Inside Patsy’s Inn: Denver’s Little Italy + Video

Not many people know that Denver has it’s own Little Italy. And at the core of it, is a classic mom and pop joint place called Patsy’s Inn, which is Denver’s longest running Italian restaurant. It’s the kind of place you find super thick homemade noodles and an even thicker marinara sauce topped with heavy duty meatballs and sausage- a meal that turns customers into regulars.

The joint opened in 1921 and was originally known as the Italian Garden. After Mussolini came to power at the start of World War II, the original owners decided to take on a name from a less controversial culture. Believing that the Irish were universally loved, the restaurant adopted the name Patsy’s Inn. Located on 37th and Navajo, the restaurant remains in it’s original spot. Owner, Ron Cito, took over ownership from his aunt and keeps fresh Italian nosh on tables with the help of his wife Kimmie.

If spaghetti isn’t your flavor, your appetite can still be fed with fish, meat, and other hand rolled Italian pastas. Owners Ron and Kimmie Cito also have a longstanding fish special on Saturday and Sunday known as the “Pacino.” Along with great food, Patsy’s also has a storied history of supporting starving artists. The murals on the wall were created by Camaro, a traveling artist who stumbled into the restaurant looking to work in exchange for a hot meal.

Details: www.patsysinn.com