, Going Viral in Denver, and Water Narcs: Data Center Edition

Denver is finally getting serious about saving Sloan’s Lake, with Mayor Johnston announcing Wednesday a new $50 million proposal to dredg...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
September 3

Previewing Friday’s Anti-ICE Walkout, a Creepy New Meme, and 'Governor for a Day'

With school starting and phone bans going in effect, kids in Colorado already have a lot on their plates this fall. Over 160 schools acro...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
September 2

Will a Lawn-Watering Ban Make a Dent? Plus, In-N-Out's Latest Traffic Jam and Waymos Unleashed!

Starting October 1st, Denverites are officially banned from watering their lawns, despite threats of fines and restrictions already being...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art