QUEEN OF SHEBA ETHIOPIAN, 3315 Bardstown Road, 459-6301, www.queenofshebalouisville.com. Expansive Ethiopian lunch buffet ($6.49, Sunday-Friday), featuring the finest of the African country’s hot and cold dishes, is the highlight. (Reviewed 7/26; Rating: N/R)
RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS & SPIRITS, Brownsboro Crossing, 339-8616, www.redrobin.com. The buzz surrounding this corporate restaurant chain is warranted. More than two dozen variations on the burger, plus the gaudy and appetizing Towering Onion Rings. (Reviewed 8/2; Rating: 77)
CHICAGO GYROS SANDWICH AND GRILL, 2317 Brownsboro Road, 895-3270. Little Clifton shop gets gyros right and has a bewildering array of variations on this Greek staple. Deli and standard grill items also served. Rating: (Reviewed 8/2; Rating: N/R)
ORDER’S UP! CAFÉ & DELI, 1981 Nelson Miller Parkway, 245-5991. Lovable and cozy new lunch spot in an East End office park is a spin on the fast casual model, with fresh sandwiches all priced at $5 or less, plus soups, salads and sides. (Reviewed 8/2; Rating: N/R)
SEAFOOD CONNECTION, 3922 Chenoweth Sq., 899-5655. Cozy lunch stop with many a delicious fish dish, including fish tacos and sandwiches, shrimp po’boy and crab cakes, four-star quality, all under $10. (Reviewed 8/9; Rating: 91)
TOAST ON MARKET, 736 E. Market St., 569-4099. Adds a tongue-in-cheek bistro spin to traditional breakfast and lunch diner fare. Located in the old Shel-Mar theater, with plenty of seating. (Reviewed 8/16; Rating: N/R)
BENEDICT’S GARDEN CAFÉ, 1519 Baxter Ave., 479-7777. Tasty new café that specializes in vegan and vegetarian cuisine with an extensive menu that satisfies both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Complete with a juice bar! (Reviewed 8/23; Rating: N/A)
AMICI, 316 W. Ormsby Ave., 637-3167. New Italian eatery aims to break jinx associated with this Old Louisville address. The fairly extensive menu features a mix of red-sauced Italian-American dishes with roots in Southern Italy and a few classic “Northern Italian” dishes such as veal piccata. (Reviewed 8/30; Rating: 82)
WINDY CITY PIZZERIA, 2622 S. Fourth St., 636-3708, www.mywindycitypizzeria.com. Formerly Queenie’s, this pizza joint serves up thin pies and the thick-crust, Chicago-style pies. The menu also features stromboli, spaghetti and other pasta dishes, but the draw is definitely pizza. (Reviewed 8/30; Rating: 88)