I think I can truly say that the restaurant Bang! in the Highlands has been the most surprising dining experience I have had in Denver. For starters, the name threw me off completely. Hearing a word like Bang! most likely would make anyone think of vibrant, spicy food. In reality Bang! is know for it’s Southern style comfort food such as hush puppies, country fried chicken, and meatloaf.
After discovering that Bang! is famous for its meatloaf I was sure it was not the place for me. I grew up eating meatloaf that was made exactly like my mom’s famous Italian meatballs, which is a coveted secret recipe by anyone who has tasted her cooking. Knowing that this was one of Bang’s specialties, we decided to order the meatloaf that comes with a side of mashed potatoes and Bang’s own ketchup. With my nose still turned up a bit when our food came I sliced off a piece of the meatloaf, made sure I had a good amount of ketchup on it, and sampled the feared dish. Well, as they might say it in the South, “that is some fahn meatloaf.” I will also admit to being a bit of a ketchup snob knowing that nothing really beats Heinz, but Bang’s ketchup was a great addition.
I was also surprised to find that Bang! is located in an old house where you don’t enter through the front door, but you squeeze through a narrow passageway to the back. You then enter through the patio in the backyard. It is a small house, filled with local artwork for sale on the walls and tables and chairs situated in little nooks and crannies. With painted walls and interesting artwork, I do have to say that Bang! fits the eclectic, artsy-fartsy atmosphere of the Highlands.
I highly recommend taking a trip to this restaurant. It is quite the surprise, which I guess is the true meaning of the word Bang!
Tips and Info:
- Bang! has been featured in Denver’s 5280 Magazine.
- If you are heading to Bang! be sure to take the time to enjoy the uniqueness of the Highlands. It is a charming area filled with boutiques, privately owned coffee shops, used bookstores, and some of Denver’s trendiest places to eat. Check out the Highlands website to find out about the street fair.
Take a look at the simple Bang! website to preview their menu.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
@Angela Thank you so much (albeit a little late) for posting the recipe and link; that sauce is GREAT!!!
Although we had it without the dried guajillo chili because I could not find one. But I’d like to know, is there an alternative that is easier to find in grocery stores (one that has the same heat score or less (2,500/-) ? Thanks!
@Lynn: I don’t have the exact recipe for their meatloaf, but I watched the show and wrote down what ingredients were used in Bang!’s meatloaf and you could make it by trial and error to figure out the right ratio of ingredients (I haven’t attempted this, instead I modified my own recipe to incorporate some of their ideas)!
List of Ingredients
————————–
diced onions
diced celery
diced carrots
garlic
black pepper
salt
ground beef
bread crumbs
eggs
worstershire sauce
bacon (for top of meatloaf)
I did write down that their meatloaf cooked at 350 degrees F for three hours. However, the length of cooking time WILL vary based on the ratio of ingredients; especially since this was a restaurant-size meatloaf. I hope this helps!
ANYONE HAVE THE MEATLOAF RECIPE FROM BANG?
From Bang! facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/bang/301672014809
bang! ketchup
2 ripe roma tomatoes
¾ cup raisins
1 seeded and stemmed dried guajillo chili
¼ cup cup brown sugar
¼ cup white champagne vinegar
1 whole garlic clove
¼ cup chopped yellow onion
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 cups water
Place all ingredients into a large stock pot, bring to a boil. Turn down to a simmer, and cook for about 45 minutes. Vegetables, raisins, and chili should be very soft, and the liquids should be reduced. Cool. Blend in batches until very smooth, strain through a sieve or china cap.
bang! ketchup will keep for weeks in the refrigerator.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Inactive prep time: 45 minutes
Easy of preparation: easy
# of servings: makes 1 quart
RECIPE TITLE / COURTESY OF
bang! ketchup / Jeff Oakley and Cissy Olderman
DINER, DRIVE-IN OR DIVE NAME, CITY AND STATE
bang! Denver, Colorado
I saw Bang! featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives just earlier this evening (Episode: Southern Flavor). My husband and I live too far away to visit this fabulous looking restaurant. However, if anyone knows the recipe for that Bang! ketchup, I would LOVE to try it out!