Guide to Good Eats on Denver's Curtis Street: Sam's No. 3

At the corner of 15^th Avenue and Curtis Street in Denver, stands a monument to the cultural diversity of Denver. Home to the best pork green chili in Denver, Sam's offers an eclectic 8 page menu encompassing Mexican, Greek, American, and yes, Canadian.

Established in 1927, Sam's is one of the few "true" originals left in the melting-pot of an ever-changing city. Their specialties are the comforts of home, no matter where that home might be. But if you might find the eight page menu staggering, here are a few tips to get started.

Sam's serves breakfast all day. If you're feeling especially brave or especially hungry, Mr. Sam's Big Breakfast is covers enough plates to still send you home with leftovers. This $7.95 treat includes three eggs, any style with the breakfast specialty homefries with a choice of ham, four bacon strips, four links or three patties on top of the choice of two slices of French toast, three mini cakes, or two biscuits and gravy.

But this selection is only one item from three pages of skillets, omelets, breakfast burritos and other breakfast standards such as steak and eggs, and corn beef hash and eggs. For those seeking a sweeter selection, an absolute "must-try" is the Naked French Canadian Swiss Melt. Inside two pieces of the house-recipe French toast, you'll find Canadian bacon, Swiss cheese, and two eggs. Served with a side of strawberries and homefries, it offers the sweet and the savory goodness of a Sam's breakfast.

But perhaps you've overcome the urge for Mr. Sam's Big Breakfast, or "Momma's Big Fat Omelet" just isn't your style, then it's time to move onto page five where the appetizers start and the serious choices begin. Choices such as, would you like your pork green chili by the cup or by the gallon? The menu that starts here is essentially the original menu that Mr. Sam established his restaurant with more than 75 years ago. Here you'll find classic Coney Island treats that you would have never guessed made it outside of New York. You'll find yourself pinching your arm when you rediscover the delights of the Haystack bowl, the Coney Dog-but the ultimate is a delicacy as none of Coney Island has ever seen: the Curtis Hamburger Steak. This is how Mr. Sam does main dishes: a half-pound chuck covered in Sam's signature red chili and cheddar cheese, served with homefries, tomato slices, pickles and Texas toast.

Oh yes, you're in heaven. But you're only halfway through the menu.

The next page finds us at Sandwiches, a lighter, if not healthier assortment of the inner-workings of culinary genius. With fish and chips at the very top to taunt you, peruse such delights as Hot Beef, Meatloaf Melt, or the Gyro Sandwich. A newer item offered is the Colorado Cheez Steak, served in a pita with jack cheese, sautéed onions, tomato and avocado.

If you must eat light, the next page offers salads which are no less enticing than the Haystacks. The Taco salad rates especially high. The Greek dinners follow the salad selection for the especially big eaters-"My Big Fat Greek Plate," covers all the bases by offering a gyro with pork and chicken souvlaki and lamb chops.

What is printed on the back of the menu, few are prepared for. The Mexican tastes at Sam's provide a wide variety of flavors as well as the option of building your own combo. For the two and three combo platters, customers have the following choices: mini beef burrito, mini combo burrito, beef enchilada, cheese enchilada, beef tostada, bean tostada, guacamole tostada, chili relleno or a crunchy beef taco. For those looking to share a plate, Sam's also offers steaming fajitas built for two.

When you've finally reached the end of the menu, it might be time to order or go through your options again. But no matter what dish lands on your table, you're guaranteed a filling meal in a friendly atmosphere with choices that just might take you home to make you feel at home in Denver.

Happy Eating!