- Davies’ Chuck Wagon Diner on West Colfax Avenue in Lakewood has been serving comfort food since 1957 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- The chicken fried steak with bold, savory gravy has built a loyal fanbase that drives from across Colorado just for a taste.
- Beyond the legendary steak, the menu delivers hash browns, breakfast burritos, milkshakes, and seasonal specials that all earn rave reviews.
- With a 4.5-star rating from over 2,000 reviews, this multigenerational diner is widely considered one of Colorado’s best-kept secrets.
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — From the outside, Davies’ Chuck Wagon Diner looks like nothing special.
It sits quietly along West Colfax Avenue, unassuming and easy to drive past. But pull in, walk through the door, and you will quickly understand why people travel from across the entire state to eat here.
This place has been doing it right since 1957.
The Chicken Fried Steak That Started It All
If Davies has one dish that made its reputation, it is the chicken fried steak — and reviewers are not shy about saying so.
The breading is perfectly crisp, locking in juicy flavor with every bite.
But the real star is the gravy. One reviewer put it best: the gravy here actually adds real, bold flavor instead of just sitting on top of the steak. That is a rare thing, and Davies nails it every single time.
Whether you order it for breakfast or lunch, it arrives hot, generous in size, and ready to impress.
Pair it with crispy hash browns or warm biscuits and you have got a meal that stays with you long after you leave.
A Diner That Is Actually a Piece of American History
Walking up to Davies feels like stepping into a time machine — because it basically is one.
Built in 1957, this cowboy-themed diner is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is not trying to look vintage. It simply is vintage, right down to the worn booths, the classic signage, and the legendary horse out front that customers love.
One traveler from North Carolina said she had the diner on her wishlist for years and it exceeded every expectation.
When a restaurant has stood for nearly 70 years and still draws crowds, it is clearly doing something very right.
The Gravy That Changes Everything
Most diners serve gravy that is fine. It is white, it is warm, and it does not offend anyone.
Davies does something completely different.
Customers who have tried chicken fried steak at diners across Colorado consistently say Davies’ gravy stands apart. It is thick, well-seasoned, and built to complement the crispy steak — not just cover it up.
The biscuits and gravy earn their own praise too, with one reviewer calling them fantastic even while admitting the photo did not do them justice.
Good gravy turns a good meal into a great one. Davies clearly understands that.
Hash Browns That Have Their Own Fan Club
Hash browns sound simple. Getting them truly right is harder than most kitchens want to admit.
At Davies, whoever runs the griddle takes the time to do it properly. The outside gets that deep golden crunch. The inside stays soft and tender. One reviewer ranked them the best out of five diners visited in a single trip.
That is the gold standard of diner hash browns, and Davies hits it consistently.
Order a side. You will not regret it.
The Chuckwagon Sirloin for When You Want Something More
For anyone who wants to go beyond eggs and toast, the Chuckwagon Sirloin is an easy call.
One reviewer ordered it on their first morning, could not stop thinking about it, and came back the very next day. Paired with eggs, toast, and those legendary hash browns, it is less of a breakfast and more of a reward.
Portions are generous. Prices are fair. And the steak is cooked to order with that classic diner energy that feels both familiar and special.
A Breakfast Burrito That Rivals Denver’s Best
Bold claim: more than one customer has said the Mega Burrito at Davies is on par with some of the best breakfast burritos in all of Denver.
In a city that takes its burritos seriously, that is not a small statement.
Stuffed generously and packed with flavor, it is the kind of meal that makes lunch feel unnecessary. Reviewers praise the quality, the size, and the value — all three landing at the same time.
Add a cup of Davies’ coffee, which multiple customers have called some of the best diner coffee they have ever had, and your morning is sorted.
The Pork Tenderloin Sandwich: A Hidden Gem
Not everyone comes for the chicken fried steak. Regulars who know the menu well often head straight for the pork tenderloin sandwich.
Thin, crispy, and served on a brioche bun, it hits all the right notes. You might not expect a classic cowboy diner to execute this dish so well, but Davies pulls it off confidently every time.
It is affordable, filling, and genuinely delicious. A great choice for anyone looking to explore beyond the breakfast plates.
Strawberry Crepes: Unexpected and Unforgettable
Strawberry crepes at a cowboy-themed diner sounds like an odd pairing — until you try them.
One visitor described them as wonderful and noted that Davies is clearly not just resting on its historic reputation. The kitchen is actively working to make every dish memorable.
Light, flavorful, and sitting comfortably alongside biscuits and gravy on the same menu, the crepes are a small surprise that leaves a big impression.
Pumpkin Pancakes in Fall: Basically Mandatory
When fall arrives in Colorado, Davies brings out pumpkin pancakes — and regulars plan around it.
The batter is fluffy. The pumpkin flavor is warm without being overwhelming. One reviewer called the experience amazing and started planning a return visit immediately.
If you visit during fall and skip the pumpkin pancakes, you will spend all winter thinking about what could have been.
The Reuben Sandwich for Lunch Done Right
Breakfast gets most of the attention at Davies, but the lunch menu holds its own.
The Reuben sandwich is layered with corned beef, melted cheese, sauerkraut, and dressing on toasted rye. Reviewers who ventured into the lunch menu called it very good and surprisingly close to the real thing.
Paired with fries and one of Davies’ milkshakes, it is a lunch that delivers every bit as much as breakfast.
Milkshakes That Take You Back
No diner experience is complete without a milkshake, and Davies takes that seriously.
The Oreo milkshake earned top marks from a visitor who had been comparing shakes across multiple diners. Thick, creamy, and loaded with real Oreo flavor — it is exactly what a diner milkshake should be.
A chocolate vanilla shake also gets regular mentions in reviews. Whether you are washing down a massive chicken fried steak or just stopping in for something sweet, the milkshakes here deliver.
Order one. Let nostalgia do the rest.
Service That People Actually Remember
Great food matters. Great service makes people come back.
One reviewer praised their server Jeremiah so enthusiastically that they said they would return specifically to be guided through the menu by him again. Servers at Davies are described as knowledgeable, warm, and attentive — the kind of staff that makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit.
In a world of rushed, impersonal dining, Davies reminds you what genuine hospitality actually feels like.
A Diner That Spans Generations
Some restaurants are popular. Others become part of a family’s story.
Davies belongs firmly in the second category. One reviewer shared that their parents brought them here as a baby, and now they bring their own child. That kind of multigenerational loyalty is not built by accident.
Located at 9495 W Colfax Ave in Lakewood, Davies is open daily from 6 AM to 3 PM. With a 4.5-star rating from over 2,000 reviews, Colorado has made its opinion very clear.
This diner is a treasure — and one well worth finding.
Have you been to Davies’ Chuck Wagon Diner, or do you have a favorite Colorado diner that deserves more attention? Share it in the comments — someone else is looking for their next great meal.
