At 1958 South Garrison Street in Lakewood, Big Sky Burger is rewriting what a neighborhood burger joint can be—a Korean-American fusion Colorado burger spot where a Marine veteran’s cultural heritage and culinary passion collide in the most delicious way possible. 🍔
Sam, a Korean American from Texas who served two tours in Afghanistan with the Marines, discovered the Lakewood spot while passing through Colorado to visit his brother—and never looked back, purchasing Big Sky Burger in the summer of 2024.
With his brother as co-owner and operations manager, Sam hand-makes the kimchi, marinades, and beef gyoza himself—bringing authentic Korean flavors to a locally-owned Lakewood burger destination. 🌶️
How Big Sky Burger won Lakewood’s hearts
Big Sky Burger captured Lakewood’s devotion through Sam’s serious, hands-on approach to flavor, an inventive Korean-American menu that surprises every first-timer. 💛
Sam’s approach to flavor is anything but casual—his spicy pork marinade alone contains seven different peppers, including habanero and Thai chiles, with serrano substituted whenever one isn’t available—a level of culinary obsession that separates Big Sky from every other burger counter in the region.
The restaurant earned an enthusiastic feature from Denver Westword in early 2026 with the headline “Big Sky Burger Brings Korean Flavors to Fast Food”—a distinction that immediately introduced Sam’s vision to the wider Denver food community hungry for something genuinely new. 📰
What truly won hearts is how seamlessly the cross-cultural menu works—all burgers come on Sam’s fulsome brioche buns with mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and two slices of American cheese for a satisfying fusion of Korean flavor and classic American burger tradition.
The restaurant’s menu is a genuinely unique Lakewood food experience—alongside Korean-American fusion burgers, guests find gyoza dumplings, eggrolls, ramen, curry, rice bowls, crispy wings, chicken tenders, shakes, and soft serve—a Colorado burger spot that offers a full world of flavor. 🌏
This combination of Marine veteran dedication, Korean culinary authenticity, handmade ingredients, and a genuinely inventive menu has transformed Big Sky Burger into the most exciting locally-owned Lakewood restaurant.
Food Highlights
-
Bulgogi Burger: A top-selling burger and Sam’s personal pride—a 7-ounce prime marinated bulgogi patty grilled to juicy perfection on a brioche bun with mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and American cheese—a Korean-American fusion masterpiece at this Colorado burger spot 🥩
- Kimchi Burger: A bold cross-cultural creation featuring Sam’s housemade kimchi piled onto a juicy patty on a brioche bun—a uniquely locally-owned Lakewood burger that brings authentic Korean fermented flavor.
- Bacon, Egg & Cheese Burger with Hash Brown: A creative morning-meets-lunch mashup—featuring crispy hash browns, bacon, egg, and melted cheese stacked on a fresh beef patty. 🍳
-
Spicy Pork Burger: A fan favorite with serious heat credentials featuring a seven-pepper marinated pork patty—including habanero and Thai chiles—making it one of the most fiery and flavorful burgers. 🌶️
-
Marinated Chicken Burger: A lighter Korean-inspired option featuring Sam’s housemade chicken marinade delivering bold, layered Korean flavor on a brioche bun. 🍗
-
Cheeseburger: A top-ordered classic—featuring a fresh, premium beef patty with melted American cheese. 🧀
-
Big Burger: A crowd pleaser delivering a generously portioned fresh beef patty loaded with Big Sky’s classic toppings—the go-to for guests who want a substantial, satisfying Denver metro burger.
Atmosphere
Big Sky Burger occupies a compact, no-frills counter-service space on South Garrison Street where the focus is entirely on what matters: the food coming off the grill and Sam’s hands-on kitchen. 🏔️
Guests can see the grill directly from the front counter—an open kitchen transparency that builds immediate confidence, with food arriving hot, fresh, and made to order in about ten minutes, even during busy service hours.
The outdoor seating area gives Big Sky a relaxed, neighborhood hangout energy that Lakewood locals have embraced since Sam’s 2024 takeover—a casual, welcoming atmosphere where military veteran hospitality and Korean American warmth make every guest feel genuinely appreciated.
The overall experience is a genuinely exciting neighborhood discovery—the kind of locally-owned spot that reminds diners why supporting independent restaurants always delivers something chains simply cannot manufacture.
Bottom Line
Visit for Sam’s housemade bulgogi and spicy pork burgers that Westword calls the best reason to visit Lakewood, and the one-of-a-kind kimchi burger that no other Colorado burger spot can replicate.
Try authentic seven-pepper marinades crafted by a dedicated Marine veteran, crispy wings, gyoza, and ramen that round out a menu unlike anything else in the Denver metro.
Address:
1958 S Garrison St, Lakewood, CO 80227
📞 (303) 763-5012
🕔 Open Mon & Wed–Sat 11 AM–8 PM, Sun 12 PM–7 PM (closed Tuesday)