That Weird Lunch Place: Lasalle Cafe Luna

Every day, on the way to your regular lunch spot, it's there. Taunting you, mysterious. And maybe you think, "Tomorrow. I'll eat there tomorrow." But it never happens. That weird lunch place by the office will forever fall to other, more familiar options. That's where this appropriately titled column comes in: The A.V. Club, unable to resist the allure of neglected restaurants any longer, sets out to expand its lunch horizons.

Lasalle Cafe Luna (not to be confused with Bella Luna Cafe, also nearby.)

Allure: The usual haunts around our office are the Galleria Market at Superior and Orleans (affectionately known as "The Gal"), a nearby Whole Foods, and Subway. Even more convenient would be this diner, nestled just around the corner, right in front of a Howard Johnson. It's impossible for a writer not to notice the glaring typo on Luna's most prominent sign—which advertises an all-day special of two pancakes, eggs, bacon (presumably strips), and patties (presumably of the sausage variety), plus coffee, served in what appears to be a trough. After six months of thinking about "duces," it was time to go wild.

Steve HeislerAtmosphere: Despite being unaffiliated with the hotel, Lasalle Cafe Luna blends the accidental inviting feeling of a lobby breakfast spot with the straightforwardness of a traditional diner. The walls are painted a sun-warming peach color, and there are both counter seats and an open area with plenty of windowside booths. A Jesus print hangs above the kitchen entrance and a painting of a large fish adorns the wall of the dining area. The spot's not pushing any sort of overwhelming artistic theme. The booths are mostly filled with loners scarfing down a quick bite while smooth jazz hangs in the air. Don't come here to linger: A sign informs customers that if they're only ordering coffee, they're allowed only two cups before they must move along.

Service: Attentive almost to a fault: My spry waitress was on me almost as soon as I opened the two menus—they divide the food into separate breakfast and lunch selections. When I told her I needed more time, she returned about a minute later. But there was little attitude in her tone; she's used to the routine.

Steve HeislerFood: Choices range from liver, bacon, and onions to the always popular butt steak sandwich, but I knew what I wanted. My "Deuces Wild" (it's spelled correctly on the menu) arrived within five minutes. It was hot, but nothing really tasted like… anything. Even the pancakes needed a healthy dose of salt—and plenty of Tabasco. Still, I walked out deeply satisfied—breakfast for lunch will do that to a person—and surrounded by plenty of smiling staffers.

Is it really that weird? Genial charm and a $6.95 final price tag defused nearly all of my initial apprehension (and the view of the unappealing HoJo parking lot). Just no butt steak for me, thanks.

Got your own weird lunch place by your office you want The A.V. Club to scope out first? Send us an e-mail and we'll get right to eating.