Austin Steak Sandwich
Waterloo, 817 Main St., Louisville, waterloolouisville.com
Waterloo’s Austin steak sandwich falls somewhere on the meat sandwich spectrum between the Philly cheese steak and the sausage and peppers sandwich. It’s got some robust, spicy steak that’s pounded thin and tender, piled on a long, chewy hoagie roll. To that, Waterloo adds sautéed, juicy peppers and onions, and a spicy queso sauce that’s hard to resist. Truth is though, no matter what you order, it’s always fun to stop in at the Waterloo. $12.
Mojo Chicken
Coabana, 701 Main St., Louisville, coabana.net
Step into Coabana in Louisville and you’re liable to want to stay there all day. It’s bright, it’s festive, the drinks are fun and inventive, and the food is unique and well-prepared. Their lunch menu pares down an objectively wild and exciting dinner menu, but you can still taste some Cuban staples, like the mojo chicken. Char-grilled chicken drum and thigh are seasoned powerfully and served alongside queso fresco and spicy aji. The dish comes with a solid portion of black beans and rice. Drink it with your choice of daiquiri; it’ll likely be the best you can find in Boulder County. $11.
Cafe Latte
Gabee Coffee, 3040 28th St., Boulder, gabeecoffee.com
Out of the ashes of a Quizno’s comes a refreshing take on coffee. Taiwan’s Gabee Coffee Shop has received numerous barista and coffee-making awards, and it’s clear Boulder’s Gabee is committed to the same principles of fine coffee-making. It’s got a large menu of coffee and non-coffee drinks, and some state-of-the art brewing machines. The latte is straight-forward, creamy goodness, and one finds out upon getting the drink that Gabee is capable of some fun latte art. $3.50.
The Phinney
Rueben’s Burger Bistro, 1800 Broadway, Boulder, ruebensburgerbistro.com
Few things in life go together as well as apples and brie. The tartness of the fruit, the creamy funk of the cheese, the balance of soft and crispy textures… it’s a match made in culinary heaven. Reuben’s Burger Bistro finds a way to put this pairing on a pedestal, by poaching green apples in Bourbon, sticking them on a hulking burger and melting slices of brie over the top. They go the extra mile by adding in a honey aioli, which provides a sweetness that just feels right. Best part of all is that $1 from every Phinney purchased goes to the Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s. $12.95.
