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Creative, seasonal contemporary plates served in a low-lit, stylish setting with a full bar.
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Neighborhood Takeout & Restaurant: The Way Back Denver
The Way Back is open for neighborhood dine in, or takeout. We’ll steer you through an exciting exploration of flavors catered to your personal tastes, …
The Way Back (@thewaybackdenver) · Denver, CO – Instagram
Chef Dylan with the finest bodega breakfast sandwiches for family meal! Come see us for all night happy hour tonight, Wednesday cellar sale tomorrow and lasagna …
The Way Back | Denver CO – Facebook
The Way Back, Denver. 3414 likes · 2 talking about this · 2479 were here. A Responsibly sourced, regionally focused neighborhood bar and restaurant…
Reviews
Benjamin R.
We had a fantastic meal and experience here! It was a bit out of the way from other places we were checking out on a recent trip to Denver, but it was worth it! It was definitely a trendier spot, but we enjoyed the food and drinks! I will say that the portions were on the smaller side, so either eat a snack before or don’t come too hungry without knowing you’ll have to spend a bit.
Very unique and powerful flavors though. You could definitely taste the quality and ‘freshness’.
… moreVery unique and powerful flavors though. You could definitely taste the quality and ‘freshness’.
B E (BE)
Words can’t begin to describe on how the food here is. They have an amazing service an A+++. It’s a little on the price side but their service and food makeup for it. They have a good selection of drinks and all their food is made by local organic ingredient. Their menu does change as season change since they only use ingredients that are in season. Defiintly a must try.
… moreAdam Sattley
Southern Hot Chicken meets trendy small plates in the heart of Tennyson.
“The Way Back” is a fairly new restaurant that brings together sustainable local ingredients to create both old Comfort foods and modern dishes served in a tapas-style experience.
Just thinking of the name, I thought the decor would be similar to that of Annie’s Cafe. I was anticipating a nostalgic throwback to the 1950s. Yet the architectural style of the bar reminds me of the early turn of the century, while the uniforms of the waitstaff and bartenders could be from many decades within the mid-twentieth century — they all wear floral print shirts and blouses. There are accent walls of floral patterned wallpapered as well. The front part of the establishment is mostly covered in black paint and reminds one of a speakeasy. However the back of the house, is a more formal setting with white linens.
We had recently heard our friends raving over their fried chicken, so we decided to give it a try last Saturday. After opening the OpenTable app and finding that there were no reservations available anytime Saturday evening, I decided to give them a call. The hostess assured me if I came on the early side during the happy hour which was from 4 to 6 p.m., she could probably get us a table in the front section. She did; we had a nice booth close to the bar.
We were able to take advantage of some of the happy hour selections and prices including $5 whiskey sours, a bread-and-butter appetizer for only $3, and an exquisitely prepared veggie plate for only $6. The veggie plate had unique heirloom-style vegetables. What looked like a couple of a really long and skinny pink carrots ended up being Cincinnati red turnips. The plate also included white baby turnips, endives, cucumbers, and a nice dill-flavored dip.
I ordered one of the specials of the day which comprised of hand-rolled pappardelle pasta, oyster mushrooms, ramps, and a three-year aged cheddar cheese from Durango’s Jackson Farms. The fresh pasta was cooked al dente and paired perfectly with the sharp and decadent creamy flavors of the rest of the dish. It was remarkably filling for a small plate of pasta with no meat. However, for $19 I feel it was a little on the pricey side for a tapas plate. Bob, of course, ordered the fried chicken that everyone had raved about. It was actually really really good. The battered skin of the chicken was incredible. There must be a few sweet ingredients in the batter that give the skin a sweet and savory, yet very crispy finish. I thought the chicken was cooked perfectly to my taste, but some that like their chicken cooked well would have been disappointed by a few pieces that looked a little pink. Again the price seems a little high at $19 for two legs and a thigh. It was served with hot sauce, which is a southern way of serving chicken known as Southern Hot Chicken, and bread & butter pickeks.
Our fun and sassy waitress encouraged us to get a “side” plate as well. Since they were out of their collard greens, the cook had substituted them with a creamed-spinach option. The creme fraiche sauce with a touch of nutmeg elevated the traditionally simple side dish to a more adult option.
We were surprised that we were actually full with only ordering these two larger tapas plates and the side of spinach. This could get pretty expensive in a larger group where a lot of plates would need to be purchased.
Another dish that I have heard good things about, but was not able to try, is the squid ink fettuccine.
Overall, it was a great experience, and I anticipate going back for happy hour during a First Friday on Tennyson night.
… more“The Way Back” is a fairly new restaurant that brings together sustainable local ingredients to create both old Comfort foods and modern dishes served in a tapas-style experience.
Just thinking of the name, I thought the decor would be similar to that of Annie’s Cafe. I was anticipating a nostalgic throwback to the 1950s. Yet the architectural style of the bar reminds me of the early turn of the century, while the uniforms of the waitstaff and bartenders could be from many decades within the mid-twentieth century — they all wear floral print shirts and blouses. There are accent walls of floral patterned wallpapered as well. The front part of the establishment is mostly covered in black paint and reminds one of a speakeasy. However the back of the house, is a more formal setting with white linens.
