Comments (0) Best New Neighborhood Lunch Spot - 2005

Highlands Café

The owners of Highlands Café were fed up with the dearth of non-chain restaurants in Lake Highlands, so they decided to start their own. Almost instantly, the place became the local lunch hangout. Nothing fancy; the walls are decorated with kids' art. The burgers, sandwiches, salads and homemade soups are fresh and inventive; kid-sized meals come with fries or raw baby carrots. The nachos are worth a special trip. Yeah, you can get plain cheese nachos, but try one of their specialties: a plate of tortilla chips piled mile-high with beef, chicken or pork topped with sautéed mushrooms and red onion or artichoke hearts, green olives, feta cheese and diced tomatoes. Each overloaded plate is served with homemade salsa and pico de gallo, or order extras such as jalapeños, sour cream and guacamole. Highlands Café is also open for dinner, serving grilled steak, chicken and fish. It's an excellent start for a neighborhood starved for something besides fast food.