Purposefully portable, wonderfully versatile and requiring nothing more than a pair of hands (and wide jaw) to consume, the sandwich is about a lot more than just bologna and cheese. It’s prosciutto di parma, a smear of Gorgonzola dolce and fresh figs on a baguette; a spicy torta de milanesa on crusty bolillo; a classic Reuben on toasted rye. And while you could inhale a different sandwich every day of the year in Denver, these are three of the city’s greatest shops.
At Masterpiece Deli, a cosmopolitan sandwich shop in Lower Highland, regulars get positively grabby for the housemade truffled egg salad, punctuated with briny capers and dots of red onion. Sheeted with leafy romaine, the earthy mix is then piled high between two halves of toasted classic white bread. The braised beef brisket, boosted with caramelized onions, arugula, red-wine gastrique and Taleggio fondue has a devoted legion of fans, too. Order at the counter before you stake out a seat, preferably on the patio overlooking the city skyline, and behold the masterpieces that live up to the deli’s name.
The lunch line at Vert Kitchen in Washington Park often stretches beyond the front door, and the menu is as small as the artsy brick space. The sandwiches themselves unleash huge pops of flavor combinations, inspired by French culinary techniques. They’re all notable, but the house-roasted turkey, bolstered with chèvre and stacked with mixed greens, roasted tomatoes and figs soaked in balsamic vinegar, is divine. The sandwiches are paired with a side, the seasonal selections of which change on a whim, but if it’s available, insist on the pumpkin seed, quinoa and sweet corn salad.
Torta Grill, a modest, spare joint that sits in Capitol Hill, is mostly a takeout operation. During off-peak hours, it’s possible to secure one of the five stools that overlook the open kitchen, a hustle-bustle galley that trumpets the signature sandwich of Mexico: the torta. The skyscraping gut bombs are made with split, pre-buttered and toasted telera bread, then smeared with fresh avocado, refried beans and mayonnaise and topped with onions and tomato. Your protein of choice – chicken, ham, breaded steak, chorizo and more – comes loaded with cheese and chipotle sauce or jalapeños, depending on the sandwich you’ve ordered. But all of them are heroic in their abundance, ensuring a full stomach and plenty of leftovers.
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The grappling fighting style known as jujitsu first came to Brazil in 1914 stored in the hands and mind of Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese immigrant and master of the art. He only stayed a year, but it was enough time to plant the seeds for a new jujitsu academy in Brazil. One of the first students at that academy was Hélio Gracie.
Hélio absorbed the fighting style quickly, adapting many of the techniques to suit his small frame. He discovered methods of leverage that allowed him to execute joint locks, choke holds, and takedowns on much larger opponents, forming the core of his new Gracie jujitsu method. Ultimately, Hélio's son Royce brought the fighting style to America, famously winning UFC 1, 2, and 4 by defeating opponents many times his own size. Suddenly, Americans lined up to learn this newly unveiled Brazilian fighting style, demonstrating their eagerness by folding themselves inside a box and shipping themselves south.
Relson Gracie, Hélio's second oldest son, chose to be an ambassador of his family's fighting style. He was already teaching abroad when his little brother Royce skyrocketed Brazilian jujitsu to popularity. He founded his first school under the name Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Hawaii, and as the art became popular, he opened new branches of his academy all across the United States. Today, he visits more than 40 academies and associations, sharing his knowledge with thousands of students. In his absence, he leaves instructors whom he personally trained to oversee the education of aspiring fighters.
6707 West Ken Caryl Avenue
Littleton,
CO
US
Founder and medical director Dr. Terry Grossman and a team of health professionals have made Grossman Wellness Center one of the largest complementary medical centers in the country. Together, the specialists strive to extend patients' lives by detecting and preventing disease or perilous cracks in the sidewalk. Dr. Grossman holds board certifications from the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine & Regenerative Medicine, the American Holistic Medical Association, and the American Board of Heavy Metal Toxicology. An international anti-aging educator and co-author of Transcend: Nine Steps to Living Well Forever, Grossman's words have graced numerous media outlets, including Oprah's website. To achieve the company's mission, Grossman and his medical staff perform comprehensive examinations and diagnostic evaluations for free-radical testing, biological age measurement, and genomic testing. The crew then recommends dietary changes or hormone therapy to avoid foreseeable ills.
The center also enhances vitality with acupuncture sessions and traditional Chinese medicine. Velina Lujan, a certified massage therapist, relationship counselor, and certified holistic stress manager, uses eastern and western practices to help clients control stress. Paula Quesada, the on-staff medical aesthetician, refreshes complexions with chemical peels, microdermabrasions, and facials, and Dr. Grossman use traditional dermal fillers or a process called autologous fat transfer to combat wrinkles.
