Lou's Cafe

"The tuna melt from Lou’s Cafe deserves its own national holiday. But until we get a day off to honor the creamy, gooey knockout, we’ll settle for shouting about our love for this sandwich until our voice gives out. Like the tuna melt, the sandwiches coming out of this takeout-centric, counter-service joint in the Richmond (and their other locations in Parkside and FiDi) could stop traffic. The keys to their success are the standard deli fillings that exist together in such harmony you might even hear a chorus of angels sing. And when the person behind the counter asks if you want "everything" on your sandwich, nod "yes"—the special house sauce and jalapeño spread is a just-as-holy combination. The fact that a single sandwich costs less than one-and-a-half oat milk lattes is another reason to get here for your next lunch or as a pre-picnic pit stop. Food Rundown photo credit: Carly Hackbarth Tuna Melt Do everything in your power to get your hands on this tuna melt. It’s simply iconic with its generous helping of tuna salad, melted swiss and cheddar, and chunks of avocado. You’ll instinctively crave this daily at 12pm. photo credit: Carly Hackbarth BPAV If you’re working on upping your vegetable intake, alfalfa sprouts, roasted peppers, avocado, cucumber, and pepperoncinis spill out of this stunner. This sandwich also comes with bacon, because, well, balance. photo credit: Carly Hackbarth Roma's Club A gorgeous rendition of a turkey club, this one with bacon, swiss, avocado, and pesto aioli. The Dutch crunch roll it comes on is the right amount of sweet." - Julia Chen