The small bistro-style sandwich place is a secret tucked away inside a building that houses Office Depot.

And it's a secret serving a happy lunch crowd almost larger than its size.

It was a secret.

Brooke and I stumbled upon RJ's Garden Café with no warning one Sunday. It was closed then, but we returned on Tuesday for lunch.

The garden café is anything but a garden, as it stares right into a shoe store. But it makes up for the view with attention to detail in decoration, with greenery and several plants surrounding the eating area.

The menu consists of many hot sandwiches, deli sandwiches and several salads (I'll be back to try the almond chicken salad: toasted almonds and chicken sautéed in tarragon honey mustard and served over house salad). The soups are homemade and the combinations are plentiful.

The sandwich portions are large enough to make two meals.

I ordered a Cajun Chicken Philly ($5.75), which came with pickle and chips and a Dr. Pepper ($.89). Brooke ordered a Hot Ham and Cheese ($5.75), which also came with pickle and chips, and a large Mountain Dew ($1.03).

Tradition, to Brooke and I, means an occasional outing for a beer and a half order of Italian nachos at Old Chicago's. Very deep, we know. But tradition is a splendid thing. So we didn't pass up the chance to try their nachos here ($4.25).

What I noticed first was the plates on which meals were served. No plastic baskets. No disposable kitchenware.

Porcelain. Even with a chip here or there, it was still as though the dishes were taken out of a cabinet from home.

The nachos were served with melted cheddar, again, as though we'd opted to stay home and try our best to melt them. They were served with black olives, sliced green onion and tomato and even chili peppers. Sour cream and salsa were served on the side. I immediately sensed the salsa was homemade, and later confirmed that it was, in fact, their own fresh version. A couple dining nearby asked what the appetizer with melted cheese was, saying it looked good.

Our sandwiches were twice what we were able to eat, large enough for two meals. Incredibly filling.

Mine was served with sliced spicy grilled chicken, sautéed onions, peppers and melted swiss cheese on a toasted French baguette. It was also served with grilled green and red pepper slices. Brooke immediately commented that it looked good. The chicken was carefully cut, with no fat sneaking into the sandwich. The pickles were a perfect touch. We took the Lay's potato chips home with us since there already was so much food at the table.

Brooke's sandwich was hot ham and cheese with swiss on a baguette. She also chose the optional lettuce and tomato. She said the ham and cheese were both excellent and commented on the warmth of the sandwich. Several of RJ's sandwiches are served as melts, which I could tell from the lunch crowd, were just what the weather ordered.

"In our travels we have realized that it is often difficult to find healthful, tasty food that is available in a few short minutes most of our busy schedules allow," the back of the menu reads. "We have strived to fill that void in a comfortable, casual setting with a little extra service and a personal touch."

The homemade dishes, good-sized kitchen staff and touches like the porcelain plates were proof enough that R.J.'s Garden Café is on its way to completing that mission.

Anna Maria Basquez is the arts and entertainment reporter at the Coloradoan. Reach her at 970-224-7847 or by email at AnnaBasquez@coloradoan.com.