Cheap eats: Julian's Deli

A vegetarian sandwich and a conversation platter at Julian's Deli and Spirits in downtown Loveland. (Credit: Leigh Patton | Metromix)

The mood: Located right off of the Loveland Bike Trail, Julian’s Deli offers cool craft beverages and New York-style sandwiches.

The deli has numerous bike racks outside. Inside, you’ll be greeted by the smiling owners and a deli case full of cold salads and a lazy Susan of craft beer choices.

There are quaint tables and local artwork inside and a patio with umbrellas if you’re in the mood to enjoy the weather.

Julian’s occasionally has a DJ and live music on the patio on Fridays and Saturdays and have karaoke on Wednesdays and wine tastings on Thursdays.

The owners have purchased the space next door – which used to house the Loveland Café, which has moved down the street and reopened as Café 45140 – and turned it into a pub to serve their craft beer and wines. The deli does close in the winter however.

The food: Julian’s Deli has a variety of sandwiches, homemade cold salads and soups, casseroles and seasonal fruits and some desserts. Everything on the menu is available for carry out during any time of the day.

On a recent Saturday, my husband and I stopped in to have a late lunch.

I decided to try the owners’ recommendation and try one of their new Panini sandwiches. I chose the Pesto Chicken ($7.29) on Ciabatta bread with tomato and Mozzerella cheese and a side of the red skin potato salad ($4). The panini had just the right amount of pesto and other fixings to make it perfect and the potato salad tasted just like something my grandmother used to make.

My husband decided to try the All American Club ($6.99), with turkey, ham, bacon and Swiss on toasted white bread with tomato, lettuce and mayo. He added a side of their homemade broccoli slaw ($4). The sandwich was made to order and piled high.

The drinks: Julian’s Deli offers your usual beer choices such as Bud Light, but also has a variety of craft beers. You can slowly choose off of the lazy Susan or spin it and close your eyes.

My husband went with his usual Lienenkugel’s Summer Shandy, which was poured in a frosted glass ($3).

I decided to have the Wyder’s Pear Cider ($3). I had never tried Wyder’s but enjoyed it so much that I picked up a six-pack at the store on my way home.

If you stop in the deli for a wine tasting or to try out their craft wines, be sure to order one of the fruit and cheese platters or fruit and cracker platters to go with it.