Smiling Moose Deli

This casual deli chain got its start in the Vail Valley in 2003 and now has locations in six states, with two in downtown Denver as well as stores in Westminster and Arvada. While Smiling Moose is a blossoming chain, the company runs each location as a local restaurant, staffed by employees who live in the community. The atmosphere is fun and casual, the decor somewhere between a deli in a ski town and a fast-food chain. The menu features plenty of signature hot and cold sandwiches, as well as build-your-own sandwiches and wraps featuring fresh ingredients; Smiling Moose also serves breakfast all day and offers such take-and-bake dinners as lasagna. In short, there's something that should appeal to everyone -- and at reasonable prices. And you can't beat this: Cookies are free on Wednesdays.