Dish Pit to Denver: Patrick Whalen on Building Restaurants with Soul - Church & Union
Release Date: 06/09/2025
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info_outlineIn this one-on-one episode of What’s Good Denver, host Ryan Estes sits down with Patrick Whalen, co-founder of Church & Union, one of Denver’s most exciting new restaurants, located in the historic Elmo Hotel building at 17th and Blake. From washing dishes to running a multi-city restaurant group, Patrick shares the real story behind his rise in the hospitality industry.
They dive into:
– Why LoDo stole Patrick’s heart
– The unexpected data behind Denver’s restaurant market resilience
– Building a restaurant with character—not just profit margins
– Navigating high labor costs, tip credit laws, and ticket surcharges
– Thoughts on Bourdain, Guy Fieri, Gordon Ramsay, and food as universal art
– How Church & Union aims to surprise, delight, and deeply connect with guests
Whether you're a restaurant lover, entrepreneur, or someone who just appreciates a damn good brunch, this episode is for you.
📍 Featured Spot:
Church & Union Denver – New American cuisine with bold design and serious flavor, now open in LoDo.
🔗 Mentioned:
– Dazzle Denver – Denver’s jazz institution
– Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club
– Kitcaster – Book Podcast Interviews
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