Sandwiches

Salerno's Italian Café on Riverside Drive in Burbank specializes in satisfying the lunchtime cravings of the denizens of nearby studios and offices. But its menu extends beyond office hours, offering both breakfast and dinner. The breakfast menu is topped by a terrific breakfast combo burrito. Egg, cheese, hash browns and three meats ? ham, bacon and sausage ? are rolled up in a soft tortilla and served with salsa. Very tasty and so much meat inside that dogs began to howl when I bit into it. (I'm not kidding!

Since 1980, area residents have been really getting to know Ben -- Ben Shiralian of Ben's Delicatessen that is. This family-owned and operated eatery has become a favorite for many a hungry diner. In fact, readers of our sister publication, the Burbank Leader, recently chose Ben's Delicatessen as "Burbank's Best Deli" for 2004. What keeps them coming back for more? Besides the extensive "deli" menu, it's the service that brings hungry eaters back again and again.

Jeff Keating GLENDALE -- Alfonso Morales wanted a sandwich his way -- exactly his way -- but after five years and at least 200 tries at getting it right, Burger King officials finally said enough was enough. A $5,000 small-claims lawsuit filed by Morales against the Burger King restaurant at 523 N. Central Ave. was dismissed in Glendale Municipal Court Jan. 3, with Morales being advised to try someplace new in his search for the perfect, or at least perfect-looking, sandwich.

Local ladies turned out for tea last Friday at the Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA’s annual Autumn Tea. Women enjoyed sipping tea and nibbling on scones, tea sandwiches and sweets while learning about each other. YMCA members and the community were welcome at this anticipated event. After lunch, Pat Lane pulled out her guitar and performed “old time favorites.” A raffle ended the affair with a dash of excitement and fun. The Autumn Tea was made possible by Nancy Turney, the director of senior services at the Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA, and a committee dedicated to making the tea a lovely event.

What's in a deli? Well, cold cuts, of course, and sandwiches, definitely. Salads are a plus for a deli, and some sweets are good, especially if they are strategically placed for impulse buying. But a deli is more than the coolers of sodas and beer, Lotto tickets and chips. A good deli's gotta have a vibe. A great deli's gotta have heart. Glenoaks Deli has a big heart ? just ask the many local schools, churches and other fundraisers who rely on the 6- or 8-foot sandwiches or lavish lavosh trays, at lovingly reasonable prices.

That jubilant scream reverberating through the city last Wednesday morning was my knee-jerk reaction to the boys' return to school. It was impossible to contain my excitement with the smell of freedom (my freedom!) permeating the air. It was cause for celebration -- but where? In the absence of any Wednesday morning champagne brunches, the festivities were delayed until dinnertime. But by the time the well-oiled machine of Ron, Beth and I had picked up two kids from baseball, two kids from soccer and one teenager from home, dining out was as much a time management necessity as a celebration.

Thousands of street-food lovers streamed into the Americana at Brand late Tuesday, with some waiting in line for hours to order Vietnamese baguette sandwiches or red velvet pancakes from trucks. Some sat on curbs or on the walls of the Americana water fountain eating tacos, sandwiches and other truck offerings, while others glanced at the long lines for the nine trucks at the Street Feast event and reconsidered. “There’s no way we’re even going to eat,” said Glendale resident Barbara Simon, who was roaming the shopping center in search of a short line.

Nestled among the dealerships on the Brand Boulevard of Cars is a cute little place called the Rush Hour Café & Grill. It specializes in Middle Eastern cuisine, but it ventures into Greek and Mediterranean territory as well. While there are dozens of other restaurants in Glendale that offer similar cuisine, done better, this place has a couple of advantages — location and price. If you’re shopping for a car or you work in the area, it’s a good place to drop in and get an inexpensive bite.

Rima Shah Jim Tribuzi doesn't even know who's playing in this year's Super Bowl. But that's not going to stop him from feeding more than 1,000 hungry football fans Sunday as they watch the Eagles and Patriots battle it out in Florida. Tribuzi is the owner of Mario's Italian Deli and Market. His store on Broadway serves imported meats and cheeses from around the world, different types of olives, wines and other exotic cuisine. Tribuzi also caters, and Super Bowl Sunday is one of his busiest days.

In the shadow of the Burbank Empire Center lurks an authentic hole-in-the-wall serving up darn good burgers and ice-cold beer. Well worn, a little cramped and a lot like NASCAR, Rocky's III is the kind of well-worn place that for some people — like me — is as comfortable as an old pair of jeans. There were once five Rocky's locations, each numbered accordingly, but this one is the sole survivor. Like a determined boxer, Rocky's III fights on. Rocky's serves lunch to workers at nearby businesses, informed locals and the occasional stray shopper who has wandered over from Lowe's.