Greeley’s 16th Street offers several ‘hole-in-the-wall’ restaurants worth exploring
Lorena Muñoz oversees the counter at her brother, Joel Reyes’, restaurant, La Fiesta Express, at 901 16th St. Greeley’s 16th Street across from the University of Northern Colorado offers a handful of hole in the wall restaurants worth exploring. Photo by Emily Kemme.
By Emily Kemme
When you’re talking about a “hole-in-the-wall” — particularly the restaurant sort — it’s hard to find a one-size-fits-all definition. They’re often small with limited seating and the decor might be skimpy to non-existent. A restaurant labeled a “hole-in-the-wall” has honed in on what their food tastes like. And to earn the label, that food has to be some of the best in its genre.
It’s not fancy eats. But still, it’s a well-deserved accolade. When you find a hole-in-the-wall that meets this definition, file it in whatever form of rolodex you’re using these days because it’ll be a spot you’ll return to again and again.
Most don’t have fancy signage and from the street, they don’t look like much. But a stretch of storefronts along Greeley’s 16th Street across from the University of Northern Colorado offers a handful of the type. Take a stroll down the corridor and wander into these little diamonds in the rough to grab a bite, an authentic French pastry or a Colorado brew.
La Fiesta Express
Inside a tiny gray house on the corner of 16th Street and 9th Avenue you’ll find some of the freshest, tastiest Mexican food in town. The immense menu is printed in small script high above the wall dividing the kitchen from the counter where you place your order, making navigating it a challenge.
Begin your day with salsa-drenched Mexican-style eggs cooked to order or stuffed breakfast burritos wrapped in house-made tortillas. Specialities include a trio of La Fiesta enchiladas, pork chile verde, and a California burrito with carne asada and french fries tucked inside. Don’t miss the fish tacos, a generous portion of tender, juicy tilapia tossed with onions and fresh cilantro.
If you’re in the mood for a burger, they’ve got it, too. Wash it down with horchata mango limon fruit water.
Offering take-out, delivery or dine-in, although the dining room only has four tables. If it’s a sunny day, nab an umbrella-shaded table on the patio.
Where: 901 16th St., Greeley
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. (note that delivery hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
D.P. Dough
Dovetailing with the college lifestyle — because when you get the munchies they’re open “crazy late” and are across the street from the university — D.P. Dough’s calzones are satisfyingly huge. Don’t worry if you’re not a student: they won’t make you show an ID to order. Choose from pre-designed ‘zones like the End Zone, a twist on a Philly sandwich bursting with steak, green peppers, onions and mozzarella, or if it’s really late, opt for the Twilight Zone, filled with sausage, mozzarella and unnamed Italian spices — and enter another dimension. Or, stay grounded and choose the Construction Zone, building your own ‘zone from a generous roster.
It’s not a quick meal because amazing calzones take time to bake. The flour-dusted crust has a hint of salt, making it the perfect foil to encase pizza ingredients.
As you might expect, it’s not the place to chow down. Order online, get NoCo Nosh to deliver the goods and get your homework done — or don’t. Calzones don’t talk.
Where: 911 16th St., Greeley
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. | Friday through Saturday 11 a.m.-3 a.m. | Sunday 11 a.m.-1 a.m.
La Petite French Bakery
Since 2016, Chef Chana has been creating French baking artistry in his narrow shop, capturing the delicate nature of pâte feuilletée (puff pastry), double chocolate croissants, and tarts studded with raspberries perched atop lightly sweetened pastry cream — a custard created from skillfully tempered eggs and milk.
Moroccan-born, Chana emigrated to the United States in 1997 after training at Le Cordon Bleu, Lenotre and the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. The accomplished patissier is a one-man force, producing flaky croissants, pain au chocolat and Napoleons with layers of puff pastry and custard. There are also macarons: delicate, almond-flavored, in colors of the rainbow.
In partnership with High Brau Taphouse next door, you can enjoy French onion soup along with a large selection of Colorado craft beer, wine and more. Or pre-order a tomato, pesto and parmesan quiche with smoked Gouda and mozzarella for a traditional light French meal at home, or specialty cakes for your next celebration.
As a place to linger and dream, the bakery wedges into the definition of hole in the wall because of its size, and because of the unexpected experience of finding an authentic French pastry shop just past its threshold.
Where: 919 16th St., Greeley
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
High Brau Taphouse
Calling this space a “hole in the wall” is difficult, but it fits because from the outside, you wouldn’t know that the Taphouse features a sleek, wood-paneled bar.
Thirty rotating taps showcase Colorado’s over 400 independent craft breweries, along with wine, cider, kombucha and mead served in glassware appropriate for the style. Three temperature zones provide a more palatable tasting experience keyed to individual beverages. High Brau also mixes up “Bock”tails — beer infused and inspired cocktails featuring local spirits like Spirit Hound 4-year Bourbon, Outlaw Whiskey and Denver Sweet Potato Vodka. Greeley’s own Shine Shop Apple Agave Spirit makes an appearance on the cocktail menu, too.
Grab a bite from Rocky Mountain Pizza, or pair La Petite French Bakery’s patisserie from next door with a beverage. The Taphouse partnered with the bakery to build a pass-through window between the businesses. From 5-7 p.m. on Saturdays, Chef Chana serves artisan pesto parmagiano, sun-dried tomato and rosemary flatbread and ciabatta sandwiches with rotating fillings. French onion soup is available after 11 a.m. Upcoming events will feature dinner pairings by the partners.
Where: 915 16th St., Greeley
Hours: Open daily, noon - 10 p.m.
Jenny’s Malt Shop & Diner
With over 100 flavors of shaved ice, shakes, malts, ice cream, funnel cakes and cinnamon chews, you can easily get a sugar high at Jenny’s Malt Shop & Diner. Run by Jenny Garcia and her family for over 30 years, a bright blue awning shades the entrance to the diminutive house, belying the nostalgic powerhouse inside. Walls are plastered with Coca-Cola memorabilia, vintage movie posters and laminated puzzles, making it hard to keep your eyes focused on the food.
Tables are few, so if you can, snag one before getting in line to place your order. The menu ranges from burgers and fries to Mexican favorites, including tamales and burritos smothered with Hatch New Mexico pork green chile.
Cool off your palate with a Tropical Sno — there’s a mind-boggling selection of flavors. Or order it volcano style with a scoop of ice cream in the middle of shaved ice.
Where: 923 16th St., Greeley
Hours: Monday through Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.