Menu & Pricing
🥪 Signature Sandwiches (on fresh focaccia)
• Italian Sandwich - $14 (salami, capicola, ham, provolone, house dressing)
• House Pastrami - $15 (in-house smoked, Swiss, mustard)
• Turkey Bacon Avocado - $15 (roasted turkey, bacon, avocado, provolone)
• Roast Beef - $15 (house-roasted, cheddar, horseradish)
• Gluten-Free Bread available (+$3)
🥗 Lighter Options
• Veggie Sandwich - $12 (roasted vegetables, hummus, provolone)
• Soup of the Day - $6 cup / $8 bowl
• Garden Salad - $8
What Makes Scratch Special
The name says it all: everything at Scratch Deli & Bakery is made from scratch, daily. The focaccia bread that forms the foundation of every sandwich bakes fresh each morning - soft inside with a perfectly chewy crust that holds up to trail conditions. The pastrami cures in-house over days, not minutes. At 4.6 stars from 708+ reviews, this small operation consistently outranks much larger restaurants.
Location-wise, Scratch sits on Moraine Avenue - the main route toward Rocky Mountain National Park. The timing works perfectly: open at 8am, grab a sandwich, and hit the trailhead by 9am. The sandwiches are built substantial. A whole Italian on focaccia can easily feed two on the trail, or provide lunch and post-hike recovery for one hungry hiker.
The bakery side shouldn't be overlooked. The cinnamon rolls are legitimately excellent - not the dense, overly sweet tourist-trap variety. The chocolate chip cookies come out warm. For those with dietary restrictions, the gluten-free bread option (+$3) receives consistent praise as actually tasting good, not just adequate.
What to Order (Signature Dishes)
The Italian ($14) - The most popular sandwich for good reason. House-cured salami, capicola, and ham layered with provolone and the house dressing on that signature focaccia. The bread-to-meat ratio is calibrated for satisfaction, not show. This is the pre-hike sandwich of choice.
House Pastrami ($15) - The in-house smoking process creates pastrami that rivals dedicated delis. Paired with Swiss cheese and proper mustard on focaccia. The meat is sliced thick enough to taste but thin enough to bite through easily. Worth the extra dollar over the Italian for pastrami lovers.
Turkey Bacon Avocado ($15) - The lighter option that doesn't feel like a compromise. Roasted turkey (not processed deli meat), crispy bacon, fresh avocado, and provolone. The avocado adds richness without weighing down the sandwich.
Cinnamon Roll ($5) - Not a sandwich, but possibly the best bakery item in Estes Park. Generously sized, properly glazed, and still warm if the timing is right. Grab one with morning coffee before hitting the park.
💡 Pro Tip: Order a whole sandwich and ask them to wrap each half separately. Eat half at the trailhead, save half for the summit or post-hike. The focaccia holds up for hours without getting soggy. Call ahead for groups of 4+ to avoid the morning rush.
The Honest Take
At 4.6 stars, Scratch delivers exactly what it promises: scratch-made food that tastes noticeably better than mass-produced alternatives. The focaccia alone elevates every sandwich above standard deli fare. The in-house smoked meats add depth that pre-packaged options simply cannot match.
The limitations are real. Hours run 8am-3pm, Thursday through Monday only. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday means no midweek convenience. The space is small - this is grab-and-go, not linger-over-lunch. Limited seating means most people eat elsewhere or on the trail. Prices run slightly higher than standard delis, but the quality justifies the premium.
Service is counter-style and efficient. The team knows what they're doing and moves quickly during morning rush. Wait times vary - arriving before 9am or after noon typically means shorter lines. The vegan and gluten-free options are thoughtful additions, not afterthoughts, making this one of the more dietary-inclusive spots in town.
Who It's For (And Who It's Not For)
Best for: Hikers wanting trail-worthy sandwiches, food lovers who appreciate scratch-made quality, anyone needing pre-RMNP fuel, vegetarian and gluten-free diners, and those who value craft over convenience.
Skip if: You need a sit-down restaurant experience, want dinner (closes at 3pm), need food Tuesday or Wednesday, or prefer quick fast-food pricing over quality.
Looking for other pre-hike options? Check Big Horn Restaurant for hearty breakfast (opens 7am) or Bird's Nest for pastries and early coffee (opens 6am).
Practical Information
- 📍Location: 911 Moraine Ave (on the way to RMNP)
- ⏰Hours: Thu-Mon 8am-3pm, Closed Tue-Wed
- 🚗Parking: Street parking on Moraine Ave
- 📋Ordering: Counter service, call ahead for large orders
- 🌿Dietary: Vegan options, gluten-free bread (+$3)
- 🥡Takeout: Yes - built for grab-and-go
- 💳Payment: Credit cards accepted
💡 Hiker Hack: The Italian sandwich at $14 is substantial enough to split between two people for a trail lunch. Add a chocolate chip cookie ($3) each and two bottles of water ($4-6), and two hikers eat well for under $25. The focaccia stays fresh for hours - perfect for summit picnics.