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.

Denver Wrap up Part II

Civic Center Eats down by the capitol features a dozen or more food trucks that feed hungry government workers (and me!) every tuesday and thursday from 11-2 through the end of September.  Check out the line up here

The beef tongue tacos from Pinche Tacos are different from El Taco de mexico, both delicious, but Pinche's version are not shredded but diced and triple cooked until tender, finished on the grill then topped with the usual cilantro and onion but also a roasted tomatillo salsa, honey mayo and a wedge of lime.

The korean steak skewer from the stick it to me food truck was sensational, tender and full of typical soy, ginger and garlic flavors

Third trip to Squeaky bean was just as innovative as the previous two times and I am sad to see it close June 12th after brunch 

 The wagyu beef tartare wrapped with avocado, chiles and teriyaki gel was exquisite and beatifully presented.

 The second appetizer which is a play on pork chili verde was a braised and seared pork belly with a pork shoulder corn bread sitting in a rich roasted green chili soup.  The soup itself was a little bitter which actually worked nicely with the sweetness from the cornbread.  Once again plating was beautiful.

 The halibut cheeks entree which was generously split for us sat atop of a brandade (basically mashed potatoes infused with mild salted halibut), pea puree, crushed marcona almonds and a variety of backyard greens.  Delicious.

The dessert called "chocolate and sugar" was a bit of a head scratcher and no where near as pretty as the other dishes.  The elements including meringue, chocolate ganache ribbon, chewy caramel triangles, chocolate moose, beet chocolate cookie, cocoa powder and spun sugar seemed did not provide a cohesive dish.

Watercourse foods on 17th was almost a weekly staple my first year here in Denver, yet i've never captured a picture of the scrumptuous food.  For lunch, I ordered my usual Toulouse (broccoli, mushrooms, artichokes and swiss) scramble with sweet potato homefries, biscuit with raspberry jelly and split a buckwheat supreme pancake with a friend of mine.  It has been a while since my last trip but everything was delicious, the buckwheat supreme pancake (which is now smaller in diameter than in previous years) comes with a choice of mango banana granola or cherry almond granola (We opted for banana mango).

Denver Wrap up Part I

On a list with so many things to do before I leave colorado, at least half the list consists of food related activities.  Here is the wrap up in the past week on adventures on my dinner plate

- Beef tongue tacos from El taco de mexico were delicious as usual, though the corn tortilla's started to fall apart as I stuffed my face.

-$2 street tacos (on Tuesdays) from El Camino in the highlands were great particularly the carnitas and the al pastor tacos with chunks of sweet pineapple and diced onions.  Do not sit at the end of the bar near the door, it is awkwardly shaped and the arm pit/black hole of the restaurant where we could barely get a server's attention without the help of other patrons.

-The bison burger from Rackhouse pub was juicy but a bit too gamey in flavor and needed some salt.  A LA times food critic who stopped through denver last year praised the beer baked mac and cheese which can be ordered as a side with any sandwich, even the triple grilled cheese sandwich.  If you get tired of the brewery tours around town, rackhouse pub also moonlights as a distillery for Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey and offers free tours during the week.

-The green chicken chile from Mod market had a nice mild heat with hearty chunks of white meat chicken and roasted green chiles in a soothing broth.

-The tempura fried half avocado from Leaf restaurant in boulder.  Stuffed with mango salsa with an orange blossom sauce and a black rice cake, this place satisfies the vegetarian, vegan and raw palates of hippies across boulder.  It was interesting but will never replace my first love, watercourse

Sad times
According to Westword, one of my favorite restaurants Squeaky Bean is closing its doors June 12th due to leasing issues and will reemerge as a different restaurant concept in about a month.  Go now but if you need to be convinced check out my reviews here or if you need a second opinon, i guess yelp would do. They have a new spring menu which is not updated on the website.

Need something to do tonight?
The Justice League of Food trucks is having their season kick off party from 5-10pm tonight.  Check out their facebook page for details!

My attempt at sweet potato and black bean tacos

These turned out to be quite delicious with cabbage slaw, lime and fresh cilantro on store bought corn tacos....

Watercourse tacos: $11.95 for 3.....my creation:  $0.75 each...I feel like Food Network's Money Saving Meals with Sandra Lee, the asian version of course.