Sam's No. 3, Downtown
25 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/denverfood, r/Denver30 comments cited below
What people say, in short
People recommend Sam's No. 3 for brunch across its Denver outlets; the one shown here is the downtown diner at Curtis and 15th. A few recommendations come as answers to a question about brunch near the performing arts center. One diner describes the downtown diner as roomy with a full bar in back and above-average food, and another says it is plain but does everything well. Some call the food mediocre, one says it does not match the vibe they wanted, and one found the bloody Marys watered down at the Cherry Creek outlet.
Address
Sam's No. 3, 1500 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80202
At a glance
- Best for
- Brunch
- Opinions divided
- Yes
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Sam's No. 3, Downtown, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/katachol in r/denverfood · Sep 2026
Gives Sam's No. 3 as the single pick.
- Mixedu/1s35bm7 in r/denverfood · Mar 2025taste
Calls Sam's a Denver icon but says the food is mediocre.
- Recommendsu/carsnbikesnstuff in r/denverfood · Feb 2025
Gives Sam's No 3 as a direct, unqualified pick.
- Recommendsu/hi-marg in r/denverfood · Sep 2026ambience
Tentatively suggests Sam's No 3 as a more relaxed brunch pick.
- Recommendsu/SquashPrevious4388 in r/denverfood · Feb 2025
Says Sam's is the better choice over the syrup suggestions.
- Recommendsu/Lamescrnm in r/denverfood · Oct 2025portion
Says the bloody mary at Sam's #3 is pretty much a full meal on its own.
- Recommendsu/Gryffyxx in r/denverfood · Apr 2025
Recommends it with enthusiasm.
- Recommendsu/Hulahulaman in r/denverfood · May 2024
Suggests it as a walk-by option if you want a diner-style meal.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Recommendsu/lemonade12_ in r/Denver · Nov 2025
Names Sam's No 3 as the answer to the brunch question.
- Recommendsu/Known-Cranberry-3345 in r/Denver · Apr 2025
Names Sam's #3 alongside Lucile's as a direct answer to the solo question.
- Recommendsu/MrMCCO in r/denverfood · Mar 2025taste
Says Sam's suits huge diner portions and argues it serves some of Denver's best diner food.
- Recommendsu/Teacherheyteacher123 in r/denverfood · Jun 2024
Suggests this place among its brunch picks.
- Recommendsu/TheeternalTacocaT in r/denverfood · Sep 2026taste
Singles out the burrito there as a quintessentially Colorado dish.
- Recommendsu/cynindenver in r/denverfood · Sep 2026
Agrees Sam's No. 3 is the right pick.
- Recommendsu/overseer07 in r/denverfood · Dec 2025variety
Says the place has essentially everything, offered as the brunch answer.
- Recommendsu/MaskedDummy in r/Denver · Nov 2025
Names Sam's No 3 as the brunch pick.
- Recommendsu/Autodidact2 in r/Denver · Nov 2025ambience
Recommends it.
- Caveatu/Downtown-Dog-2169 in r/denverfood · Mar 2025taste
Agrees that Sam's is mediocre.
- Recommendsu/demoticusername in r/denverfood · Jan 2025variety
Says Sam's no 3 is also downtown and has veggie-friendly options.
- Recommendsu/Accomplished-Eye4207 in r/denverfood · Sep 2024
Named as a direct answer to the boozy brunch request, with no further detail given.
- Recommendsu/Glindanorth in r/denverfood · May 2024taste
Had a standout loaded bloody here recently and found it satisfying though casual.
- Recommendsu/guin-and-tonic in r/denverfood · Sep 2026taste
Notes Sam's No. 3 has appealing brunch menu options.
- Recommendsu/JaguarUnfair1555 in r/denverfood · Sep 2026
Names Sam's No. 3 among good brunches and calls it an old Denver diner.
- Recommendsu/Belnak in r/denverfood · Dec 2025variety
Mentions the chicken and waffles, offered with tenders or bone-in chicken.
- Mixedu/MidwestraisedCOlady in r/Denver · Nov 2025wait time
Agrees Sam's No 3 works, but only for diners with flexible timing.
- Recommendsu/Loydx in r/denverfood · May 2024
Recommends the Cherry Creek location, which they go to.
- Recommendsu/Raoul-Duke71 in r/denverfood · Oct 2025ambience
Says the downtown diner feels roomy, has a back bar and TVs, and serves above-average food.
- Mixedu/BandicootRich6243 in r/denverfood · Nov 2024ambience
Likes this spot but says it does not match the vibe the asker wants.
- Recommendsu/abthomps in r/denverfood · May 2024
Calls it plain, but says it does everything well.
- Caveatu/marshmallowsunset420 in r/denverfood · May 2024taste
Had the Cherry Creek bloodies on two visits and found them watered down and unpleasant.
Also on
Sam's No. 3, Downtown is on other maps too, with what people said about it there.
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Freshness
Details last checked 13 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.