Sloan’s Lake Tap and Burger is officially opening its doors this week in Denver and is guaranteed to be a local favorite for the neighborhood, as well as non-neighborhood residents.
Sloan’s Lake Tap and Burger features a unique and open plan space with an island tap bar at its center that includes 30 draft handles in a custom draft tower and about 80 beers total. They focus on local craft beer but also incorporate out of state handles that are chosen based on deliberate formed relationships.
The menu includes burger favorites, known to the public from the restaurant’s sister company, Highlands Tap and Burger, such as the Shroom Luva’s burger that won the ‘Best Burger in the USA’ award, as well as unique offerings such as BBQ food plates with a variety of meat options and Southern dishes such as the Puerto Rican gumbo, that was chosen from some childhood memories of Juan Padro, Managing Partner of Sloan’s Lake Tap and Burger.
We sat down with Juan Padro to learn more about Sloan’s Lake Tap and Burger.
Q: How long has it taken to get Sloan’s Lake Tap and Burger to fruition?
A: “The project has been in motion for about a year. We were working with Venture Architecture on mocking up the space to see if we could come up with a new cool modern look.”
Q: Why did you choose the Sloan’s Lake neighborhood?
A: “Sloans Lake made a lot of sense. We live in North Denver, have businesses in North Denver and have a relationship with the communities in LoHi and West Highland as well as Tennyson and Sloan’s. The opportunity to be the first place to open in a really exciting development project was too much to pass up. And we feel a strong sense of responsibility to make sure that we listen and fit into a community that is welcoming us in. It’ll be a true neighborhood collaboration. And we specifically want to represent the diversity of this neighborhood and embrace responsible gentrification.”
Q: Tell us more about the space and what people can expect…
A: “We have a great open concept with an island bar that seats 48, it’s incredible. The energy is electric. We also have 23 TV’s for game watches and private dining options as well as a 60 seat patio. We put accordion doors in to open up the space and give it an indoor and outdoor feel.”
Q: I love your kitchen and how diners can view how their dishes are prepared from a clear glass. Tell us more about it.
A: “Our kitchen is super cool. You can see the team working from the dining area, we love that interaction. We’ve incorporated a lot of Latin flavors on the menu that come from my 78 year old fathers sofrito recipe. He flew out from Puerto Rico to work with the kitchen staff on authenticity. Asopao which is a Puerto Rican gumbo has been the most popular item on the menu thus far! We also have incorporated Colorado style BBQ so we use Bison, lamb and chilies that grow in our region as well as repurpose barrel wood from distilleries and breweries to impart flavor.”
Q: Tell us more about the restaurant’s management…
A: “Nicole Fairhurst is our GM and Owner Operator. She was the GM at Highland Tap and earned a place at the ownership table. Eli Odell is also an owner, the exec chef from Highland Tap. And Toby Prout is our chef de cuisine, he’s amazing. He used to be a Partner in Lena. Chanelle Kawamura is our Bar Manager and has been with us for over 5 years. She is also our beer buyer.” Padro continues “My wife Katie is the CFO of our restaurant group, Tap and Burger concepts and she’s been amazing in managing the financial aspect of the project. Kevin Eddy and Kris Slocum are the other Partners and they run operations and construction management. As for me, you get to see my face a lot and expect a big hug whenever you walk in!”
Sloan’s Lake Tap and Burger will be open to the general public from Labor Day, September 5th, 2016. The restaurant is open Monday through Thursday from 3pm to 12am, Friday from 3pm to 1am, Saturday from 10am to 1am, and Sunday from 10am to 12am.
Sloan’s Lake Tap and Burger is located at 1565 Raleigh St #100, Denver, CO 80204.
For more information and to stay-up-to-date with news and events follow them on Facebook, and their soon to be completed website at: sloanstapandburger.com