After 18 years of serving up hot dogs, memories, and love, Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs is closing its doors on East Colfax. On Saturday, October 19, 2024, the iconic Denver spot, owned by Steve and Linda Ballas, will fire up the grill for the last time, marking the end of an era for both the Ballas family and loyal customers.
Since its opening in 2006, Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs has been a staple on East Colfax, serving up a variety of creative hot dogs. From Chicago Dogs to Steve’s personal New Jersey-inspired creations, the menu reflected a love for food that captured the hearts of locals. Steve, a former police officer, firefighter, and cancer survivor, ran the restaurant with his wife, Linda. However, due to Linda’s cancer returning, the couple made the difficult decision to step away from the business.
“It’s so bittersweet and overwhelming,” Steve shared, describing the emotional toll of closing the place that had become the couple’s life work. “To me, this is the American dream.”
Operating from a former gas station, Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs quickly became a favorite for those seeking a bite of nostalgia with every hot dog. The menu even featured the “Blinky the Clown Dog,” a tribute to the beloved local TV character, topped with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, tomato, and coleslaw. The restaurant not only served food but also brought back memories for customers, evoking childhood experiences through every bite.
But it wasn’t just the food that made Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs special — it was the passion behind it. “The secret ingredients for any good hot dog are simple: passion and love,” Steve said, emphasizing the importance of quality food and a genuine connection with customers. “You give somebody something that tastes good. Don’t screw them. Don’t give them some canned crap. Make something they like. Then, they will remember you forever.”
Though the East Colfax location is closing, the Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs outpost in Denver International Airport’s Terminal B will remain open for the next 18 to 24 months, offering travelers one last chance to grab a dog on the go.
After Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs shuts its doors, the space will transition to a new venture, Mama Jo’s Biscuits & BBQ, run by Ben and Jodi Polson. Mama Jo’s, originally a food truck, will take over the beloved location with plans to keep some of Steve’s dogs on the menu, along with the staff and the spirit that made it a Denver favorite. As Steve put it, “They will make their own legacy.”
Longtime customers, like Chris Perkins, have been stopping by for a final meal, tipping generously and reflecting on the many years spent enjoying Steve’s creations. “The new restaurant will keep this spirit alive. But it’s really sad to see them go,” Perkins said, after giving a $100 tip to the staff on his last visit.
First-time visitor Ezra Morales echoed the sentiments of many others who are feeling both happy and sad about the closure. “This hits pretty much everything I look for in a restaurant,” Morales shared. “I wish I had more time to appreciate the menu.”
As the final hot dogs are served, one thing is clear — Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs will live on in the hearts (and stomachs) of Denverites for years to come.