Review of The Universal
The Universal: A Comfortable Spot for Inventive Breakfast and Lunch
If you're looking for a cozy spot to enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch, The Universal is the place to be. This restaurant is known for its inventive breakfast and lunch menus, as well as its rotating grits specials. The Universal is a comfortable spot with a full bar, making it a great place to relax and enjoy a meal with friends or family.
The Universal is committed to quality and consistency, from the ingredients used in the kitchen to the service at the table. The restaurant serves homemade comfort fare and re-imagined classics, ensuring that there is something for everyone on the menu. Whether you're in the mood for homemade biscuits and preserves, signature cornbread rancheros, or bison stroganoff, you'll leave The Universal feeling satisfied and eager to return.
The restaurant is open seven days a week, with different hours on weekends. On weekdays, The Universal is open from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, while on weekends, it opens an hour earlier at 7:00 AM. The Universal is a popular spot, so be prepared to wait during peak hours. However, the restaurant has an online waitlist, which makes it easy to join the queue from the comfort of your own home.
The Universal has received high praise from customers for its delicious food and friendly service. Customers have raved about the Wild Boar Scramble, the Corned Beef Hash, and the Custard Toast. The restaurant also offers gluten-free and vegan options, making it a great choice for those with dietary restrictions.
If you're looking for a comfortable spot to enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch, The Universal is the perfect choice. With its inventive menu, friendly service, and cozy atmosphere, it's no wonder that this restaurant is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
From the business
"Serving homemade comfort fare and re-imagined classics. The Universal is committed to quality and consistency from the ingredients of the kitchen to the service at the table. Whether you join us for our homemade biscuits and preserves, signature cornbread rancheros, or bison stroganoff, you will leave with the desire to return tomorrow."
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair-accessible washroom
- Outdoor seating
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Sam Grose
Oh man, what a delicious breakfast we had! I ordered the green chili eggs with a side of Korean steak, and my partner ordered a tasty stack of pancakes with a regular breakfast of a few eggs. The al dente heirloom grits were awesome, and the pork in the chile was perfectly cooked. Some of the best I had in Denver. Wish I had gone back, and will when I return to Denver.
The nitro cold brew and latte were also delicious!!
Anthony Parada
Food was amazing and service was fast and friendly. Contemporary interior design and background music. We had the namesake (The Universal), special of the day (pork belly, eggs and grits), and custard toast. Custard toast, pancake and grits are unlike any we've tasted before.
Nicole Simoes
Great for a good ole American breakfast. They make all the staples and they make them really well. The space has an Americana vibe circa 50's meets now. They also have outdoor seating. I'm adding this to my favorite breakfast spots in Denver.
Celeste Galindo
The Universal is a MUST! The server told us the top selling items and this was one of them. If you stop by, you must try the banana pancakes. They were phenomenal. They provide several meat & meatless options which was nice. I got the chicken apple sausage and i loved it. Would have gave the place 5 stars but when arriving, we were sat between a bunch of dirty tables and one of them even had salsa all over the floor. Besides that, the universal was great.
M Urdiales
We grabbed brunch on a Sunday around 11:30 and only had to wait about 10 minutes. My boyfriend got the veggie scramble and I had the green chili grits. Both were great and the waitress was very nice and helpful. 4 instead of 5 stars because there were multiple tables open when we walked in but they weren't bussed and it took a surprisingly long time just to clean up to seat larger groups.
Mark Filler
We love this place. Whether it is the always changing grits daily special or my go to, the Wild Boar Scramble, always a good start to the day. Service at bar is always fantastic.
(just adding to the review since I posted a new one elsewhere)
When my wife is going through breakfast options for the weekend day, if this is on her list, we are THERE. I love this place. Friendly and efficient service every time. They always have a surprise grits special that is usually delicious. My wife got the Philly last time and it was really good. For me, it is always the same dish...every single time. The Wild Boar Scramble is one of my favorite breakfast dishes...like ever. I throw some Hollandaise on the whole plate (eggs and potatoes) and get some sourdough to dip and stack. The thing is delicious and eventually I will try other things, but not yet. We would go more if they had a breakfast beverage deal, but we still like the place a lot. I definitely recommend.
Erin Arick
So much food for a great price. I got the sausage scramble which was super good and I tried both the berry and banana walnut pancake. They were amazing! Would definitely recommend this place for brunch.
Karl K
Corned beef hash was delicious. Waitlist app is very convenient. Neighborhood has some beautiful houses, check them out while you wait.
Jessica Zapien
At first I thought this was going to be just another breakfast place, but the food here is a step (or two.. or three) above other breakfast places I've been to. My husband and I both got the universal; I got mine with a banana pancake and he got his with the biscuit and gravy. All the food was delicious, including my banana pancake (pictured), but my husband's biscuit and gravy was on another level. The gravy was like a wonderful combination of brown gravy and country gravy with chunks of sausage in it.
The service was great as well, and the food came out quickly.
Overall a great place to go for breakfast food.
James Richardson
My family was asked to leave when we had our dog on their patio, even though we have had our dog there multiple times with support from their staff (they would feed him bacon). There is no sign disallowing dogs from their outdoor spaces, if there was we would not have tried to dine there with our dog. Which is the norm for drinking and eating establishments in Denver. The server called us entitled as we left and the other patrons watched in dismay. Such a disappointment, this was such a nice place that I no longer feel comfortable supporting.