Denver’s beloved Biker Jim’s Gourmet Hot Dogs has shuttered its standalone restaurant on Larimer Street, near Coors Field, and will not be returning to the baseball stadium next year. This announcement, confirmed by owner Andrew Soulakis on Tuesday, marks a significant change for the Denver culinary scene and fans of the unique hot dog creations.
An eviction summons had been posted at the 2148 Larimer St. location, naming Worldwide Hot Dogs, the parent company, as the defendant. However, Soulakis clarified that the summons was related to a different property but did confirm the permanent closure of both the Larimer Street restaurant and the Coors Field concession stand. Despite the closures, Soulakis expressed hope for the future of Biker Jim’s, stating, “We are hoping to continue Biker Jim’s in a new location elsewhere,” while refraining from providing specific details. He attributed the Larimer Street location’s closure to challenges in the neighborhood, citing issues with homelessness near the restaurant that negatively impacted the business environment.
The news of the closure initially surfaced over the weekend in a Facebook post by founder Jim Pittenger, which has since been deleted. Pittenger, who parted ways with the company earlier in the year after a disagreement with Soulakis, expressed his personal sadness at seeing the Larimer Street location’s sign removed. Soulakis confirmed he removed the post, asserting that Pittenger no longer has the authority to represent the company.
The journey of Biker Jim’s Gourmet Hot Dogs has been anything but ordinary, mirroring the unconventional nature of its menu, which features exotic meats like reindeer, ostrich, rabbit, and rattlesnake. Jim Pittenger began his hot dog venture from a humble cart in 2005, quickly gaining a devoted following, including celebrity chefs Anthony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern. The Larimer Street restaurant opened its doors in 2011, coinciding with the Colorado Rockies’ home opener, establishing itself as a Denver dining staple.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges for Biker Jim’s. Pittenger eventually traded his stake in the business for shares in a fuel additives company, which transitioned to hand sanitizer production, under Soulakis’ leadership. Under new management, Biker Jim’s expanded its reach into wholesale, partnering with King Soopers grocery stores with aspirations for national distribution. The brand also maintained a presence at Coors Field and Ball Arena.
Pittenger has voiced his concerns regarding the direction the restaurant has taken since Soulakis assumed control. He mentioned issues such as employee payment delays, late rent payments, and a shift in the menu towards more conventional options like bratwurst and “pit-beef” sandwiches, diverging from the gourmet hot dogs that defined the brand. In a previous statement to The Denver Post in July, Soulakis declined to delve into specifics, expressing a desire to avoid a public dispute and respecting Pittenger’s decision to step away.
Last year, Ball Arena terminated its agreement with Biker Jim’s and initiated legal action against the restaurant for unpaid sponsorship fees amounting to $868,000. This fallout contributed to Pittenger’s final departure from the business he created. The Colorado Rockies confirmed this week that Biker Jim’s Gourmet Hot Dogs will not be part of the Coors Field concessions lineup when baseball season resumes in April 2025.
Soulakis stated that the decision to close the Larimer Street location was made within the past three weeks. He conveyed his gratitude to the restaurant’s patrons over the years but reiterated his disappointment with the evolving conditions of the neighborhood, citing instances of individuals sleeping in the restaurant’s entryway and harassing customers.
For Pittenger, 67, Biker Jim’s was envisioned as a path to retirement. However, he acknowledges that the brand no longer carries the same financial promise. Currently, Pittenger is operating a pop-up kitchen named Bikers and Bakers at the Denver Milk Market, located just a short distance from the now-closed Larimer Street restaurant, offering a glimmer of hope for fans seeking the original Biker Jim’s experience.
