American$midtownMon-Thu 11:00-20:00; Fri 11:00-21:00; Sat 09:00-21:00; Sun 09:00-20:00
Avogadro's Number pairs inexpensive sandwiches and a shaded beer garden with jazz, blues and comedy nights on Mason Street in Fort Collins, weekly.
Try: Garden-patio sandwiches
Tip: The back garden is the venue: live acts most weeks, weekend breakfast from 09:00, and nobody hurries you out.
Mediterranean$campus-westMon-Tue, Thu 11:00-21:45; Wed 11:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-22:15; Sun 11:00-20:45
Petra Grill carves certified halal shawarma and grills kabobs on West Elizabeth Street in Fort Collins, a family room that feeds the CSU crowd.
Try: Halal shawarma and kabobs
Tip: Everything on the menu is certified halal and there is no alcohol; the falafel-hummus sandwich is the vegetarian sleeper.
Australian$campus-westTue-Sat 11:00-19:00
Waltzing Kangaroo sells five-inch Australian meat pies in Campus West, a handheld meal in handmade pastry that undercuts most sit-down lunches nearby.
Try: Australian meat pies
Tip: Every pie is also sold frozen to take home; the lamb and rosemary is the sleeper order.
Pizza$old-townThu-Sat 16:00-20:00; Sun 15:00-19:00
Postcard Pan Pizza turns out Detroit-inspired pans at cheap-eats prices from 133 Remington Street, sharing an address with Equinox Brewing in Old Town.
Try: Detroit-style pan pizza
Tip: Hours are short, Thursday to Sunday evenings only, and the crispy-edged pans routinely sell through, so go early.
Mexican$midtownDaily 07:00-20:00
Big City Burrito wraps its famous potato burrito on South College Avenue in Fort Collins from 07:00, the original counter of a homegrown institution.
Try: The original potato burrito
Tip: The potato burrito smothered in green chile is the order that made the name; breakfast burritos run from opening.
Sandwiches$campus-westSun-Thu 10:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 10:00-02:00
Cheba Hut toasts its counterculture subs on Taft Hill Road in Fort Collins until 02:00 on weekends, with billiards, a full bar and Kool-Aid on tap.
Try: Toasted subs till late
Tip: The chain's headquarters sits in Fort Collins; the westside hut adds billiards and stays open latest. Order a White Widow toasted.