Just moved into the neighborhood and we decided to try this Cafe as I have been driving past it for years! Prices are great, staff was friendly, and the food was great!! I would classify it as my comfort food stop in the future! Woohoo! Glad I stopped in!
(4)
Adam B.
Pete's is always quality. The coffee refills could come a little faster, but it wouldn't keep me away.
(4)
Dana M.
Pete's is the epitome' of the diner experience. Good food, good staff. I have no complaints about this place. The food came quickly, my glass stayed full, the food was hot and good. The only reason Im ranking Pete's as a 4 and not a 5 is the lack of wifi. Other than that, a great experience. Will definitely be returning!
Darn good iced tea. Strong. Fresh brewed. Refreshing. One can tell a lot about a business by it's iced tea. And biscuits and gravy. Pete's University Park Cafe upholds the high standards of the whole Pete's local franchise. This cafe is located near Denver University, at the corner of Evans and University. It has a wide variety of foods from Greek to breakfast to Mexican to vegetarian so everyone from children to students to older folks can find something deliciously edible. Coffee mugs and hot sauces, like the other Pete's businesses, are available for purchase. Support local businesses. You'll be glad you did.
(4)
Aimee L.
I like Pete's well enough. I have been eating here off and on for years. The food is always good, the service is hit or miss. The reason for the 3 stars is that it doesn't always feel clean. I hadn't eaten there in at least a year for that reason. I know it is near a college campus but that is no excuse not to wipe tables and mop floors. I will say they have the BEST Greek salad I've ever had, which makes me a little sad that I don't want to eat there regularly. Oh well, it has been around so long it is an institution.
(3)
Deana K.
Everything here is wayyyy over cooked. Despite being dry, the Greek food is okay if you put extra tzatziki sauce on it. The breakfast is the worst food I've ever had. Ever. Everything was leathery, especially the croissant and eggs. Even my son's grilled cheese was awful. the croissant, fries and hash browns all tasted exactly like each other. Also, every time we've gone (once a year) the staff acts very disappointed and annoyed we are there, even when we are just popping in for a pick up order. I don't know how this place stays in business.
(1)
Sasha L.
Great local spot! There is actually a parking lot, rare find for the area. Unfortunately when it is at capacity in the restaurant the waiting area is very small/not accommodating, because you have to stand there with your group, in order, there is no host taking names. The menu is a good size and good prices. I have tried the eggs benedict, gyro skillet, croissant sandwich, breakfast burritos, turkey melt, and my favorite is the eggs mazatlan! All meals are in the neighborhood of/under $10, great value. I tend to go here on weekend mornings, mildly hungover, and I leave cured! However, I wouldn't bother ordering alcoholic drinks here. My bloody mary sucked. The service is consistent. There is a cute guy with tats, a woman with dark hair, and a girl with hipster glasses. They do the best they can, I think sometimes their sections are too full, I also think their outdated systems might make their jobs harder (old cash register, everything hand written). Highly recommend! Random fun fact: The owner Pete has a cool story, he came here from Greece as a teenager, for a little while he was an underwear model, at some point met the woman of his dreams. She told him if they were going to be together he would have to stop modeling underwear. He did so, they are still together to this day. He gradually worked his way up from dishwasher to multi-restaurant owner. He has several other locations all over Denver, all of which I have been to, all of which are good. Such a great guy, very involved with the community, a passionate individual and proof the American Dream is still alive!
(4)
J. Todd F.
For those of us that love a good diner, this is it! I've always had great food here, and the staff is very nice. I sit at the bar and my food is delivered pretty quickly, and still pipping hot. I love their breakfast burrito, of course smothered in Pork Green Chili, and find it to be more than I can eat at one sitting (and I can eat). I'd definitely recommend you go check this place out.
(4)
Nicole S.
A bit of a wait for a party of six, but that's to be expected at any restaurant (and beats the hour wait at Jelly down the street). We loved the round table by the window at the back of the restaurant--plenty of room and just enough privacy to not be bothered by the hustle and bustle of the busboys and waiters. Loved that I could get a 1/2 order of the biscuits and gravy and really only be charged for half an order. The stuffed french toast turned out to be a mountain of crisped bread, cream cheese, and cinnamon apples, which was fine with me. My husband gave me the rest (1/3 of his meal), and it was great. My only regret was eating too much!
(4)
Greg G.
poor service go there all the time was there this week bad service won't go again
(1)
Theresa S.
Okay food ( extremely big portions but you can tell the quality of food isn't there. The service isn't that great either.
(3)
Jennifer W.
I only get takeout from here and it is always good. Sometimes i have to call a few times before anybody answers.
(4)
Alice G.
Been coming here for 20 years for breakfast! Best place near DU! Thank you Petes for the years of delicious gyros and egg platters, great booths, consistent waitresses, and easiness on the old wallet! Feels like home!
(5)
William H.
I had the gyros skillet and it was great great portions are large and fill you up and waitress was very nice and took care of us the whole time we were dining.
(5)
Manny R.
Good basic diner breakfast with decent coffee and quick friendly service. The hash browns are tasty and the bacon is good and you get four slices per order. A Denver institution for sure!
(3)
Natalie B.
I went in early to study and have breakfast. There was hardly anyone in the restaurant but I was told that I couldn't stay if it got busy. Was treated poorly while there because the waitress was upset that I was taking up a table even though there was no one else in the restaurant. I had to ask for coffee refills and the food wasn't that great. I will not return to this establishment based on the way that I was treated.
(1)
Rebecca R.
We've driven by this place many times and finally decided to try it. I LIKED IT! I got the gyro meat, it was as good as it gets. I can't wait to try their other items. The decor is dated and it has kind of an "old" feel, but I didn't mind. The food and service were great. Reasonable prices.
(4)
H L.
Wish I would have tried this sooner! I have lived walking distance to this place for two years, but always ended up going somewhere else with better reviews. Well, I have been missing out! My friend and I ordered the "Pete's Grecian Platter" because we were both craving salad AND gyro meat. Well omfg, the platter was eNORMous! It was enough to feed four people- piles of gyro, slouvaki (pork) and chicken. Seriously- I took the leftovers home and had it for lunch for two days!! My other friend had the breakfast burrito and I was surprised that the Colorado green chili was good spicy hot since we were at a Greek place (just as you wouldn't expect Greek food to be good at a Mexican place). Great Greek familia service too. Parking is a beatch, but so is everywhere downtown, so just deal with it.
(4)
Matthew C.
I don't understand why so many Greeks own American style deli restaurants. All I know is that the Farmers omelet is amazing and makes me a happy person. The service is usually quick, and there is an eclectic mix of customers from undergrads to retirees who hang out here. And the desserts are huge and yummy - and that's what makes them so dangerous.
(4)
Tif D.
Typical greasy spoon in a high rent area. Expect your bill to reflect that. If you absolutely must have a Diner experience while on DU campus, Pete's has got you covered.
(3)
Alex W.
This place is really terrible. The food was gross, the service wasn't great, and to top it off when one of my friends used a swear word, in a place that's almost completely empty, the manager/owner decided the appropriate action would be TO CALL THE COPS. We are all professionals in our 30s having dinner! No one came over and said anything to us they waited in the back after delivering the drinks and waited to get our order until after the policewoman came and in a very confused demeanor said "someone" reported us for disturbing the restaurant. At the end of the meal with hostile service, my friend once again said "shit man we have to hang out more" and that's when the manager reprimanded *me* saying "This isn't a bar!" At which point we put everything together. How this place is still open in a college town is way beyond me.
(1)
Rogelio G.
Good food. Always used to order the the Grecian platter even when I was alone cause it's so much food you can pretty much eat that the whole week. Ahhh....being single.
(3)
Hannah I.
It's fine. I like the feel of a diner, and its menu reminds me of a Greek-American diner in Atlanta I used to go to, but the food has always been just what three stars means, A-OK. I never leave disappointed, but I never leave feeling like it was a great value, either. I live very near, and honestly, we don't think to come here very much. The exception would be that they have a good early bird breakfast if you want basic breakfast- eggs, potatoes, meat.
(3)
Amber H.
Great service! Excellent food!! The chef's special and the breakfast burrito were on point! Along with the mimosas!! Definitely will be going back.
(5)
Mark O.
