Fast food doesn't have to mean Mcdonalds

My all time favorite sandwich (a sandwich of which i've probably eaten at least 2 dozen times) in Denver has to be the smoked turkey sandwich from Masterpiece deli.  The shaved turkey is pressed between two slices of toasted (and buttered) wheat bread with pears, arugula, cranberry honey and soft brie.  Amazingly, i've not met a single person who did not love it.

I recently tried a banh mi from Ba le bakery on south federal.  I ordered the special combination which came with ham, meatloaf (which was more like bologna) and pork pate spread.  The meat lay on a fresh french baguette which was crusty on the outside and soft on the inside.  The pickled carrots and daikon, along with the cucumber, handful of cilantro and deseeded jalepeno were crunchy and flavorful which came together beautifully to create this spicy handheld and very cheap ($3) vietnamese sandwich!

Ba Le Bakery Plate Score: 8



The breakfast burrito from Santiago's (yes it is a colorado chain) is so good but probably not the healthiest breakfast option on most coloradan's list.  I biked to the one on Federal to earn this delicious meal. Steaming hot and stuffed with scrambled eggs, potatoes, medium pork green chile and cheese (meat optional), this burrito at just $2 needs more than just a few napkins.

After contemporary american cusine and all things asian (except indian), I am drawn to both authentic and contemporary interpretations of mexican street tacos.  I rarely go up to boulder, but after a Pure Barre workout, my friend and I went in search of the Comida food truck.  I know Denver and Boulder are getting overrun by fancy food trucks, however i was drawn to this one because the executive chef of Frasca (colorado's only James Beard nominated restaurant) mentioned it has his favorite in a recent edition of Travel and Leisure Magazine.    We both had the fish tacos ($3) with red cabbage and jicama slaw and the braised sirloin ($3) over a sweet potato mash (strange but nevertheless good).  Both were excellent but the fish which i think was mahi mahi was flakey, flavorful and my favorite.

Comida Plate Score: 9



I stopped by La Villa Real truck on Alameda and Raritan to compare their lengua tacos to the versions put forth by both el taco de mexico and pinche taco truck.  The entire menu is still in spanish only but i made it through and ordered a set of four.  I kind of wish i could have had one of each of the other types, but i guess i'll have to return. The slices of beef tongue were tender and sauteed on the flat top and sprinkled with diced onions, cilantro and a few wedges of lime.  I definitely appreciate how La Villa Real and El Taco de Mexico let the meat shine in their tacos, but Pinche's version is just an explosion of delicious flavors.

La Villa Real Plate Score: 7.5

At the base of the clock tower on the 16th street mall, you'll find a Brava Pizza, a brick oven on wheels serving up the lunch and happy hour crowd of the apparently Southwest Airlines sponsored space.  All pizzas are under $8 and on mondays the 10" Margherita pizza is just $5! Everything about it was absolutely delicious with the large leaves of fresh basil,the crushed san marzano tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella and charred crust.  Can't beat it!

Brava Pizza Plate Score: 10

Some of you might be wondering how this is a 10, go try it and let me know what you think!  The turkey sandwich from masterpiece might be close to 10 as well.

top 10 fast casual

With our lives becoming increasingly hectic, we (including myself) hardly have to time to sit and enjoy a full on meal.  I define fast casual as made to order meals that can be enjoyed in less than 20 minutes, 30 if you are a snail.

This list is in no particular order.

1.  Bombay Bowl-  A southeast asian style chipotle with recognizable sauces such as Korma, Tikka and Saag served with choice of meats (or tofu), basmati rice, chutneys and veggies.  Get the warm chewy naan bread for an extra $1.  The kid size will satisfy an average appetite, too bad there is currently only one location in South Denver off of Arapahoe.

2.  Garbanzos- A mediterranean style chipotle with the crunchy falafel ball to chomp on while you instruct the "food designer" ( i believe that is what they call em these days) to build your wrap or bowl filled with classics such as hummus, tabbouleh, babaganoush and your choice of meats and sauces.  Served with a warm white or wheat pita.

3.  Pho 79 or 95 on Federal
People debate as to which is better, i think they are both excellent.  Softball or basketball sized bowls of steaming beef broth flavored with asians spices with choice cuts of meat including rare beef, brisket, tendon and vietnamese meatballs (note:  this is not like an italian meatball, but more like a chinese fish ball...if you know what that is like....).  Served with a pile of additions such as thai basil, jalapenos, limes and raw beansprouts, these places are amazing on a frigid day.  P.S if you don't eat red meat, this probably isn't the place for you, i don't think the chicken version is quite the same, but thats just me.

