Simmer Down Café sits on Laurel Street across from the new soup joint, Holy Chow, and down the block from the upscale Sweetwater. Brian sees their Simmer Down somewhere in between. He says they emphasize good ingredients (like prosciutto and fontina) and good value. (The most expensive dinner is $8.)
Brian remembers being happy in college “if I could get a nice big meal and be able to wrap up half of it and nuke it later in my dorm room,” so the portions are big. Plus, just to make things easier, every price comes out evenly to the quarter: $6.50, $4, etc.
The lunch menu boasts lots of toasted subs. At night, the Stuff on a Stick and build-your-own french-bread pizza are popular. Also out of the ordinary are the potato sautés like the Cajun Piggy Taters (grilled pork loin medallions over potatoes pan-fried with peppers, onions, celery, garlic, cayenne, parsley and andouille sausage). With Dos Equis and Purple Haze on tap and 21 beers available in bottles you won’t go thirsty either. — Carrie Nieman
As their sign reads, Simmer Down is “wide open” Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-12 a.m., Friday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. and Saturday 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
