What’s Cookin’ Downtown

Much of what’s eaten at What’s Cookin’ Downtown is all-American lunchroom fare — from scratch, and good; but those seeking regional cuisine will find what they’re looking for in zesty house-made pimento cheese, biscuits with sausage gravy, and an extravagant kitchen-sink plate of “Gourmet Grits.”

When in the mood for something light at lunch, I go for a sandwich called The Betty, which is a vegetarian bouquet of avocado, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion, and sour cream on rye. Hot sandwiches include hand-pattied burgers available with everything imaginable (including a choice of pimento cheese, Velveeta, Swiss, cheddar and provolone), a chicken-fried steak dressed with chipotle mayonnaise, and a grilled hot dog served in a Yankee-style split-top bun. From the day’s special roster, meat loaf comes crowned with melted Swiss cheese and cranberry relish on grill-crisped marble rye.

Note: Breakfast is served from 7 to 10:30 Monday through Friday, and from 7:30 to 11 Saturday. Lunch is available Monday through Wednesday from 10:30 to 3pm and Thursday through Saturday from 10:30 to 5pm.