I really, really, want to like this place. The service is always courteous and prompt. However, the food is inconsistent at best. I've dined in and I've carried out. Twice, the gyros have been cooked to perfection--tender and soft. Two other times, the gyros have been burnt, overcooked, and taste as if they've been under a warmer for a long time. The staff is good at fulfilling special requests--they've never gotten an order wrong. But the inconsistency is puzzling--you shouldn't have to guess which cook is in the kitchen which day.
(3)
Amy M.
I found myself a little underwhelmed with Pete's. I ordered the cheese omelet with home fries. The omelet had a piece of yellow American cheese melted on top and the homefries were cold. We saw the waitress only 2 x. When she took our order and brought our food. No check back and the hostess delievered the bill. Add to that the obnoxious ( f bombs being dropped) college students at the next table and I was more then ready to exit.
(3)
Joe J.
We tried Pete's this last weekend on the suggestion of a couple friends. The atmosphere is pretty fun. Its a cool college cafe. I tried their mushroom burger. I asked for no tomato, no onion, no pickle, but i got them all. The mushrooms are sauteed with even more onions, and I got those as well and they weren't cooked fully. So, I had soggy mushrooms, undercooked onions, fresh onions, fresh tomato, and pickle all of which didn't start the meal out well. The burger was huge and delicious in general once I'd taken off the onions. The fries were piping hot and decent, but not great. The service was extremely fast. It was like they were trying to impress us with how fast they were going. Unfortunately, I think their speed contributed to the mistakes on the meal. At a high price restaurant I would have just sent the meal back and asked for it correctly. But, I didn't want to be a jerk and I just ate what I got. Mistake. The food stayed in me about as long as it took to eat it. Overall, my impression: Meh. I've had alot better. I won't take any of my friends there and I don't recommend you do either. There are better options.
(2)
Kurt J.
The short and skinny: This place is just fine. It's nothing fancy, a bit outdated, but the food is very reasonably priced, comes in generous portions, and you'll never regret coming here. It's just a good place for a nice casual meal. I used to live half a mile away and came in frequently in 5+ years of living in the neighborhood, and I kinda miss the place! I still do lunch here when I can, the gyros plate and the club sandwich are pretty fool-proof and always tasty. The waitstaff is hit-and-miss, like any other inexpensive diner, it just depends what day it is. But, you'll NEVER wait an obscene amount of time for your food and in probably 80 visits as a customer here, they never botched my order - that's worth something! Anyone can do a cheeseburger, but Pete's has one called "Dean's Special" which is a full one-pound DOUBLE bacon cheeseburger cooker to order. It is awesome! I'm surprised they don't make you sign a waiver or pop a Bayer before eating one. OK, so it's not Del Frisco's, but if you just want a nice place to sit down and get a hearty, tasty meal for eight or ten bucks, Pete's can do no wrong!
(4)
Katie R.
After sipping on bloody mary's & mimosas during the boyfriends hockey game [he plays in an adult league at DU!] and witnessing a win [yay!] the fellow wives/girlfriends and teammates decided going to brunch would be a great way to celebrate an 8am win....and they were right! Although small, the interior is quite spacious and fit our table of 10 comfortably in the back. Water, coffee and juice arrived quickly before deciding on our yummy breakfast dishes. I chose the Greek Veggie Omlette, which was loaded with greek olives, feta cheese, green peppers and onions, topped with an over easy egg [perfect for soaking up the hash browns!] with a pita on the side. WOW! words can no describe how good it was :) Service? Not bad at all :) quick, friendly and they even allowed us to catch the start of the Blackhawks game with a request to change the channel! Staff is very helpful in suggesting food and always had a smile on their faces! Prices? Cheap. Affordable. Great :) Atmosphere? Very college chic and homey. The company? even better :)
(4)
Natalie G.
I've been coming here, traditionally for my before the Furry Scurry breakfast for years. I brought in some first timers this year. While my over medium eggs were cooked to perfection (and oddly difficult thing to accomplish in metro Denver), the complaints on the scrambled surprised me. Two of our diners had the scrambled eggs, and they were overcooked, making them flat and burned. They do their hash browns like a country potato, which I find quite tasty, and the bacon and bread, well, it's hard to screw that up. Service is amazingly quick, and staff is friendly enough.
(3)
Tommy S.
My buddy loves this place. Compared to some of the other Pete's it's good but not the same. It just doesn't have that Colfax feel. The food is the same but something just feels different. I can't figure it out?!?!?!?
(3)
Scott L.
Oh yeah....breakfast burrito baby! Get it and don't think about how many calories you are eating....
(4)
Mariko Y.
As soon as you enter they have a sign stating that all of your party must be present before you are seated. 99% of time, they will follow this rule. I think that if they were constantly busy it would work, but if there are 8 open tables and it's mid morning it seems a little aggressive. As for the food, it's all right. I don't think that there's anything to note. I think the food might be better than the service, which is sad.
(3)
Lee C.
Not really sure what's so great about this place. Went there on recommendations here and some of you must have very low expectations. Food was meh, nothing spectacular. Had a skillet which was kinda small and eggs nearly burnt. They resembled something I would have microwaved out of the freezer. The french toast appeared to be ok but upon further inspection looked and tasted like it was reheated from the night before. The thing that really frosts my butt was the syrup was brown colored water. Now, if you're going to a cheap greek restaurant you expect a little thinning, but this was by far the worst job I've ever seen. And try to find a server after you get your food, it's near impossible. And it wasn't busy, there was like 5 tables and they're all running around like chicken's with their head's cut off for what reason I do not understand. Crappy service, mediocre food and prices suck for what you get. Too many other places to go that get it right to even go back. Made me miss Chicago for the first time since I've moved here.
(2)
Richard P.
Love Petes! Just like the original with the same hospitality you'd expect on Colfax (maybe nicer!)
(4)
Faisal A.
The food is ok, but the services is THE WORST EVER. I live near by the area so some times I drop by for a lunch or a breakfast and everytime I found the service is even worse than its been before
(1)
Nicholas P.
The wait staff here is very friendly, however my issue with Pete's is that they no longer accept Debt or Credit cards and this creates a hassle as you have to remember to bring cash before you come. Also their menu is not really geared toward students. At least middle to working class students as most of their fair while under ten dollars will usually run you 7-8 dollars. There is nothing wrong with Pete's pricing it is just that it seems to have the facade that it is a less expensive establishment (also its food is mediocre, that is why I am giving it such a low score). Though I have issues with Pete's it does seem to have relatively inexpensive Early Bird Specials.
(2)
Matt C.
Good ole Greek diner. You take the man out of New Jersey, but you can't take the New Jersey out of the man. And you can say a lot about my beloved Garden State, but you can't say that we don't know our diners. Food is always good, even if its nothing fancy. The service is quick and very friendly. And they're always ready to refill your coffee mug.
(4)
Mick D.
A great, cheap eatery in a near-University setting. I had the breakfast burrito with gyro meat. Absolutely fantastic. It was too big to finish. Service was fast. Prices are very reasonable.
(4)
Patrick M.
What can I say bad about my delicious Gyro sandwich? Nothing. It was delightful, perfectly piled high with gyro meat. I had to fork some off it to start gyro inhalation. Topped with chopped tomatoes and onion. Great flavor, it hit the spot. To my dismay saginaki is not served at this location.
(4)
Rick J.
Difficult to believe this place is associated with Pete's Kitchen on E. Colfax. I have been to this location 6 times for breakfast in the last 2 years-the service gets worse each time. Same ol servers and manager,lousey attitudes,lazy, and could care less about their customers. The little twirp at the front enterance is more interested in eating his own breakfast than helping the most lazy of servers-don't cross them,they will flat ignore you. Get your own coffee really ticks them off-serve me and I will stay seated! The food is really good just bad service and attitudes.Perhaps the owner can send some under cover customers and find out for himself.The generous tipper I am-to bad they want it,not earn it! Rick J.
(2)
Jen W.
I love a greasy spoon and Pete's did not disappoint - my go to diner meal is always bacon and eggs with a side of sourdough- a meal that is hard to get wrong. I liked the atmosphere and there was a mix of characters that only added to the ambiance - for a brief moment I felt I was back at an east coast diner. Bonus - they have an off street parking lot.
(3)
Emily J.
