This is the best idea for a restaurant I have ever heard of. I have been here a couple of times and always encourage my friends to go. I always get the salad.
They tell you that you can pay or not or work in the kitchen to pay for your food. I always pay what I would and throw in an extra few dollars to the organization. So I probably pay more for lunch here than I would anywhere else but it is all worth it.
Plus the best part is that the food is actually really tasty.
Plenty of seating and tables.
There are tons of five star reviews for this place. They are well deserved.
Cafe 180 is definitely a place to go if you want to eat well and feel better. The restaurant operates as a nonprofit organization, so they can afford to take whatever you feel like paying for a HUGE lunch. Or if you have a spare couple hours - you can volunteer your time to cover the bill. Even when offered three choices from soups, salads, sandwiches, and pizzas I could only choose two without feeling like I was going to roll out of the place.
Shockingly for the concept, but not for the neighborhood, Cafe 180 looks like your normal quickserv bistro lunch spot. The clientele ranges from the straight up homeless with cart to white collar office folk - with us DU students in the middle. The food is very tasty, although the pizza was a bit cold. Then again, because of the concept I am inclined to cut them some slack. The metal cups for drinks was kinda weird - but metal does wash easily, it doesn't break, and is almost infinitely reusable - so again I cut them some slack.
It is definitely worth a visit, especially if you have some time...
I was looking for a lunch place to meet a friend and Cafe 180 was convenient for us both. The concept is fantastic and the vibe is really interesting. Everyone there was very friendly. I had 1/2 berry salad and a cup of cheddar broccoli soup and they were both delicious. My friend had the meatball sandwich and the apple walnut salad and she enjoyed her lunch, too. You can choose anything on the menu, any combination of the items offered, that will fit on your plate. The food is great and it's a good cause. I highly recommend this place for lunch!
Review Source:Cafe 180 promotes a great cause with great food. During my first visit I enjoyed a delightfully fresh spinach and artichoke thin crust pizza with a side of fruit. I liked it so much, I just had to visit again. During my second visit I enjoyed a large mediterranean salad. The greens were fresh and crisp and the dressing was light and flavorful. I'd become a regular if I lived closer to Englewood.
Review Source:This is an awesome idea for a restaurant. This operates for a non-profit organization. The concept of you paying what you think it's worth is a cool thing. You can order anything on the menu in any kind of combination. I had 1/2 Cesar wrap and 1/2 meatball sandwich. The food was good, not amazing.
I enjoyed this place though and will go back again. People were very friendly and it was good to see those in need being helped out.
Cafe 180 is very close to my office so I must have driven past this place 100 times before going inside. I had heard of the concept, but honestly was a little nervous to try, just because I was thinking it would kinda have the soup kitchen vibe... Boy was I wrong.
I love this place, love the idea, its a cute hip lunch spot. Â I also love seeing all the different people volunteering. I have also seen the idea of "if you can't pay give an hour of service" every time I'm there and I think its such a wonderful idea.
Fresh healthy food, and I haven't had a bad meal yet. I love the meatball sandwich and the tomato basil soup. Stop by and give it a try.. guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
It was only in Denver that I heard of a "Pay What You Can" or "Pay What You Will" concept. If you can't afford enough, you are asked to volunteer your time and help out around the establishment. Its surprising to think that the condition of the place surpasses that of other well-established brands.The food is always fresh and tasty a well as affordable. I love their salads and have tried their meatball sub sandwich. Generous portions along with seasonal ingredients. Will be back.
Review Source:I read an article about Cafe 180 last year and I thought it was an interesting concept. Basically, they have a 4-tier pricing structure for meals.
* Â Pay what you can
* Â Pay what you would typically pay
* Â Pay what you would typically pay, plus a bit more to "pay it forward"
* Â Pay by giving one hour of service
My friend an I arrived a few minutes after opening. Â The space (once a Spicy Pickle) is nice. Â They also have outdoor seating with removable sections to let in light and air. Â I must say, one can feel a little put on the spot trying to estimate what your meal is worth, plus a bit more. Â It is helpful that they have a sign showing the average.
I enjoyed a Mediterranean Salad, Buffalo Chicken Pizza, and Shrimp Gumbo soup. Â The salad was of the quality one would associate with a fine restaurant, and better than many would offer. Â The Buffalo Chicken Pizza was very fresh (they told me about milling their own flour). Â The Chicken was flavorful and looked like real chicken (not processed cubes), the crumbled blue cheese was intensely pungent, and there was a decent amount of heat to the buffalo sauce. Â I am kind of picky about pizza crust, and although this may have not been exactly to my preference, it was rather good, and not at all soggy. Â The pizza was well cooked. Â The gumbo had generous amounts of sausage, shrimp and rice. Â The flavors were good, and it was not at all "fishy". Â They also threw in a small (and tasty) chocolate chip cookie for dessert. Â Water and tea are free. Â I don't really like drinking water out of a metal cup. Â But, the water was clean and cold and I assume it is better for the environment to use metal cups.
I would consider this meal to be a close to perfect "fast casual" dining experience. Â The place is very clean. Â I assume this is due to the large number of volunteers who actually outnumbered the diners while I was there. Â I am eager to visit again, because the Meatball Sandwich I spotted on the way out looked amazing.
