After opening Skoops Ice Cream & More in early June, owners Tim Hamann and Eddie Horn took to Cheesman Park for some guerrilla marketing. Using sidewalk chalk, they scribbled “Skoops Ice Cream at 9th & Downing” on the bike path every quarter mile or so. The tactic successfully got me (and who knows else) through the doors. Two visits later, Skoops has become one of my staple lunch spots.

I first stopped in for the excellent all-natural, organic Boulder Ice Cream (try the lemon cream), but I returned for the panini. More than a dozen grilled ciabatta sandwiches are on offer, and best bets include the chicken pesto with hunks of roasted chicken breast and creamy pesto aïoli and the riff on the muffaletta (pictured), which is jammed with ham, turkey, corned beef, and a house-made olive tapenade. All come with a side salad of organic greens, zesty balsamic vinaigrette, and the unusual but welcome addition of lemony caper berries.

From the looks of the dessert case, Hamann and Horn love to bake. The selection changes daily, but I’ve spied lemon tart, coconut cake, peanut butter pie, flourless chocolate cake, and chocolate-chip cookies topped with chocolate and walnuts. Each dessert comes with a scoop of ice cream. I can hardly wait.

Bonus: Hamann and Horn are some of the friendliest, most customer-service-oriented guys in the business.

1209 E. Ninth Ave., 720-362-3692

Amanda M. Faison
Amanda M. Faison
Freelance writer Amanda M. Faison spent 20 years at 5280 Magazine, 12 of those as Food Editor.