Short Essay 3

Robby Seiler

WRIT 1133-63

Dr. Leake

17 April 2013

Illegal Pete’s

            If you go to the University of Denver you have probably at least heard of, or seen, the modestly sized restaurant called Illegal Pete’s; more than likely, you have probably eaten there. I chose this particular restaurant to observe because it had good food and a laid-back vibe. I went there during peak hours- from 6:00-7:30. I stood in  like for about 5 minutes then, after ordering my delicious shredded beef burrito and queso and chips, I sat in the booths to the back right of the establishment. While there I noticed many things. The music playing is always youthful and, for lack of a better word, “hip” in nature- it’s always something most people who live around this area would enjoy. This is the first thing that the majority of people noticed when they walked in. After that is was the sort of retro/ anti-modern look that evoked a sense of community- that it was not just a brightly light standard eatery to force down some food then leave. There are multiple large televisions what always have various sports broadcasts on them. The average age group was 18 to 25 and it rarely varied from that. People usually went in groups of friends or professional academic groups who were taking a break from working on their various projects to relax, enjoy some good food, and maybe get to know each other better. This is a key thing I noticed about Illegal Pete’s- people always are enjoying themselves there, at least to a minor degree. There are always people talking, laughing, or having meaningful conversations. This, in my mind is caused by the atmosphere and decorative layout of the establishment. The employees are all modern, young people and, even though they don’t have the brightest smiles on their faces all the time, you can tell they are somewhat genuine and friendly. The bar to the side really attracts a lot of people and they also sometimes get live bands to play there. Overall, it’s a very fun atmosphere with good food. Many people go to illegal Pete’s to eat its awesome food, watch sports, talk with friends, and enjoy the vibe overall.