Having gone to school at DU, I have spent many a hungover morning at Pete's scarfing down a Greek omelette smothered in the greasy goodness that is gyro. I love this place. It is like the restaurant in "Seinfeld", you never know who you're going to see and you never know how surly your server may be. Questionable service aside, Pete's is always efficient and the food is always hot and delicious. If you're looking for a substantial, hearty, stick to your ribs breakfast or brunch look no further than Pete's. I have been here for lunch a few times and they have great sandwiches and salads as well. I love the Greek veggie wrap; a fresh pita wrapped around veggie goodness with taziki and fries, delicious! Even though I've graduated, this place is still one of my old-time standbys. It's good, dependable, and never fails for people watching.
(4)
Barb B.
Pete's has a special place in my heart because my brother really likes it so I often meet him there for brinner. And one thing that is awesome about Pete's is that you can get breakfast foods all throughout the day, and as everyone knows, breakfast is the best meal. Does Pete's have the best breakfast in town? In a word, no. Not remotely. But I've never had anything terrible there, and it is consistent - consistently fairly tasty, quite greasy, which is always good, and you don't have to wait. And they have pie, so you can have breakfast and then have dessert. The pie is definitely nothing to write home about but its existence is enough. You could definitely do much worse for diner food. Thanks for being a special place for me and my bro, Pete's!!
(3)
Bill K.
Pete, you need to come down to see how badly this location has fallen. It is very clear that over the past few years management has let this place go under the radar of the other better 'Pete's' restaurants in the chain. Not only is the service simply the worst in Denver, the food is not what it used to be and is no longer even CLOSE to being the best Greek/diner food on University let alone Denver. I used to love this place but surly obnoxious wait staff just does not cut it for me. Go to Tzatziki's a couple miles away on Colorado Blvd. and get some real Greek food. This place lives off it's location near DU and late night hours on weekends. Save your money and go elsewhere, this place needs help!
(2)
Dylan L.
There's a lot to love about Pete's. That diner feel, it being in a university area, being able to go there late night for breakfast, greek beer... A few gripes I have (sometimes) with Pete's: -Service is very hit or mess. Sometimes I'll have a great server who is attentive and all; sometimes I'll only see my waiter when I order and why they bring the food, no checkups or refills or whatever. -The food sometimes takes longer than it should. -I've received my food cold sometimes, making me wonder if it just sits at the counter for minutes before being picked up. Still, I love Pete's for their delicious breakfast that's served all day and the almost "atmosphere" of the place. And since I live 2 blocks away, I'll keep going back!
(3)
Brittany H.
On a whim, Lisa H and I changed our Saturday morning routine of French pastries and decided to pop into Pete's for a warm, heart-clogging breakfast. We must've got here just in time before the hungover college students and the regular breakfast crowd meandered in because the place was nearly empty. But within 20 minutes, Pete's was rockin'. We were waited on quickly and served up just as fast. I opted for the Chef's Pancake special, which was oh-so tasty: 2 pancakes, 4 pieces of bacon, your choice of eggs, and some hashbrowns. For less than $8, this was a deal! So much food, I couldn't eat it all. But I certainly tried. Lisa had some sort of bacon-y skillet, which looked amazing as well. Good home cooked-style food (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drunk o'clock food) served in the friendly Pete's atmosphere that we've all come to love and enjoy in Denver. Yes, Pete's I'll be back for breakfast for sure.
(3)
Kristen P.
This is a great lunch spot. Been in here twice and it is easy to get a table. The food is great diner food, pretty fast service and they also have some vegetarian options.
(4)
Darlene H.
It's like VI without the standards. And I thought that would be hard to say. The quality of the food is the same as The Breakfast King...but the demographic isn't as interesting--and isn't that why all have gone there? Good thing Pete has a college crowd. If I was 20s and hung over, this would hit the spot, so I give it 3 starssssssss
(3)
Heidi S.
This is an interesting place. DU students, older neighborhood folks and semi-shady characters making deals. OK, that last part is just my imagination but there are always two swarmy-men conversing over gyros and holding their hands as if an invisible cigarette hovered there, now the food.... It is what it is. Every bad thing you can imagine to ingest is here, blah. The breakfast burrito is mostly potatoes and the presentation is the same as a Denny's for any dish. The staff invented the art of serving food without a care, they are crusty and if you get a young server, they are usually distracted by other young people and tend to focus on the emos. Meh. There are better options even for starving DU students -and yes, not all DU students are loaded. So there.
(2)
David C.
This location of the Pete's empire is famous for their all-day, all-kinds-of-everything menu, and being right next to DU, I've eaten here a number of times. I usually opt for something Greek, since I enjoy most of their gyro or lamb or souvlaki dishes, and of course everyone goes for the avgolemono soup. But they also have a huge amount of non-Greek dishes, so if you want a club sandwich or chicken tenders or something like that, you're covered here too. That makes Pete's a good place to go when everyone is in the mood for something different, since you all don't necessarily have to agree. Service can occasionally be a little slow, but most of the time it's not a problem. This is a staple of the neighborhood and I imagine it will keep serving up all the classics for years to come.
(3)
Trevor K.
Pete's is a simple Greek American diner close to my house. The food is decent and the staff including the manager/co-owner is very friendly! If your looking for a simple breakfast or lunch I recommend University Cafe.
(4)
Teresa W.
Food was alright. My husband had the gyro meal and said it was fabulous. I had the chicken tenders meal and it was ok. I'd probably go back and order something else instead. The waitress was nice- although I think they forgot my dinner roll- not that I need the extra calories. I think breakfast is where it's at for this place.
(3)
Allie R.
The service here isn't always great, and sometimes the waiters aren't as laid back as they should be but its close to my house and is consistently good. Service is usually fast too.They also have homemade soups daily which is always a plus in my book. The greek food is good and all their American food is good as well. I would have to say my favorite thing is the chicken sandwich but the breakfast is good too and prices are reasonable.
(3)
Katie L.
I came here a little sauced up and had veggie eggs bene. I seemed to think they were delicious because I came back a few weeks later. Christmas eve I ordered the croissant scramble w gyros. Bad move. I was expecting the gyros to be all crispy and delicious but they were pretty low brow and I picked them all out. I think someone else mentioned that the "hasbrowns" are not browned, crispy, and delicious as hashbrowns are meant to be. The bf had a burger and fries. The fries were really overdone and soggy. This place is not very good with potatoes. It's moderately cheap and open when most things are closed. Most importantly they start serving booze at 7am
(3)
Amy W.
I like it! The service isn't always the best, but the food is. Amazing if you want a "greasy spoon" type place to satisfy late-night or early morning cravings - or anything in between. A huge variety of menu items, most under $10. The gyros omelet and hashbrowns were particularly good.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
I used to go here often when I lived in the area...and had fond memories, so I met a girlfriend there for lunch as she still lives nearby. Service good. Food good. It would have been a solid 4 except that one of the employees was wandering around the dinning room on the phone screaming at someone. My friend said that is pretty normal now. Normal? I think the late night bar crowd is less noisy. I'm certainly going to go back with hopes that an updated review will be a 4.
(3)
Max G.
Came to Pete's on a Saturday night. I had to ask four times for a drink before they brought it to me. I was over half way done with my meal. After our meal was over we waited 30 minutes for them to drop the check. And when my girl friend went to the cash register to pay. She got nothing but attitude from the lady running it. The wait staff and the manager were all rude to us. I'm sorry we look like university students. We are not, we both have great paying jobs and love leaving tips.
(1)
Kate M.
Pete's is your typical greasy spoon joint. Steak 'n' eggs, Denver Skillet, Greek omelet, you name it, they've got it and if they don't, they'll probably make it. I agree the service can be sketchy, but it's a part of the atmosphere. Sit at the counter and you can take the whole experience in. One of the waitresses is constantly pissed off while everyone pretty much nods their heads and laughs. All in all, good cheap grub when you're starved, hungover or just need to be entertained.
(4)
Melissa J.
I've been to several of the Pete's and sometimes it's ok and sometimes it's awful. This morning I left unhappy. Granted it was a busy Snday morning. I got the eggs Mazatlan and it came cold with unappetizingly soggy, uncrispy potatoes. The green chili was pink and lumpy. My husband got the corn beef hash and thought it was alright. The waitress never refilled our coffee, water, or brought us more half and half. We finally had to flag down the busboy. In the past I've had better luck with their gyro meat, hamburgers, and chicken fried steak. But it's definitely not my first choice for breakfast.
(2)
Chilly W.
