Roast beef sandwiches have a way of turning first-time customers into regulars, and Colorado has a handful of delis that take that meat seriously. From horseradish-heavy Denver classics to old-school family shops in Littleton and Pueblo, these spots pile quality beef onto bread that actually holds up.
Some are quick lunch stops, others are worth planning your day around. Here are eight roast beef joints across the state that keep people coming back for more.
1. Lou’s Italian Specialties, Denver, CO
Horseradish is the secret weapon at this neighborhood spot on North Downing Street. The roast beef sandwich comes with a horseradish aioli, muenster cheese, and mixed greens, and it has earned a loyal following for good reason.
Lou’s leans into NY-style roast beef packed onto fantastic bread, and you can grab it as a boxed lunch if you want it ready to go. The shop doubles as a specialty grocery, so you can shop for authentic Italian ingredients while you wait.
The menu stretches well beyond beef, with the Lou’s Muffuletta, prosciutto mozz panini, arancini balls, and potato salad rounding things out. Prices land in the $10 to $20 range per person.
Hours run Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 8 PM, with earlier weekend openings at 8 AM. Sunday and Thursday afternoons get busy, so a Friday morning visit is your quietest bet.
Parking includes free lot and street options.
2. Carmine Lonardo’s Italian, Lakewood, CO
Bread makes or breaks a sandwich, and the loaves here come with a chewy exterior and a fluffy interior that holds up for more than one meal. That structural integrity matters when the beef is piled as high as it is at this Lakewood deli.
Carmine Lonardo’s is a family-run Italian deli known for sausage, meatballs, and sandwiches, plus pizza, pasta, and catering platters. The roast beef and Italian beef sandwiches are the usual go-to, and the meat and cheese selection rivals a good butcher shop.
Dominic’s Old School Combo is a standout on the menu, and the 12-inch sizes are filling enough to split. Cakes, including pistachio, are also part of the lineup here.
The deli is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and closed on Sunday. Saturday afternoons are the busiest, while weekday mornings stay calm.
There is free lot and street parking, and this is a takeout and dine-in spot with no delivery.
3. Oliver’s Deli, Colorado Springs, CO
Order the Peak beef dip on French bread and you get a serious amount of roast beef tucked into a crusty loaf, served with au jus for dipping. That combination is the calling card at this Colorado Springs deli on Delmonico Drive.
Oliver’s is a laid-back neighborhood shop that serves sandwiches, soups, and salads alongside pastries and coffee. Fresh homemade bread, sliced meats and cheeses, and homegrown sprouts go into the sandwiches.
Beyond the beef, the menu includes The Oliver, a build-your-own sandwich option, carrot cake, cream of mushroom soup, and a half sandwich and soup combo for lighter appetites. Portions on the sides are generous.
The shop opens early, running Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 4 PM, Saturday from 8 AM to 2 PM, and closed Sunday. Weekday afternoons tend to fill up.
Curbside pickup, delivery, and dine-in are all available, with free parking in the lot and on the street.
4. South Jersey Subs, Colorado Springs, CO
East Coast sub energy lives in a small shop on Brookwood Drive, where the bread comes out fresh, a little crispy outside and soft inside. That attention to the roll is a big part of why the roast beef here gets talked up so much.
South Jersey Subs is a cozy lunch and dinner spot that puts fresh, high-quality meats into authentic subs. The Cold Roast Beef and Provolone Sub is the one to know, though the menu also has a Special Italian, meatball sub, cheesesteaks, and even a tuna and provolone option.
Counter service keeps things quick, and the atmosphere stays casual and quiet. It works for solo lunches, families, and college students alike, with high chairs and a kid-friendly setup.
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 5:30 PM, closed Sunday, and reservations are not accepted. Thursday and Saturday afternoons draw the biggest crowds.
Parking is plentiful and free, and outdoor seating is available.
5. Deli Works, Fort Collins, CO
Some sandwiches follow you around for years after you move away, and the ones here have that kind of staying power in Fort Collins. Fresh roast beef and ham get piled onto homemade rolls at this old-school deli on South College Avenue.
Deli Works is a cozy shop serving the usual sandwiches, soups, and burgers, plus freshly baked breads. The Reuben is a highlight, built with tender corned beef and swirled rye, and the daily handmade desserts and homemade chips round out a full meal.
The place also serves gyro meat and offers a kids’ menu, making it easy for groups. There is live music, outdoor seating, and it serves a local specialty.
It sits close to the Registry Ridge area for anyone in the south end of town.
Open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM and closed Sunday, the deli gets busiest on Thursday and Friday afternoons. Parking is free and usually plentiful, and reservations are not taken.
6. Rocco’s Riverside Deli, Pueblo, CO
Roast beef and havarti is the pairing that puts this Pueblo deli on the map. The beef comes thinly sliced and well seasoned, with crisp lettuce, tomato, and just the right amount of horseradish to keep it interesting.
Rocco’s Riverside Deli specializes in warm and cold sandwiches, salads, panini, and wraps, and the soups earn their own fans, including a chili philly. You can also get the roast beef with provolone or as a cheddar panini if you want to switch things up.
Sandwiches here are stacked with care and the meats and cheeses are top quality. Service moves fast, which suits the weekday lunch crowd well.
The hours are limited, so plan ahead: Monday through Thursday from 11 AM to 6:30 PM, Friday only until 2 PM, and closed both Saturday and Sunday. Afternoons midweek are the busiest stretch.
There is free lot parking, and it is a dine-in and takeout spot with no delivery.
7. Cruise Control Kitchen and Cellar, Grand Junction, CO
A Chicago-style beef sandwich in western Colorado might sound like a stretch, but this Grand Junction spot delivers one that reads like a taste of home for transplants. The Italian Beef Kit and loaded beef sandwiches are the draw here.
Cruise Control Kitchen and Cellar is a relaxed venue known for gourmet hot dogs with creative toppings, soups, sandwiches, and other casual fare. Sandwiches come loaded with giardiniera, and each one has a non-meat or meat substitute option, which makes it easy for vegetarian friends to eat here too.
The menu also features flatbread pizza, brie and goat cheese toffee puffs, a soup flight, and small plates. The vibe is trendy and comfortable, with fast service, live music, and a setup that works for watching sports.
Open Monday through Thursday from noon to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday until 10 PM, and Sunday from 1 to 8 PM, it gets busiest on weekend evenings. It is dog-friendly, kid-friendly, and has free wi-fi and plenty of parking.
8. Old Fashioned Italian Deli, Littleton, CO
The Roast Beef Bomber is exactly the kind of sandwich that turns Littleton locals into repeat customers. Thin-sliced meats, lettuce, and onions land on soft, fresh bread, and the portions run generous.
Old Fashioned Italian Deli is a homey, family-run, old-school sandwich spot that also serves pizza and pasta dishes. The menu carries classic East Coast picks like Italian Beef, pastrami, a meatball sub, and even a beef on weck for the roast beef die-hards.
Quality meat and ingredients define the sandwiches, and the friendly staff give the place its neighborhood charm. This is a no-frills operation where the food is the point.
Hours are short and specific, running Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 1:30 PM and closed Sunday, so time your visit for that lunch window. It is a dine-in, takeout, and in-store shopping spot with no delivery.
Free lot and street parking make the quick stop easy.
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