Denver Deli Named Most Iconic Sandwich Spot in the State: Here's Our Go-To Order

From Denver's burgeoning bánh mì scene to the affordable options at Lucky's and the massive meals on freshly baked bread at old-school Italian deli Carmine Lonardo's in Lakewood, we love sandwiches.

But where's the most iconic place to get a sandwich in Colorado? According to a February 12 Tasting Table list, it's the Bagel Deli & Restaurant at 6439 East Hampden Avenue — which is a solid pick.

Founded by Holocaust survivors Paul and Lola Weiner in 1967, the New York-style Jewish deli has been a south Denver staple for nearly sixty years and is still family-run. "What You'll Find in Our Authentic Jewish Deli: Attitude; Corned Beef; Pastrami; Lox; Bagels; Cream Cheese; Chopped Liver; Familiar Faces; Rye Bread; Chicken Soup; Matzo; Challah; Friends; Kosher Salami; Giant Hot Dogs; Cheesecake; Rugelach; Knowledge; Brisket; Matzo Balls; Kreplach; Tradition, especially Tradition," reads its website.

In 2011, the Bagel Deli got a host of new fans when it was featured on an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in which host Guy Fieri dug into its matzo ball soup and brisket knishes — which are both still on the menu and very much worth ordering.

Fieri has visited twice more since then, and the Bagel continues to draw crowds, particularly on the weekends. It even offers a Triple D Sampler that includes the matzo ball soup, meat knish and kishke (which Fieri "thought was like a matzo ball gone wild!" the website notes).
The menu is sprawling, but you should start with one of the standouts.

Our go-to: the hot pastrami sandwich, piled high on your choice of bread, though we prefer the marbled rye. We also like to order it New York-style, loaded with coleslaw and Russian dressing.

Other favorites include the large latkes served with a side of apple sauce and sour cream; chicken soup with a choice of noodles, matzo balls or kreplach (small dumplings that the Bagel Deli describes as "Jewish won-ton"); blintz with sour cream and cherry topping; and a Dr. Brown's to wash it all down. We also always order some sweet treats to take home, usually rugelach and a couple of black and white cookies.

One thing we typically skip at the Bagel Deli, though, are the bagels, which it sources from Moe's. They're a fine bagel, but the sandwiches are the real stars.

Soon, the Bagel Deli will add an outpost at Denver International Airport; we're looking forward to getting a fix on our way out of town, or a satisfying bite after returning home from afar.

The Bagel Deli & Restaurant is located at 6439 East Hampden Avenue and open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. For more information, visit bageldeli.com.