Starting as a food trailer in Miami’s artsy Wynwood district, The Salty is credited with sparking a gourmet donut revolution in South Florida. On September 27th, they’ll open their first location in the West, landing in Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood. Their arrival on Tennyson Street cements the area’s status as Denver’s most glittery breakfast and brunch district, featuring local favorites like Bakery Four, Blackbelly Market, and Wendell’s, along with popular Northeast brands like Call Your Mother and Two Hands — all packed into a four-block radius, and all opening (or re-opening) within the last 4 years.
With a glut of early riser options on Berkeley’s most walkable street — already crammed with Millennial-coded restaurants nestled between microbreweries and cryptically named workout studios (add a series of numbers, it’s fine) — it begs the question: does Denver really need one more right here, right now? Is there enough coffee to drain into Hydroflask tumblers to keep all these businesses afloat? I don’t have all the answers, but on one hand it feels like it’s devolving into Anywhere USA for influencers, while on the other it’s nice to have options and these places are kinda nice. I’m both scared and a little obsessed.
For now, The Salty (which is literally next to a Sweetgreen) is positive about the location of their newest store and their ability to stand out. “Our goal is to create items that make you do a double take,” says CMO Danny Pizarro, brother of The Salty co-founder Amanda Pizarro, in an email. He praises team members Audrey Scheib, Director of BOH Operations, and Director of Pastry Innovation Ashley Ginsberg, who adapt culinary trends to local tastes: “They’ve got this magical ability to turn even the simplest idea into something that’s both imaginative and technically impressive.” A prime example: a soon-to-be-released Pineapple Upside Down Suprême Croissant, inspired by the viral spiral-shaped pastry from Lafayette Grand Bakery and Café in New York.
Founded in 2015 by couple Amanda Pizarro and Andy Rodriguez, The Salty started with donut recipes developed by industry veteran Chef Max Santiago. Since then, the family-run brand has expanded to 16 locations across the Southeast, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, and now Colorado. (Santiago left the business in 2017, shortly after the opening of their first brick-and-mortar store.)
The new shop at 3985 Tennyson Street boasts a sleek design of white oak and black metal accents, and will showcase a rotating selection of sweet treats. Customers can look forward to the signature 24-hour brioche Traditional Glazed and Brown Butter & Salt vanilla bean cake donuts, along with staples like the pale green Candied Pistachio & White Chocolate and a Pumpkin Pie Cake topped with crushed pie crust, just in time for fall. Across the board, they are all pretty dang good.
This location will also debut The Salty’s first-ever croissants and breakfast sandwiches. “While a donut can be a treat, sometimes you need something more substantial to start your day,” Pizarro says. The hope is Denver-exclusive items like the Everything Bagel Croissant, filled with homemade whipped cream cheese, and the Potato Egg & Cheese Turnover, wrapped in puff pastry and finished with Maldon sea salt, will appeal to on-the-go customers looking for heartier options to complement their donut and coffee orders.
In addition to unique offerings, the cafe aims to win diners over with its seamless customer experience and a strong commitment to quality. “Everything is homemade and, most importantly, without preservatives,” Pizarro adds. “Ultimately, we embrace the challenge of being artisanal at scale.”
The Salty
3985 Tennyson Street, Suite 100
Denver, CO
Disclosure: I attended a hosted media preview. My coverage remains entirely independent.