Jawnie's Cheesesteak Co. Will Open in Denver's Art District
The restaurant is scheduled to serve Philly-style cheesesteaks starting in the spring of 2027.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Jawnie's Cheesesteak Co., founded by Chris Sempeles and Kyle Pellman, will open a brick-and-mortar location at 674 Santa Fe Dr. by spring 2027. The business currently serves customers from a food truck located outside Meier Skis on South Broadway.
Why it matters
The owners launched the restaurant to address the limited availability of late-night dining options in Denver. They hope to provide a culinary experience modeled after East Coast traditions for local diners.
The new restaurant will offer cheesesteaks for $17 and vegetarian versions for $14, with sides like fries starting at $6. These menu items align with the establishment's goal of bringing East Coast-style dining to the Denver market.
The players
Chris Sempeles
He is a 37-year-old co-founder of Jawnie's Cheesesteak Co.
Kyle Pellman
He is a co-founder of the business and is collaborating on the new brick-and-mortar location.
Denver Water
This is the municipal agency responsible for replacing water infrastructure near the new restaurant site.
The details
After spending more than one year securing permits and completing a building renovation, the owners are preparing to open in the Art District on Santa Fe. The facility will also feature a back-of-house commissary kitchen available for future rental use.
Timeline
The owners launched their initial rental business in 2019.
Denver Water replaced pipes outside the restaurant site earlier in 2026.
The restaurant is scheduled to open for customers in the spring of 2027.
Market Landscape
The expansion reflects a growing trend of food truck operators transitioning into permanent locations to address the Denver late-night dining scarcity noted by local restaurateurs. This move positions the brand to capture evening foot traffic in the Art District.
Local residents will gain access to a new late-night dining option that will operate until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Customers can expect menu pricing to start at $14 for vegetarian options and $17 for traditional cheesesteaks.
The takeaway
Entrepreneurs are increasingly leveraging food truck success as a foundation for launching physical dining establishments. This transition allows operators to test demand before committing to permanent, late-night service models.
Further reading
For more on new businesses entering the market, visit Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Denver Post.
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