Nestled near the corner of 12th Avenue and Bannock lies a true culinary delight. Leven Deli Company, located in the Golden Triangle, is surrounded by three of the city’s museums: Denver Art, Clyfford Still, and the Kirkland.
On any given day, there is a line that extends out the door and beyond. There are no unhappy faces. Instead, folks look cheerful and relaxed, talking casually to those next in line and looking forward to a delicious and sometimes innovative deli lunch.
Leven is not just an ordinary deli. It is also a wine bar, bakery, and coffee shop, all crafted to bring people together to enjoy their favorite things in a cozy atmosphere. Leven is unique in that it retains some aspects of a Jewish deli and compliments items described as “Mediterranean”. You will find sandwiches such as a 12-day House Made Classic Pastrami, Pastrami Reuben Sandwiches, a Turkey Club, and Chicken Shawarma. Other choices include a hummus plate, whipped feta cheese, chicken and orzo soup, and many others. All are served with delicious sides, including fennel and mint coleslaw and French curry potato salad.
The favorite at Leven is their popular daily baked bread, which is sold over the counter. Their dessert menu is long and varied, and one can surely find an offering to complete the meal. A recent Google review sums it all up, saying they have a ”friendly staff, good vibe, and nice people.” Others say, “It’s the best bread I have ever had.”
Leven (which means “light”) was founded in 2018 by two Denver veterans of the Restaurant business: Anthony Lygizos and Luke Hendricks. Lygizos worked in Aspen at the prestigious Little Nell and became a sommelier. Hendricks was the head chef at Potager, where the two met. They spent three years trying to find the right spot before settling on 123 12th Street. Their goal was to give a new approach to the deli concept as well as provide a good work-life balance for their employees.
Lygizos sums up their philosophy, saying, “Levin stands for three things. We will never be open late, so everyone can be in bed by 10:30 PM if they want. We pay $20 an hour. We work smarter, not longer. Lastly, we offer a pathway to partnership as we believe in providing room to grow. That’s what we value.”
As with all successful businesses, Leven Deli’s growth is forecasted. They plan to open a second location shortly in Wash Park, and they have leased an 11,800-square-foot building on Garfield Street, which will serve as the hub for the two restaurants.
A visit to Leven should be on your list, but lunch hour may not be the best time to go. A good time to arrive would be 1:30 PM, when you can avoid the long line. Another option might be to try Happy Hour, so you can sample lunchtime offerings and tasty libations. Lifestyle Magazine says it best: “Whether you walk into Leven looking for a sandwich or just a glass of wine, you will consistently find good hospitality”.
The best news for UpDoNA members is that Leven has also announced plans to open another location in Upper Downtown in the beautiful new building at 675 15th Street!
Sources for this article:
- Leven Deli Webpage-google.com
- The Denver Post
- Westword
- Lifestyle Magazine, Cherry Creek
Attribution for photos: Leven Deli Webpage-google.com