We had recently heard our friends raving over their fried chicken, so we decided to give it a try last Saturday. After opening the OpenTable app and finding that there were no reservations available anytime Saturday evening, I decided to give them a call. The hostess assured me if I came on the early side during the happy hour which was from 4 to 6 p.m., she could probably get us a table in the front section. She did; we had a nice booth close to the bar.
We were able to take advantage of some of the happy hour selections and prices including $5 whiskey sours, a bread-and-butter appetizer for only $3, and an exquisitely prepared veggie plate for only $6. The veggie plate had unique heirloom-style vegetables. What looked like a couple of a really long and skinny pink carrots ended up being Cincinnati red turnips. The plate also included white baby turnips, endives, cucumbers, and a nice dill-flavored dip.
I ordered one of the specials of the day which comprised of hand-rolled pappardelle pasta, oyster mushrooms, ramps, and a three-year aged cheddar cheese from Durango’s Jackson Farms. The fresh pasta was cooked al dente and paired perfectly with the sharp and decadent creamy flavors of the rest of the dish. It was remarkably filling for a small plate of pasta with no meat. However, for $19 I feel it was a little on the pricey side for a tapas plate. Bob, of course, ordered the fried chicken that everyone had raved about. It was actually really really good. The battered skin of the chicken was incredible. There must be a few sweet ingredients in the batter that give the skin a sweet and savory, yet very crispy finish. I thought the chicken was cooked perfectly to my taste, but some that like their chicken cooked well would have been disappointed by a few pieces that looked a little pink. Again the price seems a little high at $19 for two legs and a thigh. It was served with hot sauce, which is a southern way of serving chicken known as Southern Hot Chicken, and bread & butter pickeks.
Our fun and sassy waitress encouraged us to get a “side” plate as well. Since they were out of their collard greens, the cook had substituted them with a creamed-spinach option. The creme fraiche sauce with a touch of nutmeg elevated the traditionally simple side dish to a more adult option.
We were surprised that we were actually full with only ordering these two larger tapas plates and the side of spinach. This could get pretty expensive in a larger group where a lot of plates would need to be purchased.
Another dish that I have heard good things about, but was not able to try, is the squid ink fettuccine.
Overall, it was a great experience, and I anticipate going back for happy hour during a First Friday on Tennyson night.
Tim Golen
We heard about this place in a list of the best new restaurants for Denver. It was amazing! Everything tasted great, the service was friendly and attentive, the atmosphere was quiet and comfy.
I had the pork belly, which she described as a deconstructed BLT (or bacon tofu she said haha). It tasted great and I ate every last bit of it. So tender and the tomatoes and lettuce were grilled perfectly.
My wife had the pappardelle pasta with summer squash and loved it. I tried it and agreed. The homemade pasta was soft and flavorful.
We also got the broccolini side dish which was delicious.
We will tell everyone we know about this place and keep it on our “fancy” list.
… moreI had the pork belly, which she described as a deconstructed BLT (or bacon tofu she said haha). It tasted great and I ate every last bit of it. So tender and the tomatoes and lettuce were grilled perfectly.
My wife had the pappardelle pasta with summer squash and loved it. I tried it and agreed. The homemade pasta was soft and flavorful.
We also got the broccolini side dish which was delicious.
We will tell everyone we know about this place and keep it on our “fancy” list.
Stephanie Hagen
Great food! Chef Dylan and Matt are very talented and know how to create some real tasty dishes. This is a must go to restaurant for cocktails and dinner. Can’t forget dessert too!
… moreBianca Calderon
Seasonal rotating menu with nice variety of dishes with small plates, fresh ingredients, and some larger dishes. Beautifully plated and good service. Happy hour available in the bar area. Reservations recommended in dining area.
… moreKeith Burgess
Had a wonderful time at The Way Back getting drinks, appetizers, and desserts. The bartender was very friendly and attentive. The drinks and appetizers were delicious, but the Cornbread dessert was insanely delicious. I was actually sad when we finished eating it.
… moreNathaniel Dickson
Nice pub like vibe. Appropriately dark inside and the booths are nicely private. The food was fine, nothing to write home about. The menu rotates reasonably often so there may be better stuff.
The drink menu is solid, our whole table enjoyed their drinks..
Overall okay but probably not coming back.
… moreThe drink menu is solid, our whole table enjoyed their drinks..
Overall okay but probably not coming back.
Alex Thomas
love the restaurant – the new remodel is very dark and a cool space. the booths from the old irish pub are not the most comfortable, but a fun environment. I love the ever changing menu – though the picture is of a salad (it’s because I was too busy eating the rest of the food). anytime I’ve eaten that week’s take on roasted chicken, it is amazing. they are also very good at accommodating allergies.
… moreChelsea Long
We came here based on the Eater reviews and I’m so glad we did! Service was extremely friendly – a little slow but it looked like there was a party of about 30 in the back so that’s normal. Food and drinks were all excellent – we got a bunch of different dishes to share, definitely snag some bread and butter to start but after that you can’t go wrong! The menu changes weekly so I won’t recommend specific things and get your hopes up….but it was all good 🙂
… more