Nothing fancy, but they are consistent and have great prices. If you are in the area and need a quick lunch then give it a shot. Everything from Gyro's to hot beef sandwiches (for the country lovers).
(4)
EB B.
Been going here for years
(5)
Jo B.
My husband and I ate dinner tonight and it has really gone down hill. The chicken strips were obviously frozen, the vegetables were soggy and gross, the baked potato was as well. The whole restaurant is dirty and dated. We mainly have eaten breakfast there and the last couple if times it also was not up to par...we complained to our waitress last time but did not bother to complain this time. I just do not think they care.
(1)
Mikki J.
We waited for almost half an hour for three simple dishes when there's just two other customers are dining. Their food is okay with a huge serving (not sure if a plus or minus) with almost half of my food in the to-go box when I'm super full. The waiters are a little bit chatty which might be why our service was so slow. But not my favorite place to dine on DU's campus.
(3)
David S.
This place isn't that bad, but you can do way better. On weekend mornings it's incredibly crowded with very little wait room, so be prepared. Not that I'd know why you would want to go here for breakfast except for proximity--the dishes are usually fairly bland for breakfast (I don't even think the hash browns get seasoned honestly), and while the portions are alright I've never really wanted to finish a dish. As for lunch and dinner, it fares a bit better. The crowd lightens up, everything served is average to slightly above, and the collegiate wait staff gets a lot less stressed out and harebrained. I'd maybe recommend it for the DU staple it is, but definitely not for breakfast (which is what everybody else seems to think it is).
(2)
Aaron A.
If you've Yelped Denver eateries more than once, you're probably already familiar with the Pete's dynasty of restaurants in the area. Pete's UPC is the second establishment bearing his name that I've tried, after my tried and true Colfax staple, Pete's Kitchen. Well, I'll let you in on a little secret about something that gives this southside hangout a leg up on most other breakfast nooks in the metro: Stuffed. French. Toast. Oh hell yes. When it comes to the cream cheese filling and apple topping, Pete's University Park is doing it, doing it and doing it well (I represent East but I'll graze out near DU). They've got plenty more on the menu, but getting me to play the field once I've found my ambrosia of choice at a diner is an exercise in futility. Prices are decent, but the server I happened to have on the recent visit was, though very attentive and helpful, rather quiet and robotic in trips to my table. Put on a happy face!
(4)
Hubert H.
"We would like a booth" "Then you'll have to wait 5 minutes" (We sit.) "Hold on, let us wipe it up first" Probably not the most enlightened exchange between patron and wait staff, but hey it's a diner what do you expect? Basic breakfast place, and really packed on Sundays with university types, students and professors, possibly some locals. The cheeseburger took a bit longer than the other dishes ordered by colleagues (I can't remember the names at the moment), but hey it's a diner, what do you expect? The kind of place I felt like being interviewed by NPR about "my greatest concerns." Sorry about all the irony. Really, it's a nice decent morning grill.
(4)
Kendra L.
Pete's University Cafe is one consonant away from Meh, so... "Eh." (In my mind, "Eh" is slightly better than "Meh.") Which means: I am still searching for a 5 star establishment in the DU area. Sigh. Friend asked if I like Mediterranean food and received an immediate affirmative. I guess I'm used to a bit more authenticity when it comes to Greek food. (I am still mourning the loss of Englewood's South Central II. Sigh again.) It was fine. Edible. Not gross. I ordered the Greek vegetarian omelet (egg whites, as usual). The feta was an appealing factor in my decision making process (as though I would have actually ordered something besides my usual egg white vegetarian omelet at a breakfast establishment). Unfortunately, the feta didn't taste like feta. It tasted more like crumbly cardboard. And yes, for some reason, I know what cardboard tastes like. Munchkin ordered scrambled eggs and bacon, and although I told him, "No snacks unless you eat your eggs", I felt bad for forcing the issue - they didn't look appetizing. I don't blame the kiddo for playing Food Shuffle Board with them. Since I do try to conclude on a positive note if possible, I will add that the service was decent. He was cordial, kept water glasses full and our food arrived in a timely manner (which I know, also plays into the kitchen staff). So thank you for that. Now... back to my search for a 5 star DU place.
(3)
Taj M.
I have eaten here a few times and wasn't impressed until that last time. Impressed, that is, by how bad my experience was. I ordered a short stack of pancakes, along with corned beef hash and eggs over hash browns. The pancakes were doughy and insipid; I couldn't eat them. The potatoes were even worse. Here's the thing, the menu said hash browns, but these were more like home fries. To make matters worse, they weren't even good home fries. Sliced chunks of boiled potatoes was more like it, the kind you would expect to find au gratin ... not home fries, and certainly not hash browns. Ah, but to add insult to injury, when I asked the waiter about the potatoes, he said "hash browns, home fries, they're the same." Did he just say....? Yes, he did. Sir, for your information, hash browns are not the same thing as home fries. And these, these medallions of dishonor, were neither. It's not like Pete the Greek doesn't know what hash browns are: they get them right at Pete's Kitchen (sort of). Apparently nobody bothered to tell the guys by DU. They tried, they really did (sort of), and the atmosphere here is fine enough, despite the plethora of "no this's" and "no that's" on the table placard (something I commonly find at little family restaurants). But they need to show more respect to the potato ... and to my intelligence.
(2)
Dave B.
I was hungover today and went here for breakfast. The food wasn't the greatest but it was fast and hit the spot. Good short order place. The waitress kept my coffee and water filled the whole time. An under appreciated quality of a good breakfast joint that Pete's has is the waiters don't mess around. No small talk or fake politeness. Just "what do you want" and "here you go". That is nice in the mornings when you are with two other dudes who got tanked the night before and don't feel like being chatty.
(4)
MaryLou D.
My daughter and I were in Denver to look at the University of Denver and attend their Pioneer Day for potential incoming freshmen who had received acceptance letters and stopped by here about 1pm on Sunday after driving around the campus. She got a "Denver Omelette"--how appropriate! It would have been fine except they put a square of barfy packaged cheese on top instead of the real thing and that spoiled the experience for her. I got the German sausage and eggs scramble and it was delish, just what I was in the mood for. The potatoes were awful though--thin leathery slices that had to be those dried reconstituted ones you buy in a box in the grocery store. Neither of us could finish them. They tasted artificial. The coffee was great and really hit the spot and they gave me a refill at just the right moment when I was ready. If I could give 2 and a half stars that would be better.
(3)
Jessica D.
Interesting combination of Greek, Mexican, and breakfast food. I've liked everything I've tried so far, including the eggs mazatlan, and a chicken lemon rice soup. Reasonable prices, casual setting, pretty extensive menu that is heavy on breakfast.
(3)
Vicki S.
I hate it when they forget about you. Food was lukewarm, but the taste was good.
(2)
Elisabeth W.
I've been going here since the cafe opened and while my tastes have changed I feel the food has gotten better. You have the hit and miss waitresses but all in all they are kind and take good care of you. Their green chili is good...it's not just spicy but has a good flavor and good chunks of pork. Their eggs mazatlan is what I nearly always order and you can't go wrong with this!!! The kiddos menu is perfect and they always take good care of the small ones as well as the adults. The only complaint I have is their coffee... there are many better brands out there and, as a coffee addict, I want the coffee to taste as good as my breakfast. If you're near DU I would say it's worth the wait.
(4)
emily p.
This place is deceptively good...the decor leaves much to be desired (a little too old lady/old country lace, flowers, etc), but the food is fantastic. And who knew they served Greek food? I go to DU, and had always written this off as a typical diner until I finally ate there. And ate there again. I highly recommend the Greek breakfasts--gyros & eggs, gyro omelet, gyro skillet. The eggs are cooked perfectly, and these dishes come with pita & tzitziki (spelling?). The pita is fantastic! Fresh & warm, right off the oven or griddle or whatever is used for pita. The sauce is fantastic, and I would never have thought it would be good with eggs, but it is--try it! Their hash browns are out of this world, perfectly seasoned and homey, nothing premade about them. Lastly, the prices are great--two people can have breakfast for under $20, not including drinks. Definitely worth a trip for breakfast or brunch.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
Angelique M.
Just moved into the neighborhood and we decided to try this Cafe as I have been driving past it for years! Prices are great, staff was friendly, and the food was great!! I would classify it as my comfort food stop in the future! Woohoo! Glad I stopped in!
