Pho Duy, 945 South Federal Boulevard The Denver area has dozens and dozens of pho shops, most of which serve up decent bowls of noodle soup. But only a few really stand out, and the one that rises to the top is Pho Duy, which is located in a strip mall on Federal Boulevard. The menu is as spare as the decor. Save for a few specialties and spring rolls, there's not much offered beyond pho -- but the kitchen doesn't need to make anything else to pull in crowds. Its intensely layered broth, which tastes like it comes from a very well-seasoned pot, supports nests of springy noodles, thin slices of beef, brisket or offal, and all the fresh herbal produce you can stand. Ribbon it with sriracha or ask for a little of the restaurant's homemade hot sauce for a punch of heat. Pho 95, 1002 South Federal Boulevard Pho 95 is another contender for the best pho-maker in town. We're suckers for the brimming bowls of rich beef broth filled with tendon, tripe or rare steak and noodles, sided by heaps of bean sprouts, cilantro and saw-leaf herb. But we also love almost everything else on Pho 95's menu, including bun (noodle bowls), spring rolls, egg rolls and a plate of thin pork chops, coated in a sweet-savory marinade and grilled crispy. Ba Le Sandwich, 1044 South Federal Boulevard There are a few places to get great banh mi sandwiches in town, but our favorite is Ba Le, a tiny shop that turns out the city's best version, packing crisp-crusted baguettes with pate, pickled carrots, jalapeños and cilantro, among other fillings. You'll have to take your sandwich to go -- or perch on the planter outside to eat it -- but at less than $5 each, this is lunch on the cheap.