For the True Burger Lover, My Brother’s Bar

If the initials J.C.B. don’t make your mouth water, you must not have stopped by My Brother’s Bar at the foot of the Highlands.

And no, it’s not literally my brother’s bar, and it’s nothing like the Brother’s Bar & Grill in downtown that used to be the Real World: Denver house. My Brother’s Bar is one of the oldest in Denver, and there’s solid reason for that.

Located directly behind REI on 15th and Platte, you might’ve been passing this place for years without understanding its glory. There’s no obvious signage out front; they’re one of the word-of-mouth establishments. Google them and you’ll see a bunch of review sites keeping them strong. Their website is literally just an address and phone number.

Inside is a cozy, oaken oasis. These wooden tables might be older than your grandparents. It feels like a step back in time. This is like one of those places you’d find in a small town that hasn’t seen anything new since the 70s. Bonus: There’s plenty of free parking in their lot out back.

The burgers come wrapped in paper. They’ll bring you out a condiment tray with pickles, peppers, onions … the works. Put their ranch on everything, but especially the onion rings, which have that kinda crispiness you only find from a burger place that’s been doing it for decades. Several giant framed menus on the walls give it that old-school charm you want.

The beer selection is stocked with a bunch of ales and lagers you won’t find at just any bar. Good luck pronouncing some of them. No happy hour, but you can get a pint of anything for less than $5, any time.

There’s no question these are some of the best burgers in Denver. The J.C.B. (jalapeno cream cheese burger) is legendary. The Johnnyburger might be the juiciest, cheesiest thing on the menu — try it double if you need hella satisfaction. But even their classic cheeseburger will blow your mind.

My Brother’s Bar isn’t just a beer and burger mecca, though. Go here if you’re looking for something like a hot pretzel, nachos, or a killer grilled sandwich. Plenty of non-meat options for your veg friends, and they also cater to kiddos with corn dogs, grilled cheese, or tenders.

Open at 11am every day except Sunday, their kitchen stays open until 1:30am so you can nom your drunken heart out later than most downtown kitchens. The back patio is a bit secluded and sometimes has a fire going. I’ve never seen it packed except on an occasional Saturday.

This is the kind of place locals recommend, tourists want to revisit, and newbies need to discover. You’re not a true Denverite unless My Brother’s Bar is responsible for a few extra inches on your waist.