Description
Over the past few years, Denver's booming burger business has included everything from new joints trying to re-create the classic burger to restaurants so redesigning the burger that it's sometimes no longer recognizable. And then there are the spots that fall somewhere in the middle, rethinking this American icon while still celebrating it. Highland Tap and Burger, which opened in the old Aztec Sol location in September 2010, is one of those. The very cleaned-up space still feels like a tavern, thanks to a massive bar outfitted with TVs, high tables in the rest of the dark space, a sprawling and unceremoniously furnished patio, and the casual, seat-yourself attitude of the staffers, who are friendly and prompt but behave more like sports-bar employees than restaurant servers. The drink offerings emphasize Highland's tavern identity, too, with taps that feature an interesting and well-rounded run of mostly Colorado beers (though one line is always reserved for an out-of-state guest selection). But the partners behind Highland Tap recognize the importance of food at their place, too, and applied a fine-dining sensibility to a pub-like menu. The result is a board that focuses on burgers and other typical bar-food items -- but burgers and bar-food items that taste much better than those at your typical bar.
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