Parker: Here's a Super taste of that toddlin' town

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 31, 2007 at midnight

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Joe Margotte celebrates all teams Chicago: da Bulls, da White Sox, da Cubs, da Blackhawks, and this weekend . . . da Bears.

Margotte, owner for 10 years of the Lakewood eatery Chicago, says he's ready for the calls this week from other displaced Chicagoans looking to celebrate the Bears' run at the Super Bowl in true hometown style.

Margotte - who when I asked his age, replied, "Oh my gaaaaaaaaaaaahd!" - has been at his current location at 6680 W. Colfax Ave. for five years, dispensing Italian beef sandwiches, Vienna Hot Dogs, Fannie May candies, Salerno Butter Cookies, Jay's Potato Chips and Green River to the faithful.

"Every employee here is from Chicago," Margotte says, flattening the A. "My wife, two daughters, a son, grandsons, granddaughters work here. That's it."

The Chicago restaurant patriarch says his family had been coming in and out of Denver for 30 years before relocating here permanently. "It seemed that every time we spent time here one of the kids became enamored with it. When we decided to get out of Chicago permanently, we decided to come out here."

Margotte says he opened the restaurant because "we were starved for Chicago food. Ninety percent of our clientele are from the Chicago metro area and the 300-mile perimeter surrounding Chicago."

That would include Colts fans.

Italian beef sandwiches are by far the best seller. "This is a networking place for Chicago people," he said, adding that since the restaurant doesn't have a liquor license, he'll do mostly take-out business on Super Bowl Sunday.

"The phone has been ringing hot and heavily," he said. "We put a package together - the beef, the buns, both peppers, the au jus and anything else you want."

And his prediction for the winner of da Bears vs. the Colts?

"People will be disappointed in Indianapolis, but that's the way the ball bounces," he said.

Chicago hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to close this Sunday. Phone: 303-233-0500.

WINNING OVER WINFREY: When the Big O turned 53 on Monday, how did the daytime talk-show diva celebrate? Oprah scarfed down a slice of double-fudge three-layer cake from Denver- based GoCakeGo.com.

GoCakeGo cake queen KieAnn Brownell is targeting certain celeb b-days to market her year-old company that delivers a party in a green box, including cake, napkins, plates, forks, candles, confetti and a cake server for $69.99 (including shipping).

Also on her "hit" list: Sarah Jessica Parker, Ellen DeGeneres and our own Mayor John Hickenlooper, who turns double nickels on lucky seven, Feb. 7.

PAJAMA GAME: Have you ever wanted to see Mayor Hickenlooper, hotel honcho Walter Isenberg or real estate mogul Evan Makovsky in their PJs?

Me neither.

But you can join these Denver do-gooders and come as if you were going to bed during the second annual Pajama Party, benefiting Denver's Road Home, the city's 10-year plan to end homelessness.

The PJ party goes from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday at The Residence Inn by Marriott Denver City Center, 1725 Champa St. Book a suite or buy tickets at denversroadhome.org.

EAVESDROPPING: Sent in by a reader: "I think we should callpotholes Loop-holes, after the mayor."

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail parkerp@RockyMoun tainNews.com.

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