APPLE SPICE JUNCTION
514 S. Washington St. • 456-2162 • Lunch Mon-Fri
The red brick counter top and aluminum siding walls give this venue an edge over the rest. Their extensive lunch menu will comfort and surprise you with classic dishes and playful twists. What’s the best part about this lunch date? You’re more likely to hear Iron and Wine playing over the speakers than some fill-in-the-blank pop artist. (JB) TRY Curry chicken sandwich ($7), Mandarin chicken salad ($9)
BLACK TIE COFFEE CO.
2910 E. 29th Ave. • 535-2843 • Lunch, Dinner daily
It’s all about the scones at this cozy Lincoln Heights coffee shop. Scones (the only food on the menu) are baked all day and always served warm. There are large tables available for groups, and the drinks are often adorned with foamy rosettes. (SH) TRY Wild berry lemon scone ($2.25), chocolate peanut butter scone ($2.25)
THE CHALET RESTAURANT
2918 S. Grand Blvd. • 747-6474 • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner daily
The best-kept secret in Spokane (if you haven’t lived on the South Hill for decades), the Chalet boasts old-fashioned charm and a hearty breakfast selection. The pancakes cover the entire surface of your plate! The wait staff never lets your coffee get half full and doesn’t mind doing substitutions for you picky eaters. (JM) TRY Pancake combo (three pancakes, egg, bacon/sausage; $6.39), chicken fried steak ($8.19)
CHINA GARDEN
4410 S. Regal St. • 448-6282 • Lunch, Dinner, Mon-Sun
Chef Raymond Kong serves up sizzling Szechuan and Mandarin dishes featuring lots of fresh vegetables and full flavors. Slide into a booth or grab a round table and fight over who gets to spin the lazy Susan for the last spoonful of Ma Po Tofu. Quick, friendly service makes this a great family place. (KH) TRY Orange chicken lunch special with soup, egg roll and rice ($7, weekdays)
FERRANTE’S MARKETPLACE CAFÉ
4516 S. Regal St. • 443-6304 • Lunch, Dinner Tues-Sat
Another boutique restaurant in a Spokane strip mall? Well, no, not really. This South Hill eatery has some of the best gelato and thin-crust pizza around. Surprisingly, they also have a selection of jewelry, home decor and accessories, toys, cards and other “essentials” such as lotions, soaps and wines for sale. (MCP) TRY Caprese panini with greens ($8), Pomodoro linguini with a side of Tuscan bread ($10)
FORZA COFFEE COMPANY
2829 E. 29th St. • 535-7179 • Breakfast, Lunch Mon-Sun
With only one Spokane location, Forza is a franchise coffee house that doesn’t feel like one. Whether you sink into an easy chair in front of the fireplace or sit outside and people-watch, you’ll enjoy Forza’s ambience, not to mention the free wi-fi. In addition to great coffee, you’ll find sandwiches and Sweetwater Bakery pastries. (KH) TRY Venetian latte ($3.60), tomato Asiago bagel ($1.75)
HOGAN’S HAMBURGERS
2977 E. 29th Ave. • 535-7567 • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Mon-Sat; Breakfast, Lunch, Sun
Like Wolffy’s, Hogan’s is the kind of diner where you take the gal you’re going steady with after the sock hop. The burgers are big and juicy, and they come with a side order of fries, soup, salad or potato salad. It’s America in a simpler, tastier time. (DW) TRY Hamburger deluxe ($5.79), Bacon burger ($7.19), Half-pound bleu burger ($8.69)
ON SACRED GROUNDS
12212 E. Palouse Hwy., Valleyford • 747-6294 • Breakfast, Lunch, Mon-Sat • onsacredgrounds.blogspot.com
Approximately 20 miles south of downtown Spokane lies a little town named Valleyford nestled amongst flourishing pine, a little white church and a fire station. Full disclaimer: I’m partial, I grew up there. This town is so small, in fact, I never thought that any business — better yet an art gallery and a coffee shop — would make it here. Since 2004, Elaine Rising has kept her wood-fire roasted coffee brewing and her walls decorated by local artists. (TLM) TRY Grilled cheese with pickles and a Sioux City Sarsaparilla ($4.25)
PARK INN
103 W. Ninth Ave. • 747-4425 • Lunch, Dinner, daily
You can’t get a room here at the P.I. — it’s an inn in the drink-beer-and-eat-cheap-food sort of way. One half of the building is a bar with a giant TV, and the other half is a restaurant. The food isn’t exactly gourmet, but rather a gut-filling complement to brewskies, chatter and the game. (ND) TRY Jo Jos ($5), ML Special Pizza ($12.75)
PICABU BISTRO
901 W. 14th Ave. • 624-2464 • Dinner daily • www.picabu-bistro.com
There’s something for everybody at this classy but causal bistro. Picabu offers a diverse mix of cuisine — everything from curry bowls to chili to Kung Pao Beef. Vegetarians luck out here with all sorts of meat-free options among their burgers, salads and pastas. (SH) TRY Falafel with Tahini sauce ($9.50), Spicy chicken chop wrap ($9.50)
ROCKWOOD BAKERY
315 E. 18th ave • 747-8691 • Breakfast, Lunch, daily • rockwoodbakery.com
The Rockwood is less of a coffee shop and more of a community hub. Nestled in the neighborhood just east of Manito Park, the warm, open-air spot — stuffed with heavy wood tables and cozy chairs — is always a day brightener. It’s just one of those places that makes a beautiful day nicer and a rainy day cozier. And there’s nothing we’ve eaten there that’s anything short of delicious. (LS) TRY Spinach and feta croissant ($2.85), Any quiche they have ($4.75, slice)
THE SCOOP
1001 W. 25th Ave. • 535-7171 • Open daily, hours vary by season • myspace.com/thescoopicecream
Chase down some Brain Freeze ice cream while catching up on the latest issue of Cycle Sport at this bike-friendly South Hill neighborhood hangout, which has a great summer-time patio and a menu larded with tasty sandwiches — including a breakfast sandwich that blows the Rocket’s out of the water. (JS) TRY Coffee barbecue chicken wrap ($6.65)
SLICK ROCK
2926 S. Grand Blvd. • 747-6041 • Lunch, Dinner, Mon-Sat • myspace.com/slickrockburrito
A staple in the local burrito scene since 1996, Slick Rock serves up five specialty burritos (the Thai chicken, the barbecue, etc.) and does custom builds at its two hip but modest stores here and on Northwest Boulevard (on Spokane’s north side). And everything but the Smothered Burrito ($7.35) comes in under our $7 requirement for
lunchtime eats. (JS) TRY Thai chicken burrito ($7)
Writers
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