Colorado’s original destination for fresh seafood—and its independently owned operating group Big Red F—reflect on three decades of serving the community and what’s next
November 2024 marks 30 years in business for Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar and Big Red F Restaurant Group, the independently owned and operated Boulder-based group behind Jax, The Post Chicken & Beer, Centro Mexican Kitchen, West End Tavern and Velvet Elk Lounge.
“Restaurants are a tough go. Even in the best of times, they are a high-risk, high-energy effort. And with the pandemic, the economy and rising costs and wages, these aren’t the best of times. But I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. It has been my greatest honor to work with so many incredible staff members and serve the world’s best guests over the last 30 years at Jax,” says Dave Query, founder and chef of Jax Fish House and Big Red F.
While the original Boulder location of Jax is still going strong on Pearl Street, the concept has grown since 1994 to five total locations up and down Colorado’s Front Range, including LoDo Denver, Glendale, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs. Jax Fish House was the first restaurant in Colorado to be certified by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch for responsible sourcing, and culinary director Sheila Lucero has been active in sustainability advocacy through the James Beard Foundation’s Chefs Bootcamp for Policy & Change and the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Blue Ribbon Task Force. Lucero has also been recognized by the Colorado Restaurant Association as an outstanding culinary professional and is an active member in EatDenver, a nonprofit organization that supports Colorado’s local independent restaurant community.
“I am so grateful to be a part of this Jax journey,” Lucero says. “I’ve been thinking a lot about the generations of staff that have now come through these restaurants—so much great talent that has become a family. We have great camaraderie and culture, and that extends to our amazing guests and regulars. I can’t wait to see what the future brings for us.”
To celebrate, Jax has teamed up with The Post Brewing Co. to create a limited-time beer exclusively served at Jax locations. Jax Sidecar Burnt Orange Ale is the brainchild of Query and Post head brewer Nick Tedeschi and debuts at all Jax locations on Nov. 4. The 5.2 percent ABV brew uses a delicate pale ale grain profile with a small percentage of local wheat malt. Flavored with pureed caramelized oranges, the ale is citrusy yet soft and perfect for pairing with Jax signature oysters and delicate seafood preparations. Best of all, the beer will be offered at just $3 a pint during Jax happy hour.
Jax and Big Red F will continue their long legacy of giving back to the community, most notably by hosting Imagine! Foundation families for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at The Post Chicken & Beer’s Lafayette location this year. The Imagine! Foundation supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and for more than 20 years, Big Red F has hosted Imagine! families at its restaurants for a complimentary Thanksgiving meal, even offering meals to-go during the COVID-19 era.
Throughout the years, Big Red F has supported a variety of charitable causes and has longstanding relationships with the Imagine! Foundation, There with Care, Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence, Brent’s Place, Blue Sky Bridge and many others. Highlights include:
- Raising $175,000 for There with Care at Jax High West Oyster Fest event in September 2024. High West Oyster Fest started in 2013 and has raised millions for various organizations over the years, including First Descents, YWCA of Boulder, Veteran’s Expeditions and more.
- In 2017, Jax helped There with Care raise $590,000 at High West Oyster Fest held in Boulder.
- During the pandemic, BRF prepared and donated 6,000 meals to restaurant industry workers, 21,500 meals for BRF staff, and thousands more meals to local food banks through its Big Red F’eeds program.
- In 2020 alone, Big Red F raised more than $85,000 for Sophie’s Neighborhood, a nonprofit dedicated to finding a cure for Sophie Rosenberg’s rare genetic disease.
- Big Red F has fed displaced homeowners and firefighters after most every local fire, including 200 first responders the morning after the Marshall Fire started in Boulder County.
- In 2021, Jax donated $10,000 to the Bayou Relief Fund to support folks affected by Hurricane Ida.
- In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina, Jax and BRF hosted a fundraiser within two weeks of the hurricane and raised $140,000, distributing $4,000 grants to 38 displaced families in Parish, La.
- Big Red F and Jax were early supporters for The Boulder County Aids Project, organizing and hosting its annual fundraiser for 20-plus years.
- Family fund grants: Big Red F’s family fund is an employee-run and funded program that distributes grants to employees averaging $750 each. Thousands of dollars of grants have been distributed thus far.
- F the Furlough: Big Red F offered free meals to government employees who were furloughed during the government shutdowns in 2013 and 2019.