(4)Adam B.
Pete's is always quality. The coffee refills could come a little faster, but it wouldn't keep me away.
(4)Dana M.
Pete's is the epitome' of the diner experience. Good food, good staff. I have no complaints about this place. The food came quickly, my glass stayed full, the food was hot and good. The only reason Im ranking Pete's as a 4 and not a 5 is the lack of wifi. Other than that, a great experience. Will definitely be returning!
(4)Mike B.
I'm somewhat of a fan of diners ... and have eaten in hundreds of them through the years ... my all-time favorite is Pete's University Park Café, located in the DU-Observatory Park neighborhood in Denver. Pete's has an expansive menu, with a vast array of Greek, Mexican and American options. Comfort food is the order of the day at Pete's. One of the reasons that I find Pete's so incomparable is the tremendous staff. Many (really, most) of the employees at Pete's have worked for the diner for years. That alone is a testament to the place. The staff is always courtesy, friendly and highly capable. I've never given a 5-star rating ... but, Pete's deserves it.
(5)Russ D.
Darn good iced tea. Strong. Fresh brewed. Refreshing. One can tell a lot about a business by it's iced tea. And biscuits and gravy. Pete's University Park Cafe upholds the high standards of the whole Pete's local franchise. This cafe is located near Denver University, at the corner of Evans and University. It has a wide variety of foods from Greek to breakfast to Mexican to vegetarian so everyone from children to students to older folks can find something deliciously edible. Coffee mugs and hot sauces, like the other Pete's businesses, are available for purchase. Support local businesses. You'll be glad you did.
(4)Aimee L.
I like Pete's well enough. I have been eating here off and on for years. The food is always good, the service is hit or miss. The reason for the 3 stars is that it doesn't always feel clean. I hadn't eaten there in at least a year for that reason. I know it is near a college campus but that is no excuse not to wipe tables and mop floors. I will say they have the BEST Greek salad I've ever had, which makes me a little sad that I don't want to eat there regularly. Oh well, it has been around so long it is an institution.
(3)Deana K.
Everything here is wayyyy over cooked. Despite being dry, the Greek food is okay if you put extra tzatziki sauce on it. The breakfast is the worst food I've ever had. Ever. Everything was leathery, especially the croissant and eggs. Even my son's grilled cheese was awful. the croissant, fries and hash browns all tasted exactly like each other. Also, every time we've gone (once a year) the staff acts very disappointed and annoyed we are there, even when we are just popping in for a pick up order. I don't know how this place stays in business.
(1)Sasha L.
Great local spot! There is actually a parking lot, rare find for the area. Unfortunately when it is at capacity in the restaurant the waiting area is very small/not accommodating, because you have to stand there with your group, in order, there is no host taking names. The menu is a good size and good prices. I have tried the eggs benedict, gyro skillet, croissant sandwich, breakfast burritos, turkey melt, and my favorite is the eggs mazatlan! All meals are in the neighborhood of/under $10, great value. I tend to go here on weekend mornings, mildly hungover, and I leave cured! However, I wouldn't bother ordering alcoholic drinks here. My bloody mary sucked. The service is consistent. There is a cute guy with tats, a woman with dark hair, and a girl with hipster glasses. They do the best they can, I think sometimes their sections are too full, I also think their outdated systems might make their jobs harder (old cash register, everything hand written). Highly recommend! Random fun fact: The owner Pete has a cool story, he came here from Greece as a teenager, for a little while he was an underwear model, at some point met the woman of his dreams. She told him if they were going to be together he would have to stop modeling underwear. He did so, they are still together to this day. He gradually worked his way up from dishwasher to multi-restaurant owner. He has several other locations all over Denver, all of which I have been to, all of which are good. Such a great guy, very involved with the community, a passionate individual and proof the American Dream is still alive!
(4)J. Todd F.
For those of us that love a good diner, this is it! I've always had great food here, and the staff is very nice. I sit at the bar and my food is delivered pretty quickly, and still pipping hot. I love their breakfast burrito, of course smothered in Pork Green Chili, and find it to be more than I can eat at one sitting (and I can eat). I'd definitely recommend you go check this place out.
(4)Nicole S.
A bit of a wait for a party of six, but that's to be expected at any restaurant (and beats the hour wait at Jelly down the street). We loved the round table by the window at the back of the restaurant--plenty of room and just enough privacy to not be bothered by the hustle and bustle of the busboys and waiters. Loved that I could get a 1/2 order of the biscuits and gravy and really only be charged for half an order. The stuffed french toast turned out to be a mountain of crisped bread, cream cheese, and cinnamon apples, which was fine with me. My husband gave me the rest (1/3 of his meal), and it was great. My only regret was eating too much!
(4)Greg G.
poor service go there all the time was there this week bad service won't go again
(1)Theresa S.
Okay food ( extremely big portions but you can tell the quality of food isn't there. The service isn't that great either.
(3)Jennifer W.
I only get takeout from here and it is always good. Sometimes i have to call a few times before anybody answers.
(4)Alice G.
Been coming here for 20 years for breakfast! Best place near DU! Thank you Petes for the years of delicious gyros and egg platters, great booths, consistent waitresses, and easiness on the old wallet! Feels like home!
(5)William H.
I had the gyros skillet and it was great great portions are large and fill you up and waitress was very nice and took care of us the whole time we were dining.
(5)Manny R.
Good basic diner breakfast with decent coffee and quick friendly service. The hash browns are tasty and the bacon is good and you get four slices per order. A Denver institution for sure!
(3)Natalie B.
I went in early to study and have breakfast. There was hardly anyone in the restaurant but I was told that I couldn't stay if it got busy. Was treated poorly while there because the waitress was upset that I was taking up a table even though there was no one else in the restaurant. I had to ask for coffee refills and the food wasn't that great. I will not return to this establishment based on the way that I was treated.
(1)Rebecca R.
We've driven by this place many times and finally decided to try it. I LIKED IT! I got the gyro meat, it was as good as it gets. I can't wait to try their other items. The decor is dated and it has kind of an "old" feel, but I didn't mind. The food and service were great. Reasonable prices.
(4)H L.
Wish I would have tried this sooner! I have lived walking distance to this place for two years, but always ended up going somewhere else with better reviews. Well, I have been missing out! My friend and I ordered the "Pete's Grecian Platter" because we were both craving salad AND gyro meat. Well omfg, the platter was eNORMous! It was enough to feed four people- piles of gyro, slouvaki (pork) and chicken. Seriously- I took the leftovers home and had it for lunch for two days!! My other friend had the breakfast burrito and I was surprised that the Colorado green chili was good spicy hot since we were at a Greek place (just as you wouldn't expect Greek food to be good at a Mexican place). Great Greek familia service too. Parking is a beatch, but so is everywhere downtown, so just deal with it.
(4)Matthew C.
I don't understand why so many Greeks own American style deli restaurants. All I know is that the Farmers omelet is amazing and makes me a happy person. The service is usually quick, and there is an eclectic mix of customers from undergrads to retirees who hang out here. And the desserts are huge and yummy - and that's what makes them so dangerous.
(4)Tif D.
Typical greasy spoon in a high rent area. Expect your bill to reflect that. If you absolutely must have a Diner experience while on DU campus, Pete's has got you covered.
(3)Alex W.
This place is really terrible. The food was gross, the service wasn't great, and to top it off when one of my friends used a swear word, in a place that's almost completely empty, the manager/owner decided the appropriate action would be TO CALL THE COPS. We are all professionals in our 30s having dinner! No one came over and said anything to us they waited in the back after delivering the drinks and waited to get our order until after the policewoman came and in a very confused demeanor said "someone" reported us for disturbing the restaurant. At the end of the meal with hostile service, my friend once again said "shit man we have to hang out more" and that's when the manager reprimanded *me* saying "This isn't a bar!" At which point we put everything together. How this place is still open in a college town is way beyond me.
(1)Rogelio G.
Good food. Always used to order the the Grecian platter even when I was alone cause it's so much food you can pretty much eat that the whole week. Ahhh....being single.
(3)Hannah I.
It's fine. I like the feel of a diner, and its menu reminds me of a Greek-American diner in Atlanta I used to go to, but the food has always been just what three stars means, A-OK. I never leave disappointed, but I never leave feeling like it was a great value, either. I live very near, and honestly, we don't think to come here very much. The exception would be that they have a good early bird breakfast if you want basic breakfast- eggs, potatoes, meat.
