Meet Alexander Ortiz | The Pickle King of Denver

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexander Ortiz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexander, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I started Three Dogs Pickles, it wasn’t out of necessity but rather the urge to start working for myself! After years and years of working tireless hours for restaurants that didn’t seem to appreciate me, I decided it was time to take a hold of my own future. When I started this company I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. I work hard on a daily basis to get this dream to become a reality and support the people who need me the most (my two dogs)!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started this company in July of 2020. Prior to starting Three Dogs Pickles, I was a struggling chef/kitchen manager working 60-80 hours a week while also trying to maintain a social life that just never seemed to balance out. Since then I have began weekly production of my pickles along with 5-6 farmer’s markets a week while still be able to attend concerts/events with the people I love. In the last year we have had a lot of ups and downs, problems with produce, shortage of jars, and the too well known COVID-19 issues. In that time we have begun working closely with local companies and farms to bring Denver the best product that we can. As of right now, I am a one man show; I run the website, produce the pickles, do the shopping and all the marketing on my own! While this is extremely hard sometimes, it is also very rewarding doing everything alone and proving to myself and the world what I am fully capable of! I love all of the support I have received since starting this company and have the absolute best customers!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a person who has lived in Denver for the last 10 years I have seen some of my favorite restaurants and venues sadly come and go yearly. Because of this, my preferences sadly change very often! I will say, however, there are some spots that I wouldn’t let anyone miss while they’re in town! Starting with my favorite place in the world, I would tell everyone that they need to see at least one Red Rocks show in their life! Secondly I have to give a shout-out to One-Up on Colfax, yes the one on Colfax! Now restaurant wise I have to talk about Postino, weekly I go there for their 5 dollar pitchers so I can do my emails and get a cheap drink any day of the week. If you’re looking for the best ramen in Denver, Tokio is the spot! I take many of my friends there, as well as Cart Driver for my favorite pizza and anchovies. Sadly, my absolute favorite restaurant, Lola Costal Mexican in LoHi, recently closed last month. Big Red F, bring back Lola and the matcha salsa(or at least send me the recipe)!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
If I had to pinpoint one huge influence in my life and in my success so far, it would have to go to my family and my close friends that have helped me get to where I am today.. I moved out here to Colorado in 2012 with the help of my late mother and loving father to attend Johnson and Wales University. Since then I have pursued a career in culinary with the support of my father (Peter), step mother (Jacqueline) and two sisters (Ashley and Kristina). Prior to the start of the pickle company I had amazing support from my best friend (Anna). As the company continued to grow I had help from some amazing friends who have been nothing but supportive and will do anything to help me succeed! I can’t thank anyone enough for all the love and support I have gotten from them!

Website: https://threedogspickles.com/

Instagram: @Three_Dogs_Pickles

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/threedogspickles/