Tacos y Salsas: If it’s summer, it’s taco season. Embrace the heat and head on over to Tacos y Salsas for as many $1.50 tacos as you can handle. Your choice of fillings (the carnitas rock) plus Mexican sodas. | Three area locations. In Denver: 910 S. Federal Blvd., 303-922-9400; in Aurora: 9103 E. Colfax Ave., 303-367-1046, and 2284 Chambers Road, 303-283-1616 | Tucker Shaw
Earls: This Canadian chain has the hot servers/quick service/good food thing down. It’s upscale enough for when you don’t feel like the food court, and fast enough to get back to the office in an hour. My Thai Noodle Salad came with lime-dressed crisp greens and still-steaming coconut chicken, $14.50. The Santa Fe Chicken Salad combines spicy chicken with creamy avocado and feta cheese, studded with dates, corn and black beans, $14.50. | 140-1600 Glenarm Place, Denver; 303-595-3275 | Kristen Browning-Blas
Fiona’s Delicatessen: Not that it’s a bad thing, but this locally owned deli has almost too many choices, including a fat Reuben, above. A customer could get a crick in her neck looking up at the big chalkboard with 41 sandwiches. I finally chose Rosie’s Roundup, $5.95, roasted veggies in a balsamic glaze with house-made hummus in a soft, warm pita. Browse in the adjacent Reader’s Cove bookstore while you wait for your sandwich. | 1001 E. Harmony Road, Fort Collins, 970-530-2120 | Kristen Browning-Blas
