903 Broadway (near Green Springs end), Homewood
870-9168
Old-fashioned hamburgers, plus plate lunches, hot dogs, deli sandwiches. Open for breakfast and lunch.

2701 18th St., Homewood
868-4728
The building looks like a backyard tool shed with an awning and patio furniture, but this lunch-only, walk-up joint offers huge, smoky burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches as well as hot dogs featuring huge kosher beef dogs brought in from Chicago, plus grilled chicken sandwiches and a few other items. A top 5 finalist in the Birmingham News' "Best Burger Around" contest (2000) and the "Top Dog in Town" contest (2001).

2829 18th St. South, Homewood
834-8871
www.mommagoldbergs.com
Lunch and dinner, open till midnight on weekends. This extension of a famous Auburn eatery offers an extensive menu with almost 20 deli sandwiches.

2909 S. 18th St. (Homewood), 879-2196
3152 Cahaba Heights Village Rd. (Vestavia), 967-4173
4435 Galleria Blvd. (Inside Ashley Furniture), Hoover, 987-3232
www.birminghammenus.com/ocarrs
A 1970's Homewood landmark serving traditional and designer sandwiches, gourmet salads (including a fabulous fruit plate), cheesecakes and milkshakes for dessert, is now franchising and has several locations around town. Menus vary somewhat by location, but all have the O'Carr's mantra "eat by color," emphasizing a balanced diet, fresh ingredients and attractive presentation.

2902 18th St. South, Homewood, 871-9995
www.birminghammenus.com/outtakes
Weekday lunch spot -- dine in, take out, personal and corporate catering. Choose from a large selection of hot and cold sandwiches, wraps, and salads (chicken, pasta, caesar, potato, etc.), plus daily specials. A number of vegetarian and low-fat options are available.

2913 18th St. South, Homewood
877-8797
Full-line breakfast menu and extensive lunch items, including sandwiches, salads (including Lebanese salad), hot dogs and burgers. Craig Ferguson, host of "The Late Late Show" on CBS, raved about Salem's Philly cheesesteak sandwich. A close second in The Birmingham News' 2007 championship chili contest.

2812 18th St. South, Homewood
871-0046
Basic hot dogs and hamburgers, with a smattering of other sandwiches, in a tiny spot in downtown Homewood. A top 5 finalist in the Birmingham News' 2001 "Top Dog in Town" contest.

225 Country Club Park (Crestline Village, Mountain Brook), 871-0060
1819 5th Ave N. (Downtown), 252-5200
180 Main Street, #140 (Patton Creek, Hoover), 989-4020
1830 29th Ave S, Suite 115 (SOHO, Homewood, one block down from original location), 870-1100
www.zoeskitchen.com
Greek favorites emphasizing fresh, healthy food. Grilled chicken pita, Greek salad, grilled feta sandwich and other sandwiches, plus salads and a small number of hot plates.