Table Talk for March 29, 2005

Raw deal…Tonight, March 29, marks Jax Fish House’s third annual “Charitable Mollusk” oyster-eating contest. Slurp down as many raw oysters as you can stomach in 90 seconds and raise money for the Young Fund—an organization supporting the children and families of Children’s Hospital (participants must raise $250 in sponsorship fees). Last year, two-time winner Steve “Guido” Orth sucked down 99 oysters in 90 seconds…um, yuck. Jax hopes to raise $5,000 this year—and the top oyster eater wins a weekend getaway to Las Vegas. You can still sign up…7 p.m. Jax Fish House, 1539 17th St., 303-292-5767.

Fouled out…OK, so mega-sports bar ESPN Zone has a bazillion big-screen TVs on which to watch the NCAA Final Four games. But there are plenty of other locally owned spots that give the place a run for its money—and don’t charge a $10 food and beverage minimum per customer per hour. Come on guys, that’s no way to win fans. 1187 16th St., 303-595-3776, www.espnzone.com.

Happy birthday to you…This week the Broker Restaurant celebrates its 33rd birthday with dinner prices circa 1972. Nine all-inclusive meals range from $9.75 to $14.95 and include entrée, soup or salad, dessert—and of course the famous all-you-can-eat shrimp bowl. Bring a crisp $20 and receive change back, now that’s cheap eats. Rollback prices last through dinner this Friday. 821 17th St., 303-292-5065.

Don’t mess with Texas…Thanks to The Texas Tea House, it smells like chow time in Highland. At this local barbecue joint, we like the free salt-water taffy at the counter and the pickled okra skewer that comes alongside the saucy barbecued meats. But interestingly enough, they don’t sell sweet tea. Now isn’t that barbecue sacrilege? Try out the Tea House and let us know what you think. 3617 W. 32nd Ave., 303-455-1227.

Table Talk is 5280‘s weekly free newsletter highlighting Denver’s latest restaurant and dining news. To receive Table Talk and other 5280 newsletters before they’re posted online, subscribe here.