(3)Amber H.
Great service! Excellent food!! The chef's special and the breakfast burrito were on point! Along with the mimosas!! Definitely will be going back.
(5)Mark O.
I really, really, want to like this place. The service is always courteous and prompt. However, the food is inconsistent at best. I've dined in and I've carried out. Twice, the gyros have been cooked to perfection--tender and soft. Two other times, the gyros have been burnt, overcooked, and taste as if they've been under a warmer for a long time. The staff is good at fulfilling special requests--they've never gotten an order wrong. But the inconsistency is puzzling--you shouldn't have to guess which cook is in the kitchen which day.
(3)Amy M.
I found myself a little underwhelmed with Pete's. I ordered the cheese omelet with home fries. The omelet had a piece of yellow American cheese melted on top and the homefries were cold. We saw the waitress only 2 x. When she took our order and brought our food. No check back and the hostess delievered the bill. Add to that the obnoxious ( f bombs being dropped) college students at the next table and I was more then ready to exit.
(3)Joe J.
We tried Pete's this last weekend on the suggestion of a couple friends. The atmosphere is pretty fun. Its a cool college cafe. I tried their mushroom burger. I asked for no tomato, no onion, no pickle, but i got them all. The mushrooms are sauteed with even more onions, and I got those as well and they weren't cooked fully. So, I had soggy mushrooms, undercooked onions, fresh onions, fresh tomato, and pickle all of which didn't start the meal out well. The burger was huge and delicious in general once I'd taken off the onions. The fries were piping hot and decent, but not great. The service was extremely fast. It was like they were trying to impress us with how fast they were going. Unfortunately, I think their speed contributed to the mistakes on the meal. At a high price restaurant I would have just sent the meal back and asked for it correctly. But, I didn't want to be a jerk and I just ate what I got. Mistake. The food stayed in me about as long as it took to eat it. Overall, my impression: Meh. I've had alot better. I won't take any of my friends there and I don't recommend you do either. There are better options.
(2)Kurt J.
The short and skinny: This place is just fine. It's nothing fancy, a bit outdated, but the food is very reasonably priced, comes in generous portions, and you'll never regret coming here. It's just a good place for a nice casual meal. I used to live half a mile away and came in frequently in 5+ years of living in the neighborhood, and I kinda miss the place! I still do lunch here when I can, the gyros plate and the club sandwich are pretty fool-proof and always tasty. The waitstaff is hit-and-miss, like any other inexpensive diner, it just depends what day it is. But, you'll NEVER wait an obscene amount of time for your food and in probably 80 visits as a customer here, they never botched my order - that's worth something! Anyone can do a cheeseburger, but Pete's has one called "Dean's Special" which is a full one-pound DOUBLE bacon cheeseburger cooker to order. It is awesome! I'm surprised they don't make you sign a waiver or pop a Bayer before eating one. OK, so it's not Del Frisco's, but if you just want a nice place to sit down and get a hearty, tasty meal for eight or ten bucks, Pete's can do no wrong!
(4)Katie R.
After sipping on bloody mary's & mimosas during the boyfriends hockey game [he plays in an adult league at DU!] and witnessing a win [yay!] the fellow wives/girlfriends and teammates decided going to brunch would be a great way to celebrate an 8am win....and they were right! Although small, the interior is quite spacious and fit our table of 10 comfortably in the back. Water, coffee and juice arrived quickly before deciding on our yummy breakfast dishes. I chose the Greek Veggie Omlette, which was loaded with greek olives, feta cheese, green peppers and onions, topped with an over easy egg [perfect for soaking up the hash browns!] with a pita on the side. WOW! words can no describe how good it was :) Service? Not bad at all :) quick, friendly and they even allowed us to catch the start of the Blackhawks game with a request to change the channel! Staff is very helpful in suggesting food and always had a smile on their faces! Prices? Cheap. Affordable. Great :) Atmosphere? Very college chic and homey. The company? even better :)
(4)Natalie G.
I've been coming here, traditionally for my before the Furry Scurry breakfast for years. I brought in some first timers this year. While my over medium eggs were cooked to perfection (and oddly difficult thing to accomplish in metro Denver), the complaints on the scrambled surprised me. Two of our diners had the scrambled eggs, and they were overcooked, making them flat and burned. They do their hash browns like a country potato, which I find quite tasty, and the bacon and bread, well, it's hard to screw that up. Service is amazingly quick, and staff is friendly enough.
(3)Tommy S.
My buddy loves this place. Compared to some of the other Pete's it's good but not the same. It just doesn't have that Colfax feel. The food is the same but something just feels different. I can't figure it out?!?!?!?
(3)Scott L.
Oh yeah....breakfast burrito baby! Get it and don't think about how many calories you are eating....
(4)Mariko Y.
As soon as you enter they have a sign stating that all of your party must be present before you are seated. 99% of time, they will follow this rule. I think that if they were constantly busy it would work, but if there are 8 open tables and it's mid morning it seems a little aggressive. As for the food, it's all right. I don't think that there's anything to note. I think the food might be better than the service, which is sad.
(3)Lee C.
Not really sure what's so great about this place. Went there on recommendations here and some of you must have very low expectations. Food was meh, nothing spectacular. Had a skillet which was kinda small and eggs nearly burnt. They resembled something I would have microwaved out of the freezer. The french toast appeared to be ok but upon further inspection looked and tasted like it was reheated from the night before. The thing that really frosts my butt was the syrup was brown colored water. Now, if you're going to a cheap greek restaurant you expect a little thinning, but this was by far the worst job I've ever seen. And try to find a server after you get your food, it's near impossible. And it wasn't busy, there was like 5 tables and they're all running around like chicken's with their head's cut off for what reason I do not understand. Crappy service, mediocre food and prices suck for what you get. Too many other places to go that get it right to even go back. Made me miss Chicago for the first time since I've moved here.
(2)Richard P.
Love Petes! Just like the original with the same hospitality you'd expect on Colfax (maybe nicer!)
(4)Faisal A.
The food is ok, but the services is THE WORST EVER. I live near by the area so some times I drop by for a lunch or a breakfast and everytime I found the service is even worse than its been before
(1)Nicholas P.
The wait staff here is very friendly, however my issue with Pete's is that they no longer accept Debt or Credit cards and this creates a hassle as you have to remember to bring cash before you come. Also their menu is not really geared toward students. At least middle to working class students as most of their fair while under ten dollars will usually run you 7-8 dollars. There is nothing wrong with Pete's pricing it is just that it seems to have the facade that it is a less expensive establishment (also its food is mediocre, that is why I am giving it such a low score). Though I have issues with Pete's it does seem to have relatively inexpensive Early Bird Specials.
(2)Matt C.
Good ole Greek diner. You take the man out of New Jersey, but you can't take the New Jersey out of the man. And you can say a lot about my beloved Garden State, but you can't say that we don't know our diners. Food is always good, even if its nothing fancy. The service is quick and very friendly. And they're always ready to refill your coffee mug.
(4)Mick D.
A great, cheap eatery in a near-University setting. I had the breakfast burrito with gyro meat. Absolutely fantastic. It was too big to finish. Service was fast. Prices are very reasonable.
(4)Patrick M.
What can I say bad about my delicious Gyro sandwich? Nothing. It was delightful, perfectly piled high with gyro meat. I had to fork some off it to start gyro inhalation. Topped with chopped tomatoes and onion. Great flavor, it hit the spot. To my dismay saginaki is not served at this location.
(4)Rick J.
Difficult to believe this place is associated with Pete's Kitchen on E. Colfax. I have been to this location 6 times for breakfast in the last 2 years-the service gets worse each time. Same ol servers and manager,lousey attitudes,lazy, and could care less about their customers. The little twirp at the front enterance is more interested in eating his own breakfast than helping the most lazy of servers-don't cross them,they will flat ignore you. Get your own coffee really ticks them off-serve me and I will stay seated! The food is really good just bad service and attitudes.Perhaps the owner can send some under cover customers and find out for himself.The generous tipper I am-to bad they want it,not earn it! Rick J.
(2)Jen W.
I love a greasy spoon and Pete's did not disappoint - my go to diner meal is always bacon and eggs with a side of sourdough- a meal that is hard to get wrong. I liked the atmosphere and there was a mix of characters that only added to the ambiance - for a brief moment I felt I was back at an east coast diner. Bonus - they have an off street parking lot.
