Often times, the best restaurants are the ones that are the most unassuming. I love finding a little treasure of a restaurant with a small sign, few tables and a location in a storefront that’s usually tucked into a strip mall. Maybe places like this just try harder to be good because they have to. Or maybe it just amuses them to be successful without paying exorbitant rent or spending a lot for fancy décor and slick uniforms. Whatever it is, I’m always glad to discover them.It’s with some trepidation that I share the secret of a little treasure of an Asian restaurant in East Denver, lest they become so successful, they no longer recognize me when I call or come in (they are as loyal to their neighbors as their neighbors are to them!).Sweet Rice Cafe is located in a tiny strip mall between 9th and 10th on Jersey Street in East Denver. The place is tiny with one table outside and one work table inside with a chair and some old magazines. You aren’t meant to eat there – it’s really just a place to stop and wait a bit until your order is ready. The rest of the space is devoted to the very busy kitchen behind the counter. It’s fascinating to watch and even better to smell.Clockwise from the top, BBQ Pork Fried Rice, Hot and Sour Soup, Mung Bean Thread Noodles and Sesame Chicken. Truly, a happy meal.
We’ve been eating there for nearly all of their 20 years in business and the quality of the food has remained consistently wonderful. Our all time favorite dish is the Sesame Chicken, tender chicken bits made crispy and candied. It’s divine. That is followed closely in our unending devotion to the BBQ Pork Fried Rice. You have to get that particular one as opposed to regular pork, beef, chicken or combo. The smokiness of the BBQ Pork is so good. Egg Fu Young, made with fat patties of egg and bean sprouts are the best we’ve ever had. A recent discovery, the Mung Bean Thread Noodles with red pepper, chicken, pork and shrimp was dense and filling, full of flavor. Mongolian Beef and Chicken Lo Mein Noodles are consistently good. Even the egg rolls are delicious, perfectly sized, light and crispy without long shreds of cabbage that fall out of your mouth creating terribly embarrassing moments!
Sweet Rice does deliver within a small radius but it’s better to call in your order ahead of time and go in to pick it up. That ensures it will be hot and that you’ll have a chance to watch the action of multiple woks working in full force. Make the effort to try out Sweet Rice. Just don’t tell anyone else about it. Let it be your little secret too.
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