A friend and I stopped by yesterday for the first time. Â I am so impressed. Â I had never heard of this place or this restaurant concept.
I loved it. Â The pizza was great. Â My friend enjoyed his soup and salad and the place was spotless. Â The whole concept just amazes me...in a great way.
I will be back.
I happened upon this place through a Living Social type deal. I had no idea that this was a pay what you can restaurant. The food was good and it was really great seeing all the kids volunteering. We also witnessed firsthand their good charity being put to use. We not only saw a couple of homeless people being fed, but also working in exchange for that food. This is a really great cause.
Review Source:Great food, great concept. Â Pay what you can, pay extra to help others or work for an hour to cover your meal. Â The food is mostly organic and is purchased from Colorado farmers. Â My only disappointment is the distance from my house, but I'll definitely be back for good food and a good cause! Â My wife was worried it might be "scary" like going to a soup kitchen but it was bright, clean and welcoming. Â You could tell who was paying vs. working but everyone was polite and respectful. Â If only the whole world was like Cafe 180.
Review Source:wow.
I love that minds are changing and businesses are interested in feeding everyone. rich or poor.
Inspired by SAME cafe, cafe 180 is a heart felt organization with the intent to feed everyone, which i LOVED, along with the following things:
-the staff. so friendly, informative, and genuinely interested in making a difference. everyone had a smile on their face :)
-the food! all organic, locally grown, and prepared to perfection. I ate the Mediterranean salad, and a side of tomato bisque soup...yum! at any rate, you can load up your plate with anything, all handmade :)
-the "prices"...are actually not prices at all. "donations" are accepted, in the amount you can afford or want to donate. if money is an issue, payment in the form of time is greatly appreciated.
-the decor. bright pastel colors create an automatic smile as soon as you walk in, followed by an open kitchen, and fresh flowers on the tables.
overall, LOVE LOVE LOVE it here and will def return, and not just to eat :)
Heart-worthy!
This is the second "pay what you can" restaurant I've been to in Denver. The mission of both, affiliated restaurants, is to eliminate hunger and provide community members with the skills needed to work in the restaurant business.
Cafe 180 can always use donations of money and volunteer time. Please give generously. You will be doing something really important.
Now, to the restaurant and its food.
As others wrote, this is a bright breath of fresh air on Broadway, just north of Highway 285. It's next door to Starbucks, and offers both indoor and outdoor dining.
I love the lightly colored earth tones inside, and I think you will too. It's a very nifty, smart design. You order at the counter, pay what you feel you should (if you have money, kick in a decent amount to help them pay for the space... and please try to pay cash so they don't have to compensate the credit card companies for using plastic), and moments later, you have some of the best, organic and natural cuisine available in that and maybe the whole Denver Metro area, with Tokyo Joe's nearby a close second for the area.
The recipes are simple and the food tastes amazing. I walked at about 2pm. They had run out of most lunch items, like pizza and sandwiches, so I had some of the chicken enchilada soup and a Mediterranean salad. About the only negative thing I have to say is the portions were awfully small. But, each tasted delicious. As I understand, I could have asked for seconds; sadly, I had another stop to make soon after, and had to ask for my order to go.
The volunteers are kind, conscientious, and friendly. They are also happy to explain the concept and describe all the goodies on the menu.
A lot of heart went into conceiving and bringing Cafe 180 to Metro Denver. Please take this place to heart, stop in, and enjoy its awesome fare. You will not be disappointed, and the price is always right.
Please note, the restaurant is only open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch, which is from 11 am to 2 pm. It is only open on evenings for special events and rentals. If you need to rent a nice space that could handle about 100 people, I'm sure they will give you a great price.
Best of all, having lunch at Cafe 180 is good for the heart in more ways than one.
We are not in Englewood a lot, but we had heard about this place and stopped by for lunch on weekday. Â The style and atmosphere are great. Â Not what I expected from a "pay what you can" place. Â The salads, soup, and pizza all tasted fresh and full of flavor. Â
You cannot beat this place for a good tasting and feeling meal in Englewood.
This place really takes the cookie. Its a great concept to serve lunch to all, regardless of ability to pay, in a place with integrity. Believe me people this is no soup kitchen. With the  bright Qdoba type decor/ concept you never feel like your broke, or serving the homeless. This is a pay what you can, pay what you would or pay it forward concept. Just order your plate and drop your donation in the box. Comes with cookie, free ice tea too! And if you're starving they'll even give you seconds!
They feature AMAZING salads, soups, daily items and flat breads made from wheat they mill there! The food is fresh and donated by local farmers and urban gardens. Lots of their food is organic and healthy. The chef really knows how to throw down! EVERY soup I've had there is fine dining restaurant quality. The flat breads come in an array of combinations like greek, bbq pulled pork and more. The salads could be a fresh caeser or a apple and blue cheese! All fare is served on nice white dishes and glasses, so no slop on a tray or paper plate- remember integrity!
Cafe 180 is only open Tue-Sat until 2 so beware of your urges on a Sun or a Mon. You can also Volunteer here as they are mostly ran by volunteers so sign up people! Â Volunteers also get to eat before or after their shift! They also accept donations from all over! Â
When the weather is nice they have a great patio! So go check em out! Not only a great cause but a slamming lunch!
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,317 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,986 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
