Visit the Smiling Moose Deli, Centennial Colorado!

With the taste of my first "Mighty MO" still lingering in my mouth I must tell AC readers about this gem of a deli in Colorado.

Trekking across the U.S - again - heading toward Western Wyoming, one finds this writer spending a few days outside of Denver in an area named Centennial. Centennial is south of Denver on Interstate 25 at Exit #197, east of Littleton Colorado, and a continuous traffic/shopping experience to both!

Restaurants abound making Colorado a foodies dream. Every chain seen across the U.S. is seen here, -- making the Smiling Moose Deli a novelty. Smiling Moose is only located in the State of Colorado. (smilingmoosedeli.com) I have to admit I drove by it a number of times unsure if I should stop. Curiosity got the best of me.

Smiling Moose Deli is a great deli! Lovers of breakfast migrate to the 'Moose' throughout the day to enjoy breakfast style sandwiches full of scrumptious ingredients at any hour. "The Morning Moose" is a customer favorite - choice of meat, cheese and scrambled eggs on a toasted bagel. Sounds good? Try my new favorite breakfast, a "BYOS" (standing for "build your own sandwich". Start with a toasted bagel - layered with sliced tomatoes, vegetable cream cheese (light version), Lox and provolone melted on top, Yummers! (I add diced red onions also). There are wraps and kaiser roll sandwiches, you can even have sunflower seeds sprinkled on top. Add peanut butter, assorted cream cheeses, jellies, butter, eggs, meats, cheeses, tomatoes, on and on till you create your own specialty, -- and then enjoy.

Lunch and dinner are just as inviting with sandwiches made on "grinder" rolls. But wait - you can also build your own ("BYOS") on any number of breads or tortillas, with breads including but not limited to Focaccia, Rye, and multi-grain; tortillas that include Spinach and a Red Chile. Pile high with fresh ingredients such as banana peppers, artichoke hearts, cilantro, sun-dried tomatoes,lettuce and chopped red onions just to name a few. Meats include capicola, chicken salad, turkey, beef, etc. Smear on a spread of pesto mayo, creamy horseradish, oil and vinegar, or a combo of the 10+ spreads and you are set for a memorable meal in a fun-filled deli.

Now, back up to the beginning of this article. Just before this writing, on my third trip to the Smiling Moose (three trips in three days is not a bad thing) I decided to try "The Mighty Mo!" Being a burger lover since practically birth I was a little skeptical. This sandwich is known as a 'cheeseburger grinder' with tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, banana peppers, oil and vinegar and of course red onions. Oh, little Mayo too. Let's talk hamburger meat now. They use ground sirloin at Smiling Moose and do not shape it into the traditional burger shape, they leave it loose. Yep. Loose. You have a choice of 5" or 12" sandwich. Being skeptical of their creation I ordered a 5".

Let me cut to the chase and tell you that this is probably one of the most pleasant deli experiences I have had in all my travels. The "Mighty Mo" is terrific! The last bite is just as good as the first. This sandwich is moist and flavorful and the sprinkling of oil and vinegar brings out the flavors of the fresh vegetables.

There are currently six locations through Colorado - directions and maps are available on their website. (smilingmoosedeli.com).

There is a great kids menu, and Smiling Moose caters just about any size group. The hours seem a little lame - closing at 7 p.m. on a Friday night, 4 p.m. on Saturday - cutting out late night munchies run. (At least at the Centennial location). However, customers can call in an order to go before closing and be ready for movie night.

Check out the website (smilingmoosedeli.com) and put this on your list of places to visit when traveling through Colorado.

Snow, John Denver music, the magnificent Rocky Mountains and Smiling Moose Deli! What a trip.....