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.

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

1837 Montgomery Highway, Hoover
733-9544
Tucked away in a small shopping center south of the Galleria, Harry's burgers are moist on the inside and crispy on the outside. Also other sandwiches, milkshakes, breakfast and more. Winner of the Birmingham News' "Best Burger Around" contest.

813 Shades Crest Road (Hoover/Bluff Park)
823-6136
www.mrpdeli.com
Breakfast, lunch till late afternoon. It's not much for atmoshpere, with a mishmash of tables tucked between the meat counter and the market area, but there's a wide selection of fresh-made deli sandwiches for eat-in or take-out, plus burgers and hot dogs, beer and wine along with fountan drinks and coffee. Just a few examples: meatball hoagie, homemade Italian sausage sandwich, Reuben, muffaletta, the Tide (roast beef, bacon, cheddar on onion roll with barbecue sauce), the Tiger (cajun turkey, bacon, pepper cheese on onion roll with barbecue sauce), Mighty Mike (1/2 lb. corned beef, honey mustard with double Swiss.)

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.

1580 Montgomery Highway, Suite 11 (Hoover)
978-0318
www.realpagessites.com/organicharvest/index.html
There's a small smoothie, juice and coffee bar tucked in the front of this organic foods store that also serves sandwiches, soup and salad during lunch. In addition to vegetarian offerings such as jack and veggie panini or wrap, "Veggie salvation" wrap and almond butter with honey and pecans, you'll also find options for those who enjoy organic meats, including the organic turkey wrap and an organic roast beef and Jack sandwich. Featuring Big Sky bread.

588 Shades Crest Road, Hoover/Bluff Park
978-8677
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Located in the former Citgo gas station at the intersection of Shades Crest Road and Park Avenue in Bluff Park, across from the former Bert's on the Bluff. Literally on a cliff hanging on the edge of Shades Mountain, the view is the main draw for this breakfast and lunch eatery. Hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, plus breakfast menu. Birmingham Magazine singled it out for its 2004 "Best of Birmingham" issue, saying, "The burgers at The Tip Top Grill in Bluff Park are almost as good as the spectacular panoramas of Shades Valley from the outdoor tables at this tiny restaurant."

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.