Outpouring Of Support And Tributes During Final Days In Business
The Staff: Steve Ballas and his staff have enjoyed a great working relationship over the years.
The Best Hot Dogs in Town: Steve and Linda Ballas share a hot dog the first year Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs opened on East Colfax.
Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs, a longtime Chamber member, Chamber Business of the Year in 2022, and mainstay on East Colfax Avenue closed on October 19, 2024. After nearly 20 years in business, Steve Ballas decided it was time to focus on the next chapter. “We had two years in the truck and 18 years on East Colfax so I think it is time to move on,” said Steve Ballas, owner of Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs. “I want to thank everyone that has come in. It has been overwhelming. I had no idea what we did with a hot dog and I’m seeing that now. People are coming in and they are hugging me, they’re crying, fist bumping me, and the guys are making really good tips because they are sorry to see them go. It’s bittersweet. I had no idea how many people we touched and it has been unbelievable.”
Ballas does not consider people who have come to his store customers. He considers them guests. He also considers his staff family. This is in part why his hot dog stand was so popular through the years. Ballas recently turned 70 and his wife Linda is 77 and has been dealing with health problems for 18 months. “It’s time to spend the rest of our time together and go out on top,” said Ballas. “I thank the Chronicle for giving me this opportunity to make sure that we reach out and everyone knows how thankful my wife Linda and I are, and my great staff (pictured) to everyone that helped our life and helped my staff prosper by you being our guests.”
Ballas has hosted many Chamber events through the years and they became some of the most popular in the lineup. “I have been a member of the Glendale Chamber for almost 20 years,” said Ballas. “The best thing about the Chamber is they had faith in me when Infinity Park was built,” said Ballas. “The experience I learned at Infinity Park [he ran concessions at the stadium] and through the Chamber, which is a great group of people, really helped me get into the airport.”
Long Lines: The lines were out the door the last few weeks Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs was in business. They closed their doors on October 19, 2024.
Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs has been located on Concourse B of Denver International Airport since 2014. They will maintain a presence near Gate B24 for another 18 to 24 months according to Ballas.
Through the Chamber, Ballas met David and Erik Peterson, the owners of the Bull & Bush Brewery, when he worked the concessions at Infinity Park. Ballas used to frequent the Bull & Bush and then they became good friends. As S
Strong Supporter: Steve Ballas was always a strong supporter of the Greater Glendale Chamber of Commerce. He hosted his last Chamber event in March, 2024.
teve’s Snappin’ Dogs business grew, Ballas wanted to add different items to the menu. One was to have a signature beer that was different from anyone else’s.
One day, based on a recommendation from a marketing expert, Ballas brought some hot dogs into the brewery and asked if the Bull & Bush would be interested in brewing a beer for his restaurant. That is how Steve’s Snappin’ Ale was born, a golden ale that is infused with red and green cherry peppers. It was a recipe concocted on that visit when David Peterson went to the kitchen and brought peppers out to try with Ballas’ hot dogs and the brewery’s golden ale.
“Being in the restaurant business, I understand how some may think this is a sad chapter,” said David Peterson, owner of the Bull & Bush Brewery. “I consider it a chapter of relief because he can go on to bigger and better things. The restaurant was his baby and he watched his baby grow up. Now it is time to concentrate on other things, like his wife Linda. We wish him the best for his next adventure.”
Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs’ legacy will continue as the new owners take over the space. Ben and Jodi Polson will open Mama Jo’s Biscuits and BBQ and keep some menu items such as Steve’s burgers, hot dogs, and the aforementioned Steve’s Snappin’ Ale brewed by the Bull & Bush Brewery. They are also keeping the staff from Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs. Look for this restaurant, which is based on their food truck that started in 2021, to open sometime in December.
As for Ballas, he isn’t going away anytime soon. “We have hosted many Chamber functions here and it is always good to see the smiling faces,” said Ballas. “It has been a real pleasure to be a member of the Chamber and I will still be a member. I will not give that up.”