In the Sky

Up above street level in downtown Spokane, a whole other world exists. The Skywalk system caters to the needs of downtown office workers who don’t want to bundle up to face the elements. Even as retail declines, quick-service eateries thrive, open for breakfast and lunch on weekdays. Add in the (we hope) soon-to-open Sandwich Gardens, and we could eat for a week without leaving the second floor.

OUR DAILY BREAD DELI
120 N. Wall St., Suite 200 • 747-2525
Everything here is done to go — half or whole sandwiches, or a hoagie bun, filled with deli meats and combos like turkey-cranberry or turkey-bacon. (Prices range from $4 to $7, with double meat extra.) There’s always a hot sandwich special for $4.75. Breakfast sandwiches, soups and sides fill out the menu.

REFLECTIONS
618 W. Riverside Ave., Suite 200 (Bank of Whitman building) • 456-2323 • Fax: 456-3766
Reflections goes a step up with baguette and panini sandwiches, German specialties like bratwurst and schnitzel, entrée-sized salads like the taco and mango chicken, a full espresso bar, and comfortably appointed seating. They even serve wine and beer. Try the Italian hero panini ($6.45). Yum.

CRICKET’S
601 W. Riverside Ave., Suite 210 (Bank of America building) • 456-7346 • Fax 835-3725
The teal and rose color scheme and sleekly modern tables and chairs befit Cricket’s location inside the glass-and-steel financial center, but what’s surprising are the egg rolls, potstickers and chicken teriyaki bento on the menu. You’ll also find sandwiches (BLT, turkey, egg salad, tuna), soups and meal-sized salads.

DAILY GRIND DOWNTOWN
421 W. Riverside Ave. (Paulsen Center) • 448-1281 • Fax 448-2004
Owner Lauren Izenberg and her staff make all their baked goodies — like scones and delicious apple-oat bars — from scratch daily, and they’ll whip up a full array of espresso drinks on demand. But there’s more substantial fare as well: deli and panini sandwiches, wraps, a daily special, salads and soups like chicken chili and crab bisque. Try the Paulsen panino — roast beef, cheddar and horseradish aioli.

LACY’S CAFÉ
422 W. Riverside Ave. (U.S. Bank building) • 744-3160
Tucked in a wee corner, Lacy’s serves breakfast sandwiches, deli sandwiches, salads, soups and a rotating daily special for $6. (Stop by on Wednesdays and try the chili dog.) They’re famous for their egg salad (available daily) and shredded pork barbecue special. And there’s a full espresso menu, too.

METRO CAFÉ
510 W. Riverside Ave. (Sherwood Building) • 747-8250
The Metro offers freshly roasted meats daily, carved to order and served up with a salad and potato for an astounding $6.44. Or build your own sandwich from the meat, plus cheese and add-ons, for $4.83. There are classic combo sandwiches and a hot entrée special daily (Tuesday is roast turkey with all the trimmings), plus salads and two or three soups every day.
— ANN M. COLFORD