What do barbecue breakfast burritos, hot stone pho, and croissants all have in common? Each of these dishes has gone viral in Denver in the last year.
At Smok, a barbecue restaurant in The Source Hotel & Market Hall, an enormous breakfast burrito featuring chorizo, brisket, tater tots, eggs, queso and green chile unexpectedly took Denver by storm in January when Dallas-based influencer Blondes Who Eat posted about it.
“I mean, it is so incredible,” Kristi Keith said as she ate the burrito — terming it a “hunk of love” — in a video posted on the TikTok account, which has 399,200 followers. Those words carry weight. Some of the posts on Blondes Who Eat have run into the millions of views, including her review of Smok’s burrito, which currently sits at 2.7M views.
“I didn’t know it went viral until [Kristi] messaged me and said, ‘You’re gonna sell a lot of burritos,’” recalled Bill Espiricueta, the head chef and owner of Smok.
@blondeswhoeat Amazing #breakfastburrito in Denver!!! #smokbarbecue #denverfood #denverfoodscene #denverrestaurant #denver #tiktokfood #fyp
And he did sell a lot of burritos. The first Saturday after the video went live, Espiricueta’s team served more than 370 burritos – a trend that continued every Saturday for the next month or so.
But going viral didn’t come without challenges. “It actually crashed our system because there were so many online orders,” Espiricueta recounted.
The attention was also somewhat overwhelming. When Smok first launched the breakfast burritos, the intent was to sell them in the mornings via online ordering only. However, the sudden demand didn’t leave Espiricueta enough time to get the right information out, resulting in customers showing up at the wrong hours or when the restaurant was closed. Smok even issued an apology on its social media channels about the miscommunication.
“Even if we were to put all the correct information right at the top of the post and on the website, I’m not sure it would have made a difference. I think that’s the downfall of going viral, so many people look so quickly and no one pays attention to details,” Espiricueta said.
Smok’s employees also faced some not-so-nice behavior from TikTok fanatics, he added. “Some people were cussing out staff if the burritos were sold out or unavailable. I wish people would remember the human element, and get back to treating each other with respect and kindness.”
The viral moment wasn’t entirely an accident, though, and Blondes Who Eat didn’t just stumble into Smok and post about the burrito – Espiricueta specifically invited them in to try it.
Similarly, Toan Le, owner of Now Pho, 1195 S. Federal Blvd., created a viral moment with the Vietnamese restaurant’s hot stone pho by inviting Denver Food Scene, a local social media influencer, in to post about it.
“We always wanted to work with Denver Food Scene because they’re so well connected locally. We knew if they featured us we’d attract more business,” he explained. “After following up with them on social media and email for around six to eight weeks, I finally heard back.”
But the exposure wasn’t going to come for free. Like many influencers, Denver Food Scene charges for their attention. The cost, Le said, “was a bit out of our budget at the time, but my partner and I agreed it would be beneficial in the long run.”
While that’s not uncommon, not all influencers charge. Blondes Who Eat, for instance, didn’t charge Smok for its post. All Espiricueta had to do was supply them with an $11 burrito (which now goes for $14).
In Now Pho’s case, the investment was worth it. The weekend after Denver Food Scene posted the hot stone pho (which has 176K views on TikTok), sales of that dish jumped from 10 a day to over 100 a day and remained that way for several months. Additionally, overall sales that weekend were double Now Pho’s usual average, Le said.
Denver Food Scene, run by Yesenia Chinchilla, declined to share her pricing structure with The Denver Post, but she did say that “Our work involves a mix of trade, personal investment, and paid partnerships.”
As for long-term benefits, all the restaurateurs we spoke to said the widespread visibility of their viral posts continues to draw in new customers to this day.
Yasmin Lozada-Hissom, managing partner and pastry director at Izzio Bakery, 2669 Larimer St., said Denver Food Scene’s posts about its eye-catching Crown and Roulette croissants (which have each earned millions of views) helped introduce the business to a broader audience.
“It significantly increased our visibility and brought a surge of new customers through our doors. Of course it also came with challenges, such as managing the unexpected demand and ensuring our quality remained consistent,” she shared.
Chinchilla provided some insights into what she thinks makes a food item go viral. “Presentation is definitely important–how the dish looks (whether it’s cheesy, saucy, interactive, or just over the top) can make a big difference. Other factors, like whether the dish is already trending in other states or countries, also play a role, as that often indicates it will be popular here too.”
She also offered some sage advice to business owners on dealing with sudden internet fame.
“Customer service can sometimes slip when a restaurant experiences a surge in business. It’s important to stay mindful of this if you want these new customers to return. If you see the view count climbing, make sure your team is prepared for a busy week, especially on the weekend.”
And, most importantly, she added, “[Don’t] underestimate how many people might show up.”
