Have you ever traveled to Italy? For many of us, the dream of traveling to such a dreamy and delicious place is not in the cards anytime soon, which is why we are extra thankful that Colorado has its own “Little Italy,” complete with this authentic and historic eatery: Welcome to the downright delicious Gaetano's, home to "Denver's Best Italian Food!"

Nestled away in Denver's historic "Little Italy" neighborhood, Gaetano's is an iconic eatery once owned by the Smaldone crime family, who used the legitimate restaurant side of their business to cover up some of its shadier parts (a la illegal gambling and bootlegging).