1st Place: Acoustic Café
2nd Place: Mancino’s
3rd Place: Grand Avenue Café

Quick and easy meals are the butter of the lunch existence – usually sandwiches, soups, pitas, pizzas, etc. When it comes to a quick lunch that is also a taste bud kicker, these three places get it to you swiftly and deliciously. Topping the list is Acoustic Café (505 S. Barstow St), a downtown staple with great art, live music, and very high ceilings, plus delicious soups, warm breads and pitas, various vegetarian options, and hot caffeinated coffee to help eliminate the after-lunch downers. Holding in at number two is Mancino’s (809 W Clairemont Ave and 4056 Commonwealth Ave) pizza and grinders. The best BBQ chicken pizza I have yet to come across in my over eating adventures and the ultimate shredded pork sandwich. A laundry list of grinding is available to meet all tastes…and all are delicious. Wrapping up the list is Grand Avenue Café (199 W Grand Ave.) and their hearty sandwiches. The little nook across the bridge from downtown is always a winner and will never disappoint. It’s like eating lunch in your neighbor’s house with relaxing conversation to ease your mind into the afternoon. – Mark Koenig

Up-and-Comer: Little Caesar’s Pizza, 2905 Mall Dr.