It’s the beginning of a new year. I, like a gazillion others out there, am on my annual January binge diet, watching my intake of carbs, calories, fat, sugar, and basically anything else that’s good to eat.

But already my willpower is weakening. The celery is looking bland, I’m craving chocolate constantly, and today I drove past Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli in Highlands Square. It was, quite simply, way too much pressure. I caved.

For what it’s worth, I think Heidi’s Deli — the original Highlands location in particular — has the very best sandwiches in Denver. Not surprising, since it was started 10 years ago by a husband and wife team who relocated to Denver from Brooklyn and made it their mission to bring a proper New York-style deli to our little cowtown. (Heidi’s currently has expanded to five locations; downtown at 17th & Lawrence, 8th & Colorado, South Broadway at Iowa, and in Northglenn on 120th)

The chicken salad is my favorite; creamy, lightly spiced, with huge chunks of tender chicken, all piled onto slices of homemade bread. The bread alone is enough to warrant a trip. My fave: the fresh-baked wheat, which they cut into huge, soft, chewy slices and load up with all kinds of tasty cuts of meat, cheeses, veggies, and condiments.

It’s probably not the best diet food in town (especially if you go for the killer chicken salad). But it’s not the worst either. It’s an indulgence that you don’t have to feel too terribly guilty about, and those are the best kind.

Of course, tonight, I’ll most likely be eating salad.