A grassroots group lifting up community
Krista Simonson, host of the Facebook group South Denver Food, posed with Byron Wheeler, owner of Peckish Pizza in Belleview Station.
Krista Simonson started a Facebook group in 2020 inviting 10 friends to share photos of restaurant food, which at that time was all take-out due to the pandemic. The next day, the group had 200 members sharing what restaurants were open for takeout. “We learned quickly that people really wanted this community,” Krista shared.
Today, the group, South Denver Food (SDF), is close to 15,000 members strong, nearly all locals. Much more than a food group sharing restaurant recommendations from Cherry Creek to Castle Rock, SDF is a community that has strong connections, while supporting many local businesses.
SDF has gift card giveaways every two weeks, which motivates members to participate, and has lunch bunch get-togethers and a supper club. Debbie, a long-time member of SDF shared, “SDF has been a great way to get out more, find out about restaurants and meet people. SDF feels like family.” Debbie and Krista told stories of how friendships have been made beyond sharing a meal together, how members have supported each other and how new people are welcomed warmly.
Local real estate agents, Krista and her husband, David, host food trucks outside their house in Highlands Ranch every Wednesday over the summer. Krista said, “We lived in our house 20 years and I didn’t get to know some of our neighbors until the food trucks were there.” She also met many neighbors and members of SDF as she collected 750 pounds of food on her front yard for The Backpack Society, a nonprofit where she serves on the advisory board.
A unique feature of SDF is that negativity is not allowed. Krista explained that the restaurants that constantly make mistakes will not survive, therefore there is not a need to invite negative comments on Facebook. Debbie said she will give feedback directly to the restaurant if she feels it will be helpful.
SDF members are encouraged to share what restaurants are doing well and are eager to share their favorites, including answering questions about where to find the best espresso martini, pastrami sandwich, tomahawk steak, Italian cookie or happy hour.
Krista also hosts South Denver Strong (SDS), a group on Facebook and Instagram. While SDF focuses on restaurants, SDS is about supporting nearly all types of businesses. For Krista, it is all about the people, a healthy job environment and lifting up the community. “There are so many mom-and-pop businesses out there that work so hard. This allows people to be their champions. We can all do a lot of good if we show up and support each other.”
The South Denver Food group met for supper club in February at Caddyshack Cantina on Park Meadows Drive in Lone Tree. The group enjoyed delicious food and drinks as well as each other’s company.
Article and photo by Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Krista Simonson
