Copyright Westword
Jim Pittenger has had a tumultuous couple of years. Known to many as “Biker Jim,” he’s earned his place among Denver’s culinary greats, slinging dogs since 2005 and earning a fan in Anthony Bourdain. But last summer, he stepped away from the business he’d built over nearly two decades after a partnership turned sour. Since then, he’s been slowly rebuilding after reclaiming his brand; next month, the new evolution of Biker Jim’s will move into Avanti Denver. “After the last couple of years, I’ve been pretty gunshy about opening a brick-and-mortar, but Avanti is just perfect,” Pittenger says. “It’s got all the advantages of a brick-and-mortar without having to break out $200,000 and jump through all the city’s hoops.” Avanti, which remodeled its first floor this year, recently introduced another new concept, Berliner House. Biker Jim’s Bikers and Bakers will be taking over the space currently occupied by Eloise, which is set to move at the end of the month. Pittenger is aiming for an official opening on November 8. Along with a lineup of his signature sausages, his new stall will serve a variety of brunch options on weekends and desserts — items that he’s been having a lot of fun developing. Ideas include a coffee and cream cake, a savory Benedict-inspired Dutch Baby pancake, and a chicken and waffle cone. While it’s easy to train new staff on hot-dog making, Pittenger notes that the new items will take a little more skill. “So you’ll see a lot of me down there for the first couple months,” he says. In the meantime, Pittenger has been keeping busy, slinging sausages at various markets over the summer and providing food for large events, which he plans to continue. “I love doing Convention Center stuff,” he says. “It’s been a nice respite from the day-in-day-out restaurant drudge.” But he’s also happy to have found a place where fans can easily get a Biker Jim’s fix anytime. “I’m so excited,” he concludes. “It’s perfect.”
