Linger ★ 4.3
Linger in Denver is Justin Cucci's rooftop Highland room with a Saturday and Sunday brunch service, banh mi sliders and a 360-degree downtown view.
Order: Banh mi sliders and a smoked salmon bagel.
History
Bison returned to Colorado restaurants in the 1980s through Ted Turner's ranches in the San Luis Valley and the Rocky Mountain Bison Co-op. The bison burger replaced the elk burger as the city's go-to lean-game patty by the 2000s. The Buckhorn Exchange on Osage Street, holding Colorado liquor license number one, served bison from its 1893 opening; modern versions at Linger, Ace Eat Serve and the Cherry Creek hotel grills run leaner builds with brioche buns and brown-sugar bacon. Highland Tap and Burger keeps a Colorado-bison patty on the menu year-round.
Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 600g ground bison (or 500g bison plus 100g ground beef brisket for fat)
- 4 brioche buns, split
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced thin
- 4 slices sharp Tillamook cheddar
- Pickles, lettuce and tomato to garnish
- Salt and black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Method
- Sweat the onion in 1 tablespoon butter over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until soft and amber, 25 minutes. Salt to taste.
- Form bison into 4 patties, 150g each. Press a small thumb dimple in the centre. Season heavily on both sides.
- Heat a heavy cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil; sear patties 2 minutes per side for medium-rare (50C internal). Bison overcooks fast; keep watch.
- Top with cheese in the last 30 seconds. Toast buns in remaining butter.
- Stack: bottom bun, lettuce, patty, cheese, charred onions, pickle, tomato, top bun. Serve immediately.
Tip from the editors. Bison has roughly 90 percent less fat than beef chuck; medium-well dries it out. Pull at 125F internal even if it looks pinker than you expect.
This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.
Where to eat colorado bison burger
Colorado bison burger in Denver
My Brother's Bar ★ 4.5
My Brother's Bar in Denver is the city's oldest continuously-operating bar since 1873, a 15th Street institution with Jack Kerouac history and a cheeseburger-and-beer ritual.
Signature drink: Cheeseburger and a beer
Food: Burgers and bar food
Highland Tap and Burger ★ 4.1
Highland Tap and Burger in Denver is the Highland gastropub on 32nd Avenue with a 2 am kitchen on weekends, bison burgers and 40 craft beer taps.
Try: Bison burger and beer
Order: Bison burger with green chile and a Colorado pilsner.
Tip: The basement bar takes the late-night Highland crowd; the kitchen runs until 1:45 am on weekends.
More cities are in research. Want colorado bison burger covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.