Originally Published:
The rise of social media, particularly TikTok, has shaken up the world of food and dining. A restaurant that goes viral on this platform can experience an incredible surge in popularity – a phenomenon that Denver restaurants have been witnessing firsthand. The city’s already buzzworthy food scene has been amplified by the power of TikTok with an impact that’s far-reaching and transformative.
Once a Denver restaurant goes viral on TikTok, a string of unexpected events usually occurs. The first being an enormous increase in customers. The visibility generated by viral TikTok videos often leads to a sudden rush of visitors keen to try the showcased dish. Whether it be a hypnotic swirl of noodles, a sight of a melting cheeseburger, or an innovative dessert, viewers across the city, state, and even country develop an irresistible urge to experience it at the earliest opportunity.
The surge in customers can be both exciting and daunting for Denver restaurants. The thrill of a full house and incessant demand can invigorate the staff, but it can also present logistical challenges. Managing crowds, maintaining food quality and consistency, and dealing with elevated levels of customer expectations can make these post-viral days rather hectic.
It’s a double-edged sword; while the sudden popularity may seem like a boon, the skyrocketing expectations can also be burdensome. The sudden influx of unfamiliar faces can put undue pressure on restaurant workers to maintain high standards, and may even result in less favorable service for regular customers or unexpected mishaps.
However, the overall effects of a TikTok-induced fame tend to be largely positive, leading to increased recognition and revenue. One viral video can turn a local favorite into a nationwide known establishment. Suddenly, Denver’s restaurants find themselves bearing the flag for Colorado’s entire gastronomic scene, drawing in foodies, influencers and curious diners from across the nation.
Alongside the boost in footfall, the very nature of viral trends lends itself to further publicity and continued marketing. Shared, remixed and played on countless TikTok feeds, one viral video can spawn a plethora of sequels and spin-offs. This continued presence on the platform ensures that the restaurant remains in the public eye and reaps the benefits of extensive viral marketing.
Moreover, the communal culture of TikTok has led to the creation of local foodie communities. Videos showcasing Denver’s eateries have fostered a spirit of unity and shared devotion among users. Posting about a restaurant is not just about highlighting the food, but also about expressing their pride in Denver’s culinary scene.
All in all, when a Denver restaurant goes viral on TikTok, it’s not just about a temporary rush of customers. It ushers in a phase of increased recognition, sustainable growth and communal unity. The platform is enabling hidden gems of Denver to shine in the spotlight, one viral video at a time.
The taste of digital success can be as sweet as any dessert on the menu. And while the viral fame may fade over time, the impact of this phenomenon on Denver’s restaurant scene will likely have a long-lasting sizzle. As TikTok continues to bridge the gap between technology and gastronomy, it is clear that the power of a viral video is just the right ingredient for a restaurant’s recipe for success.
In a modern world increasingly running on automation and artificial intelligence, traditional office spaces are becoming less necessary. Remote work is seeing unprecedented levels of growth, encouraged by the development of new collaboration and productivity tools.
As a part of this shift, co-working spaces are emerging as a popular alternative to conventional office environments. They are common ground for start-ups, freelancers, and small businesses who may not need a traditional office but require a professional workspace. Co-working spaces facilitate a shared office environment where individuals or companies rent workspace.
This essay will cover the rise of co-working spaces, its advantages, disadvantages, and its potential impact on the future of work.
Firstly, let’s delve into the rise of these co-working spaces. The modern co-working concept emerged in 2005, when Brad Neuberg started the first such space called “The Hat Factory” in San Francisco. By the year 2020, there were globally over 2 million people using coworking spaces. The numbers demonstrate a rapidly growing trend, driven by the digital revolution, the rising gig economy, and the need for flexibility in today’s work culture.
Moving forward to the advantages of co-working spaces. Co-working spaces provide a creative and dynamic environment that is often lacking in traditional offices, boosting productivity and innovation. They offer flexibility to work when it suits the individual or the team, cutting down on time spent commuting. Moreover, such spaces can significantly reduce overhead costs as users only pay for what they use. The opportunity for networking is another enticing advantage—working in a shared space allows for collaboration with like-minded individuals from diverse industries.
However, there are also some disadvantages to co-working spaces. While they offer a vibrant working environment, they may lack privacy, and this may not suit all types of businesses or individuals. Noise levels can be a distraction, and there might be limited access to facilities or resources compared to a dedicated office.
Looking ahead, the impact of the rise of co-working spaces on the future of work is significant. These spaces are reshaping our concept of what an office should be, promoting flexibility, collaboration, and a better work-life balance. They’re likely to continue to expand and evolve, perhaps even influencing the design of traditional offices.
To wrap up, the rise of co-working spaces is a testament to the evolving needs of the workforce due to technological advancements and the pursuit of a more flexible work-life balance. It’s a trend not likely to slow down soon, setting the stage for a workplace revolution leading towards a more flexible, collaborative, and cost-effective work environment.,
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What happens when a Denver restaurant goes viral on TikTok?
