Have Denverites Turned on Illegal Pete’s?

Did Illegal Pete’s bite off more than it could chew by opening three new locations last year? Were the restaurants just hit especially hard by COVID? Or is something else to blame for the way some Denverites have turned on the local restaurant chain? It all started earlier this year, when Reddit was ablaze with stories of food poisonings, cuts to worker benefits, and less-than-awesome queso. So, executive producer Paul Karolyi sat down with founder and CEO Pete Turner to see what he had to say about these claims. We’re revisiting this conversation today, plus some additional developments in the Illegal Pete’s saga — especially since the complaints haven’t stopped.  

Paul mentioned the letter that Turner and some other downtown restaurant owners sent to Mayor Mike Johnston complaining about how slow downtown’s economic recovery has been. He also recommends this fun queso taste test that Westword’s food editor and friend of the show Molly Martin did last year. 

What do you think about Illegal Pete’s? Have you noticed anything different this year? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418

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• Simply Eloped

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