Lou's Italian Specialties: Authentic Deli Delights in Denver

About Lou's Italian Specialties

Discover a slice of Italy right in the heart of Denver at Lou's Italian Specialties, a charming deli that captures the essence of authentic Italian cuisine. Located at 3357 N Downing St, this cozy spot offers a delightful array of freshly made sandwiches and hot plates that will transport your taste buds straight to the streets of Rome.

Step inside and be welcomed by the warm, inviting atmosphere, where the smell of freshly baked bread wafts through the air. Lou's specializes in handcrafted sandwiches that feature quality ingredients, ensuring each bite bursts with flavor. One standout option is the Louie, a tantalizing combination of Genoa salami, capicola, ham, and provolone, all enhanced with crisp lettuce, fresh tomatoes, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar. It's a classic that never disappoints!

If you're craving something with a bit more zest, the Roman Fiesta will certainly satisfy. This sandwich comes loaded with Genoa salami, pepperoni, and ham, topped with melty mozzarella and roasted red peppers, all layered with mixed greens and balsamic vinegar for an unforgettable kick. Many patrons rave about the freshness and abundance of flavors, noting that the ingredients taste like they were handpicked that very day.

For those seeking a heartier meal, Lou’s hot plates shine with options like the Orecchiette Broccoli Rabe, a dish that marries tender pasta with flavorful pork sausage, broccoli rabe, and a sprinkle of Parmesan that simply melts in your mouth. Vegetarians will love the Eggplant Parmesan Over Pasta, which showcases breaded eggplant layered with herbed ricotta and Lou's signature marinara sauce. Customers like Ryan Garcia have expressed their delight over dishes like the chicken parmesan, commending its crispy breading and rich, savory sauce.

Aside from the delicious fare, what truly sets Lou's apart is the genuine hospitality. Reviewers have consistently highlighted the friendly and prompt service, making dining here a pleasurable experience from start to finish. Katherine Haywood appreciated the staff's willingness to answer questions and offer options for every palate, while Spacemansam praised the freshness of his roast beef and horseradish sandwich.

While some guests felt offerings could be a bit pricey, they agreed that the quality of ingredients and the taste justify the cost. After all, Lou's is a place where you'll find more than just a meal; you'll find an experience rooted in authenticity and passion for Italian cuisine.

Whether you're looking for a quick lunch or a relaxing dinner, Lou's Italian Specialties promises to deliver a delightful culinary journey that keeps locals and newcomers coming back for more. Don't miss out on this exceptional deli – your taste buds will thank you!

Features

Accessibility

Has wheelchair-accessible entrance

Service options

Offers delivery

In-store pick-up for online orders

Has in-store shopping

Offers takeaway

Serves dine-in

Amenities

Has gender-neutral toilets

Crowd

LGBTQ+ friendly

Planning

Good for quick visit

Payments

Accepts credit cards

Accepts debit cards

Accepts NFC mobile payments

Credit cards

Parking

Free of charge street parking

Photo Gallery

Location & Map

Openings Hours

Monday

10:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Tuesday

10:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Wednesday

10:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Thursday

10:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Guest Reviews

898 Reviews

C O

30 Oct 2025

This place is so cute. It was a little overpriced for a sandwich. But it was definitely amazing and I would come back. The staff was so friendly they had answered all of our questions and gave us options. My friend ordered the pasta and said it was amazing.

John Blatt

13 Oct 2025

The food itself was excellent. I could tell that everything was fresh and hand made, clean ingredients and not a ton of salt which is good. My one and only complaint is that the "full" length sub's are only 8 inches long. For *18 DOLLARS* that is ridiculous. Both my son and I were still hungry after eating a "full sized" meatball sub. For $40 (between the two of us) to not be full for that price is ludicrous. To get an extra 4 inches of a sub (to make it a foot long) would have been plenty of food, but you would have to purchase another $10 for four extra inches of sub making it $28 for a footlong meatball sub. The sub was good, but its not worth $28 for 12 inches of sub.

Spacemansam

19 Sep 2025

Extremely friendly and fast service. I got the Roast beef and horseradish sandwich which was absolutely delicious! Props to these guys for putting out really fresh ingredients and just overall very happy with my experience. Will reccomend to friends and family and will be back in frequently.

Katherine Haywood

18 Sep 2025

This place is awesome for Italian food in the area. They have a few tables indoors and a few tables outdoors. I got half of the Italian beef and thought it was tastey but a bit overpriced for half of a sandwich and no side. The peppers had a bit of a kick which is great. I would come back and try some other things.

Ryan Garcia

06 Sep 2025

This place is sooo good. The chicken parm was absolutely perfect — from the crispy breading to the tender chicken and rich, savory sauce. The gnocchi was soft, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. And don’t sleep on the fried ravioli — the perfect starter to an amazing meal. Definitely coming back to try the rest of the menu!

Moon Morales

05 Sep 2025

Smells like little Italy as soon as you walk in. The guy behind the counter is knowledgeable and friendly. The managers or owners are great as well. Everyone seems to enjoy being employed there which is comforting. Food is amazing! You can always tell a good Italian restaurant by its sauce and this place is not missing a beat. From their hot chicken cutlet sandwich which is a must try, to the eggplant Parmesan which is also great! Cannoli are fabulous and pretty much anything in the menu will be great! We love coming here. We try to arrive before the dinner rush and after lunch rush due to limited seating. We have not had any issues with not finding a place to sit.

Sam Sawyer

27 Jul 2025

Came in for the first time the other day after hearing a lot about Lou’s for two years or so. A bit intimidated with all of the menu options and it being my first time, so I got an Italian beef (half) with giardiniera and it was pretty good! Decent portion given that it was a half sandwich. Duke’s “Chopped Cheese” nearby is the same size for a few dollars more and considered full size. Okay prices, everything appears to be given proper attention so it’s not expected to be cheap cheap. Really looking forward to getting some cannoli and some pasta to see the other side of their prepared cuisine, grabbing some deli items from their case, etc. Definitely will be back again to find out what I love.