Junior’s is bigger and nicer than I thought it would be with two distinct dining rooms, one for smoking in the back which is separated by the kitchen. Both dining rooms have a lunch counter and are handsomely decorated. They have been open for about a year and a half, and have obviously put a lot of effort into remodeling.

My search for a meal under $5 proved effortless. The soups of the day included cream of asparagus and ham and cabbage for $1.45 a cup — add $.50 more for a bowl. I could have had a mesquite grilled chicken breast sandwich with all the trimmings, fries, and a pickle for $3.75, but instead I chose the #2 breakfast special (breakfast is available all day) — creamed chip beef on toast with homefries for just $3.00. For $.50 more, I was able to substitute a bagel and still come in at under the $5.00 limit.

My meal was great! My lunch companion chose fresh roasted turkey with white and dark meat served open-faced, and a choice of mashed potatoes or fries with gravy for $4.75. She thought the turkey was excellent. I noticed it was nice big chunks of real turkey and not the lunchmeat substitute some places try to use. Both dishes came nicely garnished with fresh fruit and kale.

Some other choices for under $5.00 include a double-decker club served with chips and a pickle for $4.55, grilled steak or chicken salad for $4.95, and deli sandwiches for $3.50.

One other thing that impressed Betty was the unlimited refills on soft drinks. If you’re going to pour me a soda, just keep ’em coming and you’ve got me.

Junior’s Home Style Cooking is easy to find, clean, has a great tasting menu, and — best of all — is cheap!

This time Betty takes it outside. Many people pack their own goodies like Yogi Bear in a pic-i-nic basket, but not me. I look for a good cheap lunch right next to a park. I love to eat lunch, but I don’t like to prepare it. I found a simple solution to my picnic predicament — a little known place I was told about by a big fan, aptly named Deli D’Jour.

You’d never find it if you weren’t looking for it because it looks little like a restaurant. If you keep your eyes peeled while you’re driving down Eisenhower Blvd., located directly across from Serb Park is a portable sign on wheels that will direct you to a little hut that holds this diamond in the rough.

Obviously a woman who knows her way around a lunch counter, Sherry (all her customers refer to her by her name, as does she to her customers), goes to work weekdays from 11am to 4 pm , preparing and packing lunches for those in the know. I was able to get a hearty pork BBQ sandwich platter with a pickle spear and some delicious homemade potato salad for less than $4.00 with tax. My friend, now even higher on my Christmas Card list since she introduced me to Deli D’Jour, ordered one of the daily lunch specials, a club sandwich on a croissant loaded with turkey, ham, bacon, cheese, lettuce, and mayonnaise.

Looking over the menu, which Sherry can fax to you, you’ll notice most every sandwich is under $4.00. She serves subs, platters, baked potatoes, and salads. Some days she serves soups and fresh fruit. You can get your sandwich on a variety of breads, including flavored wraps, bagels, pretzel buns, and croissants.