Where are you going to eat lunch today? If you need some choices, here are my picks and the reasons why I like them:

1. Italian Kitchen West

My all-time favorite place to eat. Located just past the Parham Broad Intersection...I could live off their food. My birthday dinner as well as my mom's, dad's and close relatives have all been celebrated here. Their bread (I am a bread lover, I can't help it.) is divine, but so is everything on their menu. I literally recommend everything. Their portion sizes are huge, so I always take my left-overs home and nibble on them for the next few days!

But I will personally recommend the Cheese Tortellini Pesto Sauce with Chicken, Cheese or Meat Ravioli with Meat or Marinara Sauce, and the Lasagna.

2. Angelos

Ok, Ok - I see a trend here...but OMG - this place is incredible. No Italian restaurant can compare to real Italian food from Italy, I would know, but Angelos comes pretty close. It's a quiet little place tucked away off Midlothian Turnpike.

I recommend the Turky Hoagie (I know, not Italian, but delish!) or the four cheese calzone. Holy Moly, is it good!

3. Jimmy John's

As a staple during my college years at Auburn University, I enjoyed many a Jimmy John's sandwich. Well, for one, there was a Jimmy John's below my job and two, there was another Jimmy John's downtown where I spent a lot of time. Their bread is to die for and I just like the sarcastic atmosphere created by the decor in the restaurant.

Thinking Jimmy John's was a thing of the deep South, I was sad when I moved home until I discovered one in Short Pump! Moving back to Richmond was getting sweeter by the minute. Then I was driving around yesterday and saw one off Midlothian Turnpike next to Qdoba. I now know where I am going to eat multiple times a week.

I recommend #4. The Turkey Tom. You can even get it as a lettuce wrap if you are watching the calories, but to give up the bread is almost sin-ful!

4. Gibsons

The perfect place if you are seeing a show at the National or just need to grab lunch. I absolutely ADORE this place. Everything on their menu is good, but I love the personal pizza. They have great sandwiches and entrees! LOVE THEM!

5. Cheesecake Factory

Yes, their dessert menu is superb, but they have alot of good food as well. I like the dim lighting and the comfortable atmosphere and their bread is...you guess it, amazing.

For lunch or dinner, I recommend the Meatloaf or Salmon.

Dessert - you HAVE to get the Tuxedo Cheesecake. I don't really like cheesecake, but this one will blow your mind. I even got it as my birthday cake this year.

Honorable Mention:

Red Robin

Pita Pit

Capital Ale House

Firehouse Subs

What are your top five places to eat for lunch? Have you tried any of my places? Which one do you like the most?