Lunch for $5

NEW SAGAYA'S MIDTOWN MARKET

If you've got $5 for lunch, the place is New Sagaya's Midtown Market at 3700 Old Seward Highway. The building holds a grocery store that is connected to the L'Aroma Bakery and Deli along with a Kaladi Brothers Cafe. The bakery/deli section features a well-displayed, complex variety of gourmet desserts ($3-plus) and salads ($3-$6) while tempting the nose with fresh breads and pizzas ($7-$10) roasting over the stone oven.

The sandwich selection ($5-$7) was expansive and the four choices of steaming soups and buns ($4-$5) smelled delicious. At the south end of the deli, the hot-plate food items attracted our attention. Chinese food, fish, pastas and calzones clamored for the taking under hot lights. We decided to sample a variety of lunch items while staying on our budget of about $5 a person. We chose one of the calzones to split ($9.95). It was tender and packed with tons of cheese and pepperoni inside a basil/garlic crust. It disappeared instantly, and we all agreed that it was the best we had ever eaten.

Next up was the 12-piece tuna sushi roll ($5.50), which was dry and disappointing. The next dish we shared was the rotelli pasta ($6 pound). The noodles were tender and covered with the right amount of vinaigrette, liberally tossed with fresh vegetables and herbs -- light but satisfying.

We finished with the lemon cream cake. It looked better than it tasted. The cake portion was very dry, and the consensus was that it was quite bland. To be fair, there were many other desserts to choose from that looked absolutely delicious.

The general ambience was relaxed with '70s and '80s music playing softly from the 103.1 FM station overhead. The dining area was a mix of quick bustling lunch patrons and coffee-sipping, book-reading customers in the corners. The tables and trash could have been tended to better, as there was a stickiness to the tables that was unappetizing, and the trash was overflowing. But it was just past the lunch crush, and we left feeling satisfied and excited to come back to explore other options our $5 budget would reveal.

FRESH HARVEST CAFE

The Fresh Harvest Cafe is tucked into the corner of the Natural Pantry at 3801 Old Seward Highway. Along with a huge deli selection boasting any type of sandwich you could possibly think of ($5.75, or $3 for a half sandwich), it also displayed an impressive array of drinks, smoothies, small snacks, fruit and healthy specialty beverages.

The food menu and hot food items were colorfully arranged, and there were many side dish salads, two fresh soups with rolls, two types of freshly baked quiche and roasted vegetables and chicken. The salad bar was abundant and full of fresh options. Free condiments were plentiful as well as fresh ice water.

We tried the ham and cheddar quiche with roll ($5), which was light and fluffy with a flaky, buttery crust. Next we sampled the Italian pasta salad ($6.49 pound) -- shell noodles tossed with a light creamy sauce and fresh chopped veggies. It was gobbled up by everyone.

In contrast, the sweet potato soup ($2.75/small) was cold and overly thick. One taster in our group said it had the texture of baby food, but the whole-wheat bun that came with it was delicious and just about made up for it. On another occasion, I have sampled the navy bean soup and found it to be quite delicious. The eating area was quiet, clean and calm, surrounded by plants with easy-listening jazz piped into the overhead speakers. The cafe offered many healthy and quick choices for a snack or meal any time of day.

TACO KING

There is a reason "king" is in this restaurant's name. Hidden in the corner of a small strip mall on Huffman Road across from Carrs you will find Taco King. There is a distinctive feel of strong Mexican culture as you step in the door. The happy Mexican music, simple art displays and the friendly, Spanish-speaking staff all contribute to the "you're in Mexico now" feeling.

The service was fast with an eager staff stepping up to help. The free salsa bar was stocked with a variety of sauces, sour cream, pico de gallo and all the jalapenos you want. The fountain refills are free, and the food is individually made fresh at each restaurant each day. The refried beans are made with Mazola oil instead of lard (which is much healthier for you).

Prices range from $2.50 to $7. I had the beef deluxe burrito with beans and rice ($6.75). There was so much food I had to take a "to go" box for later. My eating companion ordered two cheese enchiladas with beans and rice ($5.75), also tasty, filling and a great value. I noticed the staff was cleaning whenever they weren't cooking. The kitchen and bathroom were sparkling, and the counters and floor were kept up.

Taco King also has restaurants on the corner of Northern Lights Boulevard and A Street and on East Tudor Road. Whether you are dropping in for a meal or picking up a takeout for the road, you won't be disappointed in the tasty, healthy choices and value at this little restaurant.

Zoe Hickel is a freshman at Frontier Charter School.