In a city known for its dynamic food scene, SAME Café stands apart—not for trendy dishes or celebrity chefs, but for its unwavering commitment to community. An acronym for So All May Eat, SAME Café is the country’s longest-running participation-based restaurant where diners pay what they can afford for their food. Founded by Brad and Libby Birky, it operates on a simple yet powerful mission: ensure everyone has access to a nutritious meal, regardless of their ability to pay.
In 2023 alone, SAME Café provided 28,000 meals to Denverites, a record-breaking effort made possible by the generosity of volunteers, donors, and local partners. Executive director and chef Carrie Shores credits this collective effort to the café’s longevity. “Donations of time, money, and produce are incredibly important—we truly mean that those three things are why the café is still here after eighteen years,” she says.
At SAME Café, community isn’t just a concept; it’s built into every aspect of the dining experience. Volunteers, from first-timers to seasoned regulars, handle everything from chopping vegetables to cleaning, and at the end of each shift, they sit down to share a meal. It’s a tradition that reinforces the café’s core belief: food is a bridge that connects people from all walks of life.
SAME Café’s impact is not confined to its cozy location on Colfax. From 2019 to 2023, it operated a food truck to reach those who could not make it to the café. When the truck broke down last year, replacing it became an immediate necessity. Shores emphasizes that acquiring a new food truck is critical to expanding its reach and ensuring no one is left without a meal. Donations toward this initiative are invaluable, allowing the café to bring nutritious meals directly to communities in need. Every contribution, big or small, plays a role in ensuring that SAME Café continues to meet people where they are.
Supporting SAME Café takes many different forms. “Volunteering in the kitchen, donating funds or fresh produce, or simply spreading the word on social media all make a difference,” Shores says. Denverites can also engage by subscribing to the café’s newsletter or attending the restaurant’s innovative monthly chef takeover series, where local chefs step into the kitchen to craft a unique menu.
SAME Café is more than a restaurant; it’s a reminder that food can be a force for change. Every meal served is an opportunity to uplift, and every act of support strengthens its mission built on dignity, generosity, and shared humanity.