(3)Emily J.
Having gone to school at DU, I have spent many a hungover morning at Pete's scarfing down a Greek omelette smothered in the greasy goodness that is gyro. I love this place. It is like the restaurant in "Seinfeld", you never know who you're going to see and you never know how surly your server may be. Questionable service aside, Pete's is always efficient and the food is always hot and delicious. If you're looking for a substantial, hearty, stick to your ribs breakfast or brunch look no further than Pete's. I have been here for lunch a few times and they have great sandwiches and salads as well. I love the Greek veggie wrap; a fresh pita wrapped around veggie goodness with taziki and fries, delicious! Even though I've graduated, this place is still one of my old-time standbys. It's good, dependable, and never fails for people watching.
(4)Barb B.
Pete's has a special place in my heart because my brother really likes it so I often meet him there for brinner. And one thing that is awesome about Pete's is that you can get breakfast foods all throughout the day, and as everyone knows, breakfast is the best meal. Does Pete's have the best breakfast in town? In a word, no. Not remotely. But I've never had anything terrible there, and it is consistent - consistently fairly tasty, quite greasy, which is always good, and you don't have to wait. And they have pie, so you can have breakfast and then have dessert. The pie is definitely nothing to write home about but its existence is enough. You could definitely do much worse for diner food. Thanks for being a special place for me and my bro, Pete's!!
(3)Bill K.
Pete, you need to come down to see how badly this location has fallen. It is very clear that over the past few years management has let this place go under the radar of the other better 'Pete's' restaurants in the chain. Not only is the service simply the worst in Denver, the food is not what it used to be and is no longer even CLOSE to being the best Greek/diner food on University let alone Denver. I used to love this place but surly obnoxious wait staff just does not cut it for me. Go to Tzatziki's a couple miles away on Colorado Blvd. and get some real Greek food. This place lives off it's location near DU and late night hours on weekends. Save your money and go elsewhere, this place needs help!
(2)Dylan L.
There's a lot to love about Pete's. That diner feel, it being in a university area, being able to go there late night for breakfast, greek beer... A few gripes I have (sometimes) with Pete's: -Service is very hit or mess. Sometimes I'll have a great server who is attentive and all; sometimes I'll only see my waiter when I order and why they bring the food, no checkups or refills or whatever. -The food sometimes takes longer than it should. -I've received my food cold sometimes, making me wonder if it just sits at the counter for minutes before being picked up. Still, I love Pete's for their delicious breakfast that's served all day and the almost "atmosphere" of the place. And since I live 2 blocks away, I'll keep going back!
(3)Brittany H.
On a whim, Lisa H and I changed our Saturday morning routine of French pastries and decided to pop into Pete's for a warm, heart-clogging breakfast. We must've got here just in time before the hungover college students and the regular breakfast crowd meandered in because the place was nearly empty. But within 20 minutes, Pete's was rockin'. We were waited on quickly and served up just as fast. I opted for the Chef's Pancake special, which was oh-so tasty: 2 pancakes, 4 pieces of bacon, your choice of eggs, and some hashbrowns. For less than $8, this was a deal! So much food, I couldn't eat it all. But I certainly tried. Lisa had some sort of bacon-y skillet, which looked amazing as well. Good home cooked-style food (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drunk o'clock food) served in the friendly Pete's atmosphere that we've all come to love and enjoy in Denver. Yes, Pete's I'll be back for breakfast for sure.
(3)Kristen P.
This is a great lunch spot. Been in here twice and it is easy to get a table. The food is great diner food, pretty fast service and they also have some vegetarian options.
(4)Darlene H.
It's like VI without the standards. And I thought that would be hard to say. The quality of the food is the same as The Breakfast King...but the demographic isn't as interesting--and isn't that why all have gone there? Good thing Pete has a college crowd. If I was 20s and hung over, this would hit the spot, so I give it 3 starssssssss
(3)Heidi S.
This is an interesting place. DU students, older neighborhood folks and semi-shady characters making deals. OK, that last part is just my imagination but there are always two swarmy-men conversing over gyros and holding their hands as if an invisible cigarette hovered there, now the food.... It is what it is. Every bad thing you can imagine to ingest is here, blah. The breakfast burrito is mostly potatoes and the presentation is the same as a Denny's for any dish. The staff invented the art of serving food without a care, they are crusty and if you get a young server, they are usually distracted by other young people and tend to focus on the emos. Meh. There are better options even for starving DU students -and yes, not all DU students are loaded. So there.
(2)David C.
This location of the Pete's empire is famous for their all-day, all-kinds-of-everything menu, and being right next to DU, I've eaten here a number of times. I usually opt for something Greek, since I enjoy most of their gyro or lamb or souvlaki dishes, and of course everyone goes for the avgolemono soup. But they also have a huge amount of non-Greek dishes, so if you want a club sandwich or chicken tenders or something like that, you're covered here too. That makes Pete's a good place to go when everyone is in the mood for something different, since you all don't necessarily have to agree. Service can occasionally be a little slow, but most of the time it's not a problem. This is a staple of the neighborhood and I imagine it will keep serving up all the classics for years to come.
(3)Trevor K.
Pete's is a simple Greek American diner close to my house. The food is decent and the staff including the manager/co-owner is very friendly! If your looking for a simple breakfast or lunch I recommend University Cafe.
(4)Teresa W.
Food was alright. My husband had the gyro meal and said it was fabulous. I had the chicken tenders meal and it was ok. I'd probably go back and order something else instead. The waitress was nice- although I think they forgot my dinner roll- not that I need the extra calories. I think breakfast is where it's at for this place.
(3)Allie R.
The service here isn't always great, and sometimes the waiters aren't as laid back as they should be but its close to my house and is consistently good. Service is usually fast too.They also have homemade soups daily which is always a plus in my book. The greek food is good and all their American food is good as well. I would have to say my favorite thing is the chicken sandwich but the breakfast is good too and prices are reasonable.
(3)Katie L.
I came here a little sauced up and had veggie eggs bene. I seemed to think they were delicious because I came back a few weeks later. Christmas eve I ordered the croissant scramble w gyros. Bad move. I was expecting the gyros to be all crispy and delicious but they were pretty low brow and I picked them all out. I think someone else mentioned that the "hasbrowns" are not browned, crispy, and delicious as hashbrowns are meant to be. The bf had a burger and fries. The fries were really overdone and soggy. This place is not very good with potatoes. It's moderately cheap and open when most things are closed. Most importantly they start serving booze at 7am
(3)Amy W.
I like it! The service isn't always the best, but the food is. Amazing if you want a "greasy spoon" type place to satisfy late-night or early morning cravings - or anything in between. A huge variety of menu items, most under $10. The gyros omelet and hashbrowns were particularly good.
(4)Elizabeth W.
I used to go here often when I lived in the area...and had fond memories, so I met a girlfriend there for lunch as she still lives nearby. Service good. Food good. It would have been a solid 4 except that one of the employees was wandering around the dinning room on the phone screaming at someone. My friend said that is pretty normal now. Normal? I think the late night bar crowd is less noisy. I'm certainly going to go back with hopes that an updated review will be a 4.
(3)Max G.
Came to Pete's on a Saturday night. I had to ask four times for a drink before they brought it to me. I was over half way done with my meal. After our meal was over we waited 30 minutes for them to drop the check. And when my girl friend went to the cash register to pay. She got nothing but attitude from the lady running it. The wait staff and the manager were all rude to us. I'm sorry we look like university students. We are not, we both have great paying jobs and love leaving tips.
(1)Kate M.
Pete's is your typical greasy spoon joint. Steak 'n' eggs, Denver Skillet, Greek omelet, you name it, they've got it and if they don't, they'll probably make it. I agree the service can be sketchy, but it's a part of the atmosphere. Sit at the counter and you can take the whole experience in. One of the waitresses is constantly pissed off while everyone pretty much nods their heads and laughs. All in all, good cheap grub when you're starved, hungover or just need to be entertained.
(4)Melissa J.
I've been to several of the Pete's and sometimes it's ok and sometimes it's awful. This morning I left unhappy. Granted it was a busy Snday morning. I got the eggs Mazatlan and it came cold with unappetizingly soggy, uncrispy potatoes. The green chili was pink and lumpy. My husband got the corn beef hash and thought it was alright. The waitress never refilled our coffee, water, or brought us more half and half. We finally had to flag down the busboy. In the past I've had better luck with their gyro meat, hamburgers, and chicken fried steak. But it's definitely not my first choice for breakfast.