4946 South Miller Way
Littleton,
CO
US
Lyle Phetteplace fell in love with the outdoors and his home state of Colorado at an early age. Today, he runs Renaissance Adventure Guides so he can pursue his passion and allow others to experience adventure, too. The excursions he curates include hiking, kayaking, climbing, backpacking, and even sea kayaking, a skill beginners hone on the lakes of Colorado before moving on to distant ocean destinations, such as Costa Rica. Lyle and his team also design guided travel tours of the country, which presents excellent terrain for hiking, backpacking, and other activities.
The staff at Renaissance Adventure Guides believe outdoor adventures can bring people closer to their fellow participants and to the environment, so they treat each experience differently. They customize adventures to suit the abilities and goals of their customers, while also keeping groups at a manageable size so everyone receives personal attention and a unique, secret high-five. Because safety is always at the forefront of any expedition, they also offer avalanche training with instructors qualified by the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education. Additionally, they pass along their love of exploring to children through kids camps filled with days paddling the river.
Chatfield State Park
Littleton,
CO
US
After wowing audiences with her dance moves for more than 25 years, Rachelle Nemec—a former captain of the Denver Nuggets Dancers who has twirled across Las Vegas stages and several TV commercials—decided to ignite a passion for the arts in her community's children. At X-treme Dance Force, she helms an experienced crew of dance instructors who hail from such prestigious arts organizations as the Houston Grand Opera, Hawaii's Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre, and the Kim Robards Dance company. They teach kids of all abilities to perform a variety of dance styles that range from contemporary pointe and tap to hip-hop in classes divided by age. Their comprehensive instruction helps students master fundamental moves and confidently conquer turns, leaps, and shuffles for memorable touchdown celebrations.
The instructors further prepare kids for a career in the arts with drama and musical-theater training, and they host auditions for the studio's three dance companies, which whip advanced students into performance form. In addition to the studio's yearly dance competitions, these students show off their moves at instructional dance conventions, Denver Nuggets games, Colorado Christian University basketball games, and local fairs.
8204 S Kipling Pkwy
Littleton,
CO
US
After spending years working for Dominos Pizza, Vince Schmuhl decided that he could do a better job of preparing and delivering quality pies to people's homes. He challenged the nationwide chain's dominance in the region by founding the first Blackjack Pizza on June 29, 1983.
Although delivering oven-fresh pies within 30 minutes was still a major goal for Schmuhl, he emphasized the importance of quality ingredients using sauce made from freshly packed tomatoes as well as hand-tossed dough that never sees the inside of a freezer or cryogenic chamber. This dedication to quality and speedy service allowed Blackjack Pizza to not only survive, but also thrive over the decades. The chain now includes more than 40 stores operating in four different states.
In addition to offering seven signature pies, Blackjack Pizza also allows customers to build their own order from crust to toppings. A choice of up to four savory, tangy, and piquant sauces form the base, topped with any of the 3 available cheeses, 7 meats, and 10 freshly diced vegetables. Regardless of the toppings, Blackjack Pizza respects the potential danger of food allergies by ensuring that none of its pies ever contain traces of MSG, peanuts, or peanut oil.
7500 S University Blvd
Centennial,
CO
US
So established is Circle K that even brand-new vehicles recognize what its red-and-white logo stands for—fuel, snacks, and everything else a car might need to keep powering down the road with its driver. Circle K's story starts back in 1951, when Fred Hervey bought three Kay's Food Stores in El Paso, Texas. Under his guidance, these three little shops grew into the more than 3,000 convenience stores that crouch on our nation's street corners today.
After rolling up to a Circle K, drivers can pump their faithful roadsters full of high-octane fuel and send them skipping through a car wash to experience the cleansing touch of Blue Coral Beyond Green and Rain-X products. Then it's time to step inside the air-conditioned shop for a peek at the provisions. Rows of sodas hibernate behind glass doors, and snacks, candy, and their ATM guardians stand boldly out in the open. Some Circle Ks also offer the Take Away Café, which presents an appetizing lineup of healthy road fare including Ball Park hot dogs. Drivers can gear up for a long drive with Premium Coffees or enjoy a cold Polar Pop, whose specially formulated cup keeps drinks colder thanks to the family of tiny snowmen trapped in its foam walls.
6798 W Ottawa Ave
Littleton,
CO
US