The Original
Ballpark, Denver
Restaurant in Denver, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
The Original is a practical Denver daytime pick, better for convenience and flexible groups than for a special-occasion meal. Choose it when timing matters; cross-shop Brutø for a higher-end contemporary experience, ChopHouse & Brewery for a beer-led meal, Rodizio Grill for larger group energy.
About The Original
The Original is in Denver, open daily from 7 AM to 3 PM, has a casual dress code. That makes it easiest to place in a daytime itinerary rather than in an evening dining plan. For details such as cuisine, menu format, pricing, beverage program, service style, reservation requirements, check directly with the venue.
Use the listing as a practical starting point. If the decision depends on a particular menu, dietary accommodation, drinks focus, or special-occasion format, confirm directly with the venue before you go.
Use it as a daytime Denver option
The Original is clearest to recommend when the schedule needs something in Denver during its posted 7 AM–3 PM hours. Compare that with Brutø or another option only after checking current details directly; The Original best fits a daytime, casual stop rather than a detailed claim about the meal itself.
If you are comparing other options such as ChopHouse & Brewery, Call Me Pearl, Ultreia, Rodizio Grill, or Brutø, compare the current menus, hours, booking requirements directly. For The Original, note its Denver location, daily daytime hours, casual dress code.
Who should choose it
Choose The Original when its Denver location and daily 7 AM–3 PM schedule fit your day. For price, cuisine, seating, takeout, delivery, dietary policies, or a drinks program, check the venue directly before making more specific plans.
Planning details
- Location
- 1600 20th St, Denver, CO 80202
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- theogdenver.com
- Phone
- +17207691414
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Original positions itself as a deliberate, second-generation RiNo restaurant that trades the district’s early taproom grit for a more focused culinary presence. It sits on the 20th Street corridor in a building that recalls the neighborhood’s warehouse-conversion roots, so the mood balances industrial bones with contemporary intent. Rather than flashy formality, the place emphasizes kitchen ambition within a neighborhood frame—a modern, trend-aware spot that feels of-the-moment without overt pretension. It reads as part of RiNo’s more considered chapter, attracting diners who appreciate thoughtful cooking anchored in an urban, converted-warehouse setting.
Best For
The Original is best for neighborhood dining occasions that value good cooking without ceremony. Brunch fits naturally—signature breakfast dishes are part of the offering—and the restaurant suits casual meetups for locals, creative professionals and visitors exploring the 20th Street corridor. It occupies that mid-tier band where ambition meets approachability, so it works for people who want refined flavors in a relaxed, urban environment. If you’re looking for a place that reflects RiNo’s evolution from taprooms to restaurant-minded kitchens, The Original delivers a thoughtful, approachable experience.
Ordering Tips
Stick to the signatures called out for a reliable introduction: the OG Breakfast and the Mushroom Frittata are highlighted as standout morning plates. More broadly, expect a menu that favors a la carte, thoughtfully executed dishes rather than prix-fixe formality—the restaurant is described as having real kitchen ambition without committing to tasting-menu structure. Use those cues to order deliberately: pick a couple of composed dishes that showcase the kitchen’s focus, and prioritize the named breakfast items at brunch to get a sense of the place’s culinary point of view.
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm and inviting atmosphere inspired by traditional American diners with playful contemporary touches.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- OG Breakfast
- Mushroom Frittata
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Where to go if this is not the right fit
If the goal is a higher-end contemporary meal, cross-shop Brutø before committing here. If the group is more interested in drinks and a brewery-led setting, ChopHouse & Brewery is the cleaner alternative.
Restaurant context
How The Original compares in Denver
The Original is the low-friction choice in this set: easier to fit into a daytime Denver plan than Brutø, which sits in the $$$$ contemporary lane and makes more sense when the meal is the centerpiece. If value means flexibility rather than culinary ambition, The Original is the safer pick; if value means a more composed experience for a higher spend, Brutø is the better target.
For drinks-led decisions, ChopHouse & Brewery has the clearer beverage identity from the concept alone, while Call Me Pearl is the stronger cross-shop when the group wants more of a bar-room mood. The Original works better when the plan is casual food before the rest of the day, not a night built around cocktails.
For groups, compare it with Rodizio Grill, which is usually the more obvious format for larger, social meals. Ultreia is the better alternative for diners who want a more specific point of view, especially if the meal needs to feel more intentional than convenient.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Original guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Original
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Original | Denver | ; | ; | No published awards |
| Call Me Pearl | Denver | ; | ; | No published awards |
| ChopHouse & Brewery | Denver | ; | ; | No published awards |
| Rodizio Grill | Denver | ; | ; | No published awards |
| Ultreia | Denver | ; | ; | No published awards |
| Brutø | Denver | Contemporary | $$$$ | No published awards |
How The Original Denver compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to The Original?
Keep it casual. The dress code for The Original is casual.
How far ahead should I book The Original?
What time is best at The Original?
The hours are 7 AM to 3 PM every day, so plan within that daytime window rather than for dinner.
What are alternatives to compare with The Original?
Other options to compare include Call Me Pearl, ChopHouse & Brewery, Ultreia, Rodizio Grill, Brutø. Check each venue's current hours, menu, booking details before deciding.
Does The Original handle dietary restrictions?
Contact The Original directly before going if you have allergies or dietary restrictions.
