Last weekend took me to Diego Zhang’s, a new burger cafe located off Arapahoe Road and Peoria Street in Centennial. And while you might think the burger market is already saturated, but there’s plenty of room for this spot’s global flavors.

The gist: The shop serves 14 mini-burgers (envision big sliders) with the ingredients mixed into the patties–chicken with chimichurri and roasted red peppers; mesquite-rubbed pork with caramelized barbecue sauce; beef with bacon, onions, and sautéed mushrooms. Pair your burgers (I suggest two or three per person) with soup or salad. (The pesto-laden Mediterranean pasta salad is especially good.)

The best part is that prices are downright cheap: $2.25 to $3.25 for burgers built with natural Harris Ranch beef, Red Bird Farms chicken, Niman Ranch pork, all-natural buffalo, and wild salmon.

My only complaint: With a focus on being green (the spot champions its use of organic cotton, bamboo, Dakota burl, nontoxic paint, etc.), we were surprised when each burger arrived in its own paper bag. Though a cute touch, at the end of the meal we threw away two cups, two side-salad containers, and five burger bags–all of which seems less than green.

That said, I can’t wait to go back and try the arepas (South American corn cakes) on the breakfast menu.

12073 E. Arapahoe Road, Centennial

720-496-1020

Amanda M. Faison
Amanda M. Faison
Freelance writer Amanda M. Faison spent 20 years at 5280 Magazine, 12 of those as Food Editor.