- Details
- By Tribal Business News Staff
- Food | Agriculture
An American Indian-owned restaurant opened its newest location at Denver International Airport on April 7, expanding its presence in Colorado's food scene.
Tocabe, founded by Osage Nation member Ben Jacobs and business partner Matt Chandra, is now operating near Gate A38 in Concourse A. The restaurant offers dishes featuring Indigenous ingredients, including bison ribs, fry bread tacos and green chili stew.
“Denver International Airport is a gateway to the world, and we're proud to be offering a taste of Native culture and cuisine to visitors from around the globe,” Jacobs told trade publication QSR. “This is food that tells a story. It's a story of the Indigenous communities across the country and food from the Rocky Mountain region.”
The airport location is operated by Mission Yogurt, Inc., a Denver-based hospitality company specializing in airport dining. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for April 29, featuring traditional American Indian performances.
Tocabe sources ingredients “Native first, local second,” following the company's commitment to supporting Indigenous producers. This approach extends to its other business lines, including an online marketplace where customers can order Native-sourced ingredients.
The company has worked to maintain strong connections to Denver's Native community. Jacobs credits the Denver Indian Center with supporting him during his childhood. “I ended up in this city because of the Denver Indian Center. It's only right to make sure we're taking care of our local community members,” Jacobs told Tribal Business News last year.
This commitment led to Tocabe's Direct-to-Tribe Ready Meal program, which has distributed over 17,800 meals to tribal communities. In February, the company began providing free pre-made meals to the Denver Indian Center and Denver Indian Health and Family Services.
The California-based Christensen Fund invested $3 million last year to support Tocabe's meal program and supply chain development. In 2023, the company also partnered with Red Lake Nation to purchase a 50% ownership stake in Arctic Circle Wild Seafoods.
