900 E. Hampden Ave

Englewood has a new reason to celebrate.

Chef Dana “Loca” Rodriguez, one of Denver’s most celebrated culinary voices and a six-time James Beard Award nominee, has officially opened a Work & Class in Englewood.

This expansion isn’t just a second location of her beloved RiNo spot. It also introduces Dayshift by Work & Class, a counter-service concept for coffee, breakfast, and lunch.

Dayshift runs daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with highlights like the pork carnitas burrito, short rib hash, avocado toast-adas, and a full coffee lineup. Evenings shift into the “Early Work Release Program” with happy hour bites and drinks from 4 to 5 p.m., then full dinner service.

The restaurant sits inside Grow & Gather, George Gastis’ urban farm with a rooftop greenhouse.

Beyond providing lettuce, herbs, the greenhouse also hosts community events for up to 50 people, weekly yoga classes, and even a small wedding just last week. For Gastis, who will now focus fully on farming, the partnership secures the future of the space he’s nurtured since 2017.

The building itself still nods to its past as an auto body shop, with industrial touches woven into the redesign.

Chef Rodriguez, who began her Denver career as a dishwasher before building a portfolio that now includes Work & Class, Super Mega Bien, Carne, and Casa Bonita’s culinary program, sees Englewood as both an opportunity and a necessity.

At last week’s State of the Plate event, she noted how rising costs, tight margins, and regulations are making it harder for independent operators in Denver’s core. For her, suburban markets with community support, density, and affordability are the future.

We had a great time at the opening. Shout out to Evan for serving up drinks behind the bar, Mary for the thoughtful tour, and it was a true pleasure meeting Dana in person.