4.  Santiagos
Before I moved to Colorado, I had no idea as to what breakfast burritos or green chile were.  But after enjoying many of them during professional development sessions at school,  I am so glad I do.  For $2 you can enjoy this handheld gem of a soft flour tortilla filled with shredded potatoes, eggs, and green chili and the daily meat (ham, sausage or chorizo (my fav)).  The are many locations in the denver area but I've been going to the one on 25th and Federal and it has yet to disappoint me.

5.  Parsley
My former roommate described the odd combination of tuna, miso, sesame seeds and sriracha in this sandwich located off of speer and 11th which certainly peaked my interest the first time around.  Now I am loyal patron of this sandwich shop,  mind you this place is not cheap especially their organic apple and carrot juice which runs at least $4 for 16oz.

6.  Masterpiece deli
A top 10 best new restaurant from a couple years back, this place continues to churn out great sandwiches, salads and soups.  Still a bit pricey but absolutely worth it.  Don't miss the fried egg sandwiches with the roasted wild mushrooms or the popular smoked turkey sandwich with brie, pears, arugula and cranberry honey on toasted wheat bread.

7.  El Taco de Mexico
Not the most asthetically pleasing restaurant, but this yellow shack in the santa fe art district makes authentic tacos.  My favorite is the beef tongue with cilantro and raw onions on 3 corn tortillas.

8.  Dim Sum at Star Kitchen
Yes there are waiters, but don't be fooled by this place.  The dim sum (chinese brunch tapas) sit in bamboo containers ready to be enjoyed by hungry patrons.  Come before 10:30 to avoid a long wait and you can be happy and full on your way out in less than 30.  Promise.

9.  Thai food cart
This unique food cart owned is operated by a tiny asian lady who works in an elevated glass/metal kitchen stirfrying authentic lunch orders for the business crowd.  Yummy pad thai on the go!


10.  Still in the hunt for delicious southern style bbq.....if you have suggestions, i would love to hear them

Snarfs

Everything about Snarf's (11th and ogden across the street from whole foods and park tavern) reminded me of pot belly's the toasty sandwich joint found on GW's campus (my college), the east coast and midwest and upon my research texas as well.  The menu is handwritten on a chalk board offering at least two dozen novice (5"), snarf (7") and pro (12") sandwich options.  There were traditional deli choices and some unique combinations such as eggplant parmesan and bbq brisket.  Similar to potbelly's concept, all sandwiches are served toasted with your choice of veggies, classic condiments, oil and "seasoning."  Just as i had anticipated, the seasoning was just an italian blend of dried herbs including basil and oregano.  I was disappointed when they said they didn't have vinegar for their sandwichs.  Doesn't oil and vinegar naturally go together?  The lady offered me italian dressing instead......The sandwich was solid but the star was the crusty french bread that held the turkey, cheese and veggies in place.  The turkey sandwich is not like Masterpiece deli 's turkey sandwich in many ways but nevertheless,  Snarf's offers sandwichs that are definitely one step up from subway and that other toasty sub place....

Adagio Bakery

When i heard that 5280 had named the breakfast sandwich from Adagio bakery one of the best, i was pretty excited to try for it myself. Sadly, i was beyond disappointed. The small cafe in the Park hill neighborhood had a display of pastries, muffins and breakfast calzones. Their menu included all the usual lunch time sandwichs, espresso drinks and dazbog coffee. I noticed they had 10 flavors of Boba tea, something highly unusual but then i quickly noticed the 3 asian women in the back chopping and cooking away in the back kitchen. But i was here for the breakfast sandwich, veggies, egg and chedder served on a challah roll. It was not the usual sandwich size, but rather a slider size. The flavor was bland to the point i had to add salt and pepper, the roll was slightly stale and the veggies were plain diced mushrooms, spinach and onions, no where near spectacular. I don't know what 5280 was thinking....I split a cinnamon roll with Jess with hopes that it would redeem this little cafe, but unfortunately, it too was pretty terrible, the dough was stiff, and glaze hardened. What a waste of $6.00, i will stick to Masterpiece Deli for my breakfast sandwichs.

Plate score: 2

Sandwichs!

Heirloom egg sandwich with cheddar and roasted wild mushrooms on a toasted english muffin, from masterpiece deli is just perfect on a beautiful sunday afternoon

Plate score: 9