Thank goodness Texas passed the legislation to allow home equity loans, because you are going to need one if you expect to get filled up here. Minuscule portions are the trademark at this mexican spot. Food coma from this place? Forget about it. On the other hand, I do associate Cafe Rivera with good food - specifically the Grandma's cookies which are required after eating there. If you are lucky, you may get a view of the purple television which has a spectacular green and white picture. At least it is usually showing ESPN. - DP

A bit pricey for the smallish portions, but good sauce and chips can make up for it. The food is fine, and outdoor dining is available for the 2 to 4 weeks of Texas weather when that is possible. - TB

What could possibly be wrong with a place that offers really good chicken fried steak for $3.95 (including two vegetables, salad, and rolls). And you can get a second steak for only another $1! Also, burgers and chicken sandwiches as big as your head. This is definitely one of the most popular of the lunch crew destinations, and probably the foremost inducer of the Food Coma. On the down side: it's quite a haul out west. But then again, is it really a bad thing if lunch takes a long time? - DP

A fine Lunch destination. Lots of good food, low prices, good service. It is a tradition to weight yourself on their scales before and after the meal. Two or three pound gains are not uncommon! It's quite a ways out, but there's not much traffic, especially when the roads are snowy and icy! One of our favorites. - TB

This place makes a good wild card selection. Good, large hamburgers, and tasty chicken fried chicken. Brau chips are a must. Make sure you get here early since it is a popular lunch time destination. Wait times can be 15-20 minutes if you are not careful. - DP

Good food. Decent prices. Too long a drive/wait for a regular Lunch Group spot. A fine wild card choice. - TB

Mega-sized potatoes are a hallmark of this entry in the Deli category. You can eat on one for 15 minutes and still not see your plate! Definite Food Coma territory. On the other hand, the sandwiches leave something to be desired in terms of quantity. Once I ordered one that seemed like it was served on two croutons! Anyway, if there's room and eating time left, they now have soft serve ice cream. Mmmmmmmm, soft serve. (Sounds of drooling, ala Homer!) Decent intangibles, too. - TB

This deli spans the full range of the food quantity to price ratio. The Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant Farms potatoes are enough for two meals, and are very reasonable priced. On the other end of the spectrum, some sandwiches are presented on bread that is the size of the garlic bread on the salad bar. Good middle ground can be found with the Beefeater. Select wisely, but keep in mind that if you fill out a complaint card, they'll give you a coupon for $1 off your next visit. - DP

The strombolis and calzones, nearly as big as your head, are a fantastic value. Order one with water, and you are out the door for $3.79! Imagine, a food coma for under $4. Kinda' cool inside, temperature wise. We'll see how that works in the summer. On the way from the main plant to 501, so it's almost too close for comfort. A relative newcomer to the rotation, let's hope they can hold their quality and prices. - TB

Better stop by the ATM on your way here, 'cause prices just went up and quantity just went down. The pasta lunch specials, formerly at the high end of prices at $5.95, are now ridiculously priced at $6.95. There is essentially nothing on the menu for less than $6.50! Think you can get away cheap with a salad? Forget it! They start at $7.50!!! Besides high prices and low quantities, service is usually either slow or non-existent. Unfortunately, this string of complete crappiness is spoiled by what is generally very tasty food. But it's just not worth the price. Occasional intangibles. - DP

Real good food, rising prices and seemingly smaller portions as of late. Service is decent. Some would say it's a bit upscale for us. - TB

The very tasty nature of the food at this establishment is soured by the steadily increasing prices. Once considered in the most-favored status of restaurants, this place now should be pulled back to the regularity of the merely mortal establishments. Food quality is still excellent. Bread quality can sometimes be hit or miss. If I ever hear "Happy Birthday" sung in Italian again, it will be too soon. - DP

Buffets always have the potential for high volume per dollar ratios. Peony has been one of the staples in the Lunch Group because it delivers. In addition, the food is good, which gives a high quality to dollar ratio also. Drive time is short, which leaves more eating time, which is nice. So it's got that going for it. Oh, and soft serve ice cream. Mmmmmmmm, soft serve! - TB

This relatively inexpensive Chinese non-buffet restaurant has reasonably good tasting food. While the dining area is never crowded, they somehow manage to stay in business. Good overall value. Great '60s and '70s style beads on the way to the rest room. - DP

There is a reason this place is always crowded for lunch. They have great barbecue for good prices. And cold, inexpensive beer. Not that I am advocating drinking beer during a work lunch. Of course, I am not against drinking beer at lunch, either. On the down side, your clothes generally smell like barbecue for the rest of the day, which can lead to excessive salivation. - DP

A fine place, one of our favorites. Good food, good prices. Always a bit of a wait, but worth it. Outdoor dining available. - TB

A very cost-efficient lunch, as you can have all the soup you can eat for under $4.00 (note: the record is 7 bowls, held by Virn? and Toad?). There are always at least 2 of the 4 soup selections which are good. Some of the best: gumbo, red beans & rice, and Mama Mia Chicken. There's even Tabasco and Cholula hot sauces if it's not spicy enough for you. On the down side: you get hungry again once you visit the rest room. On the plus side: Intangibles. - DP

Another good chinese restaurant. Good food, good value. You can usually get out of here for under $5 (before tip), and not need to stop by Mama's or Wendy's for supplemental nourishment. Probably behind only Szechuan in terms of chinese non-buffet. Occasionally, it seems like the smoking section is vented into the non-smoking section. - DP