Dave Smith wrote:
> jmcquown wrote:
>
>> Since I'm in class most of this week and I really don't want to eat
>> fast
>> food on my lunch breaks, I've been looking at some of the menus for
>> the full service restaurants in the area. Okay, I really don't want
>> to spend $10 for lunch. I know that sounds like very little to some
>> people but to me it's just a bit silly for something like this:
>
> Hey, it adds up in a week. I didn't like spending that much for lunch
> when I was working and I was on an expense account most of the time.

I'm on my own dollar; can't even claim a per-diem to anyone but myself

> Luckily, there were several decent places around where we could get a
> good lunch for around $6. One place had a lunch special for $4.75
> than included soup or salad. The soups were always great. The salads
> were nice sized bowls with lettuce, onion, thick slices of cucumber,
> chunks of tomato, chick peas and croutons. The main dish was usually
> a choice of a nice fresh roll piled high with cold cuts and a side of
> fries, or chicken pies, which came with a bowl of peaches.
>
There is a place right around the corner, Mr. B's. But if you don't get
there for lunch by 11:15, you can forget it. There's a line waiting out the
door. If you like pork chops, they serve this bone-in chop that is 3 inches
thick and you can cut it with a fork. It's *that* tender. Mashed potatoes
and gravy; spinach or squash casserole or maybe you want some blackeyed peas
or some "soup beans" or just some turnip greens with pot likker. Rolls,
cornbread muffins. About $8. They serve you enough for 3 meals. EVERYONE
asks for a to-go box. They practically bring them even if you don't ask.
But you have to get there early.

>>
>> Bowtie pasta tossed with grilled chicken strips, sundried tomatoes
>> and mushrooms (just plain ol' button mushrooms!) in a garlic cream
>> sauce. I'm pretty sure I can make this at home for *four* people at
>> that price. And since I have to go back to class I can't even have
>> a glass of wine with it! Definitely something for me to try at
>> home, though. I have sundried tomatoes in the pantry.
>
> The glass of wine is the main attraction to a dish like that.

Would be good. And as Chris pointed out, something green to go in the
pasta. Some freshly chopped basil leaves tossed into the mix or maybe fresh
spinach.

I'll go there for lunch tomorrow, what the heck. I have to taste what I'm
going to re-create, right?

Jill