By Mike Nelson
Those of us who grew up “back east” have a constant longing for a few extraordinary foods. If you’re from Buffalo, it’s chicken wings; from Philadelphia, gotta have that cheese steak. Of course, if you’re from the New York area, then you know a great hot dog when you taste one. Here in Denver, if you want an “East Coast” style hot dog stand experience, then Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs is your kind of place.
Let’s start off this review with a little honesty: this is not health food. The main dishes at Steve’s are the best of the American classics: hamburgers, French fries and onion rings, shakes and malts, and of course, hot dogs. My recent meal included an “Atlanta Slaw Dog” which features chili con carne, cheddar cheese, red onions, and coleslaw on a freshly grilled dog. That’s only one of at least 10 specialty dogs, in varieties that simply boggle the mind. Top that off with an order of their deep fried carrot sticks and green beans - you’ll be glad you did.
Don’t like hot dogs? You can get hamburgers, veggie dogs and garden burgers, grilled cheese, breakfast burritos – served all day, and several other choices. They offer kids meals for diners 10 and under. Try the freshly squeezed lemonade or limeade for a refreshing treat. If beer or wine is your thing, you can have that, too. If you somehow have room for dessert, I highly recommend the “frozen hot chocolate”, which simply has to be tasted to be appreciated.
“Snappin”
Before I end this, let me explain where the term “snappin’” comes from: Steve’s hot dogs have a natural casing, and are prepared in such a way that the outside skin “snaps” when you bite it. I’ve had plenty of hot dogs in my time, and it’s true that the best ones come from back east. You’ll love the fact that Steve’s imports its direct from New Jersey.
You must go and find out for yourself why Steve’s has received so many awards and positive reviews – including Westword’s “Best Hot Dogs” and 5280’s “101 Dining Experiences Every Denverite Must Have.” Their menu is online at www.stevessnappindogs.com.
Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs. 3525 E. Colfax @ Monroe. (303) 333-SNAP. Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in summer. Eat indoors, or on their heated patio. For all you hungry rugby fans, Steve’s recently opened a second location inside Glendale’s Infiniti Park.
Closing
I hate to be the bearer of bad news again, but we’ve recently lost yet another neighborhood restaurant: Senior Rita’s has closed, and they will be missed.
By Chere Martin
Social networking continues to be a hot topic all over the globe. Now, locally, there is a relatively new networking site dedicated to small and medium size businesses in the Denver area: Buzzherd.com.
Buzzherd was created by Ian McManus and launched in March 2007. “I was frustrated trying to market my business using sites like MySpace,” says Ian. “There were few businesses and no tools designed specifically for what I wanted to do. I thought it would be great to network online in a business owner community rather than just a social arena that everyone is on.”
The fact that Buzzherd is dedicated to businesses rather than the individual, makes it a unique online community. What makes it useful to this crowd is the array of free tools available to enhance their ability to define, meet, and establish the relationships they want.
Profile — When you start your free account, your profile allows you to describe your business, include contact information (users can access maps for directions from your listing) and describe the types of contacts you want to make.
Directory — This lists all businesses at Buzzherd. You can select the areas in which you want you business to be listed.
Your Herd page (a.k.a.: Buzzherd website)— Whether you have an existing website or know that you need to have one, you can have a branded site through Buzzherd that can be accessed by members and non-members alike. Ian and his team can help you set up a custom URL and you’re able to add functions such as multiple pages, a calendar, blog, events or even a forum. Buzzherd calls their websites “herds.” Members can join your herd if they want to stay in touch with your business and this is where the networking power really takes hold. You’re able to send messages to everyone who has joined your herd and you can receive messages from those herds you have joined.
Blog — For Buzzherd members, it’s a place to share information about what your company is doing. Perhaps you have thoughts on business trends. Maybe you’d like to share a breakthrough moment in a tough project. Maybe you want to share details on a sale at your store. Your blog can be as powerful as your imagination allows it to become.
Like all the free networking sites, there are additional services you can purchase with Buzzherd to enhance your reach. One example is that you can buy one of three of top placements in the industry listing of your choice for one year for only $500. Some of the other packages available reinvest part of the cost directly into Google pay-per-click marketing. When asked why a local business on a budget should consider advertising with Buzzherd, Ian says, “With over 2,200 members and an average of 10 new business owners signing up everyday, we are clearly becoming known as the premier online network.” As a specific example, he adds, “A new chiropractor advertiser has been on the site one month and has already gotten two leads as a result of her advertisement on Buzzherd.”
If you want to promote your business — whether it’s a medium size enterprise or a part time hobby you want to turn pro — consider reaching out to the greater Denver business community via Buzzherd. Says Ian, “We really want Denver businesses to thrive so everything we do is directed at helping our members succeed at what we each do best.”
Byline
Form or join a group of local residents and businesses that have strong reputations looking to build their businesses through referrals.
We are currently looking to bring our group to about 40 people with only one person from each trade that live or work in nearby neighborhoods to Mayfair. We want people who are great at what they do, and are willing to help others through referrals.
We are working through an organization called BNI, Business Networking International, which you can learn more about here.
If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact me at 303-322-4993 or ken.blair@edwardjones.com.
Here’s to a flourishing community!
