3439 Colonnade Parkway, just off U.S. 280 near I-459.
969-8998
Susan Swagler's September 2007 review in City Scene called it "the busy-mom jackpot," "a casual and fun, family-friendly restaurant that is both inventive and inexpensive." The surfer-themed burger joint is owned by the husband-and-wife owners of Taziki's. Classic beef burgers and a variety of gourmet burgers: a lamb burger with taziki sauce, an herbed salmon croquette burger with remoulade, a turkey burger with Alecia's peach chutney and blue cheese, a vegetarian "burger" made with a grilled portobello mushroom. Indoor and outdoor dining, lunch and dinner, wine and beer available.

2012 Cahaba Road, Mountain Brook (English Village)
879-2238
www.billysbarandgrill.com
Lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday. Casual pub fare featuring burgers, sandwiches and salads in loud, watering-hole surroundings. Known for handmade burgers and chicken sandwich with white sauce. City Scene's Fletcher Harvey, in a 2005 review, gave high marks to fried mushrooms, queso dip, Greek sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich, cheeseburger. Other items didn't fare as well, such as cold fries and overcooked patty melt.

2737 U.S. Hwy 280 South, Ste 101 (Mountain Brook Plaza)
871-0887
www.chappysdeli.com
Advertising "New York Flavor, Southern Hospitality," Chappy's also has locations in Montomery and Auburn. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, free delivery. Sandwiches both classic and gourmet, burgers, soups, salads, ice cream counter. Scarce parking at times.

2808 University Blvd. (Southside, Lakeview area, one block east of St. Vincent's Hospital)
458-1007
www.chriszs.com
Great place for a cheap lunch -- burgers, hot dogs, salads, hot and cold sandwiches. Behind Golden Rule BBQ.

1413 Montgomery Highway, 979-1515
Serving gourmet sandwiches in Vestavia for 20 years, where it also sells more than 500 wines and the area's largest selection of imported beer. Chicken salad, Reuben, sausage sub, muffaletta, soups, salads, desserts.

3439 Colonnade Pkwy. (Off Hwy. 280 near intersection with I-459)
499 Southgate Drive (Off Hwy. 119 in Pelham)
180 West Main St., Patton Creek, Hoover
987-0790
www.edgarsbakery.com
Sandwiches, soups, salads, coffee, cookies, cheesecakes, danish, pies, artisanal breads. City Scene gave high marks to the fried green tomato BLT, roast beef and Swiss, and the Colonnade club. Not as good were chicken salad plate, spinach dip. The sweets are a little too sweet for our taste, but that's a matter of personal preference.

1154 11th Avenue South (Southside)
252-2300
This hole-in-the-wall near UAB's campus isn't much to look at, but Sam makes a mean sandwich, cold or hot, with homemade french fries, plus a few Middle Eastern specialties like gyros, falafel and hummus.

2304 Tenth Terrace South (Southside)
322-3220
Bar featuring create-your-own sandwiches. Pick your bread, meat, cheese and toppings. By night, it's a popular neighborhood bar with extensive beer selection and eclectic wine list. The courtyard offers outdoor dining and imbibing and has earned the Garage national acclaim for its funky atmosphere.

2805 Cahaba Rd. (Mountain Brook Village)
871-2181
An old-fashioned drugstore sandwich counter (without the drugstore these days), with old-fashioned menu items like egg salad and excellent pimiento cheese sandwiches. Don't miss the fresh-squeezed limeade!

1915 Hoover Court (off Hwy. 31/Montgomery Hwy.)
822-1151
Old-fashioned soda fountain and grill serves up great burgers, shakes, and more.
Click here for Bhamdining.com review