(2)Chilly W.
Nothing fancy, but they are consistent and have great prices. If you are in the area and need a quick lunch then give it a shot. Everything from Gyro's to hot beef sandwiches (for the country lovers).
(4)EB B.
Been going here for years
(5)Jo B.
My husband and I ate dinner tonight and it has really gone down hill. The chicken strips were obviously frozen, the vegetables were soggy and gross, the baked potato was as well. The whole restaurant is dirty and dated. We mainly have eaten breakfast there and the last couple if times it also was not up to par...we complained to our waitress last time but did not bother to complain this time. I just do not think they care.
(1)Mikki J.
We waited for almost half an hour for three simple dishes when there's just two other customers are dining. Their food is okay with a huge serving (not sure if a plus or minus) with almost half of my food in the to-go box when I'm super full. The waiters are a little bit chatty which might be why our service was so slow. But not my favorite place to dine on DU's campus.
(3)David S.
This place isn't that bad, but you can do way better. On weekend mornings it's incredibly crowded with very little wait room, so be prepared. Not that I'd know why you would want to go here for breakfast except for proximity--the dishes are usually fairly bland for breakfast (I don't even think the hash browns get seasoned honestly), and while the portions are alright I've never really wanted to finish a dish. As for lunch and dinner, it fares a bit better. The crowd lightens up, everything served is average to slightly above, and the collegiate wait staff gets a lot less stressed out and harebrained. I'd maybe recommend it for the DU staple it is, but definitely not for breakfast (which is what everybody else seems to think it is).
(2)Aaron A.
If you've Yelped Denver eateries more than once, you're probably already familiar with the Pete's dynasty of restaurants in the area. Pete's UPC is the second establishment bearing his name that I've tried, after my tried and true Colfax staple, Pete's Kitchen. Well, I'll let you in on a little secret about something that gives this southside hangout a leg up on most other breakfast nooks in the metro: Stuffed. French. Toast. Oh hell yes. When it comes to the cream cheese filling and apple topping, Pete's University Park is doing it, doing it and doing it well (I represent East but I'll graze out near DU). They've got plenty more on the menu, but getting me to play the field once I've found my ambrosia of choice at a diner is an exercise in futility. Prices are decent, but the server I happened to have on the recent visit was, though very attentive and helpful, rather quiet and robotic in trips to my table. Put on a happy face!
(4)Hubert H.
"We would like a booth" "Then you'll have to wait 5 minutes" (We sit.) "Hold on, let us wipe it up first" Probably not the most enlightened exchange between patron and wait staff, but hey it's a diner what do you expect? Basic breakfast place, and really packed on Sundays with university types, students and professors, possibly some locals. The cheeseburger took a bit longer than the other dishes ordered by colleagues (I can't remember the names at the moment), but hey it's a diner, what do you expect? The kind of place I felt like being interviewed by NPR about "my greatest concerns." Sorry about all the irony. Really, it's a nice decent morning grill.
(4)Kendra L.
Pete's University Cafe is one consonant away from Meh, so... "Eh." (In my mind, "Eh" is slightly better than "Meh.") Which means: I am still searching for a 5 star establishment in the DU area. Sigh. Friend asked if I like Mediterranean food and received an immediate affirmative. I guess I'm used to a bit more authenticity when it comes to Greek food. (I am still mourning the loss of Englewood's South Central II. Sigh again.) It was fine. Edible. Not gross. I ordered the Greek vegetarian omelet (egg whites, as usual). The feta was an appealing factor in my decision making process (as though I would have actually ordered something besides my usual egg white vegetarian omelet at a breakfast establishment). Unfortunately, the feta didn't taste like feta. It tasted more like crumbly cardboard. And yes, for some reason, I know what cardboard tastes like. Munchkin ordered scrambled eggs and bacon, and although I told him, "No snacks unless you eat your eggs", I felt bad for forcing the issue - they didn't look appetizing. I don't blame the kiddo for playing Food Shuffle Board with them. Since I do try to conclude on a positive note if possible, I will add that the service was decent. He was cordial, kept water glasses full and our food arrived in a timely manner (which I know, also plays into the kitchen staff). So thank you for that. Now... back to my search for a 5 star DU place.
(3)Taj M.
I have eaten here a few times and wasn't impressed until that last time. Impressed, that is, by how bad my experience was. I ordered a short stack of pancakes, along with corned beef hash and eggs over hash browns. The pancakes were doughy and insipid; I couldn't eat them. The potatoes were even worse. Here's the thing, the menu said hash browns, but these were more like home fries. To make matters worse, they weren't even good home fries. Sliced chunks of boiled potatoes was more like it, the kind you would expect to find au gratin ... not home fries, and certainly not hash browns. Ah, but to add insult to injury, when I asked the waiter about the potatoes, he said "hash browns, home fries, they're the same." Did he just say....? Yes, he did. Sir, for your information, hash browns are not the same thing as home fries. And these, these medallions of dishonor, were neither. It's not like Pete the Greek doesn't know what hash browns are: they get them right at Pete's Kitchen (sort of). Apparently nobody bothered to tell the guys by DU. They tried, they really did (sort of), and the atmosphere here is fine enough, despite the plethora of "no this's" and "no that's" on the table placard (something I commonly find at little family restaurants). But they need to show more respect to the potato ... and to my intelligence.
(2)Dave B.
I was hungover today and went here for breakfast. The food wasn't the greatest but it was fast and hit the spot. Good short order place. The waitress kept my coffee and water filled the whole time. An under appreciated quality of a good breakfast joint that Pete's has is the waiters don't mess around. No small talk or fake politeness. Just "what do you want" and "here you go". That is nice in the mornings when you are with two other dudes who got tanked the night before and don't feel like being chatty.
(4)MaryLou D.
My daughter and I were in Denver to look at the University of Denver and attend their Pioneer Day for potential incoming freshmen who had received acceptance letters and stopped by here about 1pm on Sunday after driving around the campus. She got a "Denver Omelette"--how appropriate! It would have been fine except they put a square of barfy packaged cheese on top instead of the real thing and that spoiled the experience for her. I got the German sausage and eggs scramble and it was delish, just what I was in the mood for. The potatoes were awful though--thin leathery slices that had to be those dried reconstituted ones you buy in a box in the grocery store. Neither of us could finish them. They tasted artificial. The coffee was great and really hit the spot and they gave me a refill at just the right moment when I was ready. If I could give 2 and a half stars that would be better.
(3)Jessica D.
Interesting combination of Greek, Mexican, and breakfast food. I've liked everything I've tried so far, including the eggs mazatlan, and a chicken lemon rice soup. Reasonable prices, casual setting, pretty extensive menu that is heavy on breakfast.
(3)Vicki S.
I hate it when they forget about you. Food was lukewarm, but the taste was good.
(2)Elisabeth W.
I've been going here since the cafe opened and while my tastes have changed I feel the food has gotten better. You have the hit and miss waitresses but all in all they are kind and take good care of you. Their green chili is good...it's not just spicy but has a good flavor and good chunks of pork. Their eggs mazatlan is what I nearly always order and you can't go wrong with this!!! The kiddos menu is perfect and they always take good care of the small ones as well as the adults. The only complaint I have is their coffee... there are many better brands out there and, as a coffee addict, I want the coffee to taste as good as my breakfast. If you're near DU I would say it's worth the wait.
(4)emily p.
This place is deceptively good...the decor leaves much to be desired (a little too old lady/old country lace, flowers, etc), but the food is fantastic. And who knew they served Greek food? I go to DU, and had always written this off as a typical diner until I finally ate there. And ate there again. I highly recommend the Greek breakfasts--gyros & eggs, gyro omelet, gyro skillet. The eggs are cooked perfectly, and these dishes come with pita & tzitziki (spelling?). The pita is fantastic! Fresh & warm, right off the oven or griddle or whatever is used for pita. The sauce is fantastic, and I would never have thought it would be good with eggs, but it is--try it! Their hash browns are out of this world, perfectly seasoned and homey, nothing premade about them. Lastly, the prices are great--two people can have breakfast for under $20, not including drinks. Definitely worth a trip for breakfast or brunch.
(5)