Did you know February has been declared as Lamb Lover’s Month by the American Lamb Board (ALB), which actually has its headquarters right here in Denver. Cap out the end of Lamb Month by diving into a delicious sandwich or burger made with the meat.
Fun fact, Colorado is the third-largest sheep producing state in the country. The ALB celebrates this and the overall dedication of family-operated farms and ranches that raise sheep across the U.S. While the annual Lamb Jam wraps up, look toward the future and snag a ticket to the Lamb Jam Happy Hour Tour, taking place at the Denver Botanical Gardens on August 20.
Until then, enjoy these nine places where you can find succulent lamb in a handy hand-held execution.
Lamb Smash Burger at Samosa Shop
Chopped champion Dave Hadley explores his South Indian and Caribbean heritage through his menu at Samosa Shop. The fast-casual restaurant is located inside Honor Farm, the LoDo bar with a haunted house theme. There, Hadley crafts his cult-favorite samosas by the thousands, along with his farmers’ market hit, the Kerala chicken sandwich.
But it’s his Lamb Kabob Smashburger ($16) that has gone viral with Denver foodies. Yes, it’s really that good. On the simple-but-spiced burger you’ll find between two two seared and smashed lamb patties topped with slices of gooey American cheese, layered with dill, onion, butter lettuce, and Hadley’s secret burger sauce. All this comes on a brioche bun to perfect the dish. 1526 Blake St., Denver, no website
Lamb Sliders at Root Down
This beloved neighborhood restaurant has long been known for fresh and healthy dishes, care in sourcing, and an eclectic vibe. It’s also a boon for the weary travelers who stop at Root Down’s Denver International Airport location.
The Colorado Lamb Sliders ($23) grace the menu at both locations, and have been a feature of Root Down in LoHi since it opened more than 20 years ago. To enhance the lamb, find bacon, aged cheddar, harissa aioli, kale-carrot slaw, and mint-garlic yogurt slathered on top. 1600 W. 33rd Ave., Denver, ediblebeats.com
Late Night Lamb at Gaia Masala & Burger
Hira Kunwar worked his way from dishwasher to head chef at CU Boulder’s food halls, where he met his future business partner, Nandalal Nyaupane. The two opened their first location of Gaia Masala & Burger on the hill in Boulder in 2019 (1116 13th St.).
Joined by Yunish Wataban, who added his culinary expertise to the menu, the mashup of Indian, Mediterranean, and American fare was instantly popular with college students, who flocked to the restaurant for masala fries, gyros, and biryani. Serving only halal food, the team later expanded to Denver, opening a location in Capitol Hill (609 Grant St.) and in LoDo (1530 Blake St.).
The Tikka Masala Burger ($14.99) can be ordered with the beef and lamb gyro meat ($3.99) and comes topped with lettuce, mint, sliced red onion, sliced cucumber and tikka masala sauce. Up the order with a side of Cheesy Masala Fries with Lamb ($13.99) Bonus, you can get food at the Boulder location until 4 a.m., and until 3 a.m. at the Denver spots.
Lamb Burger at Cleaver & Co.
Cleaver & Co. specializes in meats you can stick in a bun. The small shop has two locations including one inside the multi-concept Junction Food & Drink in Denver’s Colorado Center (2000 S. Colorado Blvd.) and Parkway Food Hall in Longmont (700 Ken Pratt Blvd.).
Both spots feature The Got Goat?! ($14.99), a lamb burger topped in sesame seeds, dill-spiked goat cheese mousse, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, and the Indian yogurt-based condiment raita. Add on the loaded tots, topped in hot sauce, bacon-habanero jam, pickles and cilantro crema for even more flavor sensations.
Lunchtime Lamb Burger at Rioja
To dine at James Beard Award winning chef Jennifer Jasinski’s LoDo restaurant is a quintessential Denver experience. Plus, Jasinski doesn’t shy away from featuring lamb on the Rioja menu. With a focus on locally-sourced meats and produce, Colorado lamb shows up on the Smørrebrød ($26) in the form of lamb tartare and in the Ricotta Gnocchi ($16.50/$33).
That’s the dinner menu. If you want a simpler lamb-based meal, head to the 20-year-old restaurant for lunch. That’s when the Colorado Lamb Burger ($18.75) graces the table. Topped with house-made mozzarella, spicy aioli, and oven-roasted tomatoes, and served with sweet potato fries, it’s the best way to enjoy local lamb. 1431 Larimer St., Denver riojadenver.com
The Gyro at Ash’Kara
Known for Mediterranean-inspired fare ranging from fresh pita to sweet potato tagine to an array of flavorful dips, Ash’Kara makes one of the best all-lamb gyros in the city. Dubbed the Ash Gyro ($16), the wrap features lamb shwarma, lemon-pepper tahini, marinated feta, tzatziki, pickled onions, and cucumber. Everything is made in house, and you can taste the freshness. Pair the dish with a side of harissa ($2) for a spicy-umami kick. 2005 W. 33rd Ave., Denver, ashkaradenver.com
Lamb-Filled Sandwich at Moxie Eatery
This sweet, sunny South Broadway cafe is full of whimsical details such as bright orange chairs, black chandeliers, and a regal black-and-white mural of a crown. The internationally-inspired menu features an array of fresh salads, breakfast items, and sandwiches, including the Lambwich ($13.50). On it you’ll find all savory flavors of a gyro, but on ciabatta bread. Other ingredients include tomato, feta, red onion, cumin yogurt, aioli, greens, and cucumber. 70 Broadway, Denver, moxieeatery.com
Shredded Lamb at Crave Real Burgers
This family-owned Castle-Rock-based burger joint opened in 2010 and it hasn’t slowed down since. The two-time Denver Burger Battle champs have a roster of burgers on the menu, including one made with lamb.
The Colorado ($17.50) is a beef burger topped with shredded lamb, pepper jack cheese, green chiles, grilled onions, tomato, guacamole, chipotle mayo, and ketchup. It’s the best way to taste the state’s ranch history in one handheld delight, and worth the trek down I-25 for a bite. 3982 Limelight Ave., Castle Rock, craverealburgers.com
Lamb Barbecue at Roaming Buffalo BBQ
Coy and Rachel Webb, the husband and wife duo behind Roaming Buffalo BBQ, both grew up surrounded by barbecue culture. Drawing on their years of expertise, they opened the restaurant in 2014, and later added on a location in Golden.
While the menu features things you’d expect to find at this type of restaurant, like lots of smoked meats and traditional sides, there’s also a Colorado Lamb Sandwich ($8.75 for ⅓ pound, $12.75 for a half pound) featuring a pile of shredded, smoked lamb. Diners decide what goes on top, just make sure to try the homemade barbecue sauces including a classic, spicy, sweet, hot, and cranberry. 2387 Downing St., Denver, roamingbuffalobbq.com
