Tom's Picks : Downtown Spokane - Breakfast and Lunch

In Spokane for a few days?  Make sure you try out a few of my favorite restaurants located downtown.  Hopefully the following list serves as a resource to help you get the most out of your visit to our beautiful city.

Breakfast

Satellite Diner - 425 W Sprague  509.624.3952   The Satellite is Awesome!!!  They serve breakfast until 4a.m. and it is tradition to hit the Satellite after the bars close for some grease.  Don't let this scare you, the food could compete for some of the best breakfast in all of Spokane and the staff is very good at what they do.

Franks Diner - Breakfast in a train car! Franks is so popular that you should expect a wait Saturday and Sunday mornings.  I always get the Eggs Benidict and it is perfect every time.  Although a little on the spendy side don't let the cost and the wait keep you from trying this Spokane landmark.

Dolly's - 1825 N Washington  509.326.0386  I have to admit, I have not ate at Dolly's since the remodel.  It is always my go to for biscuits and gravy.  Dolly's is known for their exceptional service and the quality of the food.  This is a hidden gem located just a few miles north of the Spokane River.


Lunch

The Globe -  I have been eating lunch at the Globe for years.  Chef Howard Batemen might just be one of the most talented chefs in our city.  The atmosphere of the Globe reminds me of Cheers and the wait staff actually cares about the food they serve and that the guests are happy.  I am reuben connoisseur and still haven't found one better than Howard's.  The Globe also offers a happy hour as well as an excellent dinner menu.  p.s. They serve drinks until 2 a.m.

Madeleine's -  This is a fairly new restaurant but has earned rave reviews.  I have been here once and was quite impressed.  I think this restaurant is best experienced during the hot days of summer when you can sit out on there patio and do some people watching.  Think deli with a lot of eclectic menu items.  Definitely a good place to take a date.

The Elk -  Plain and simple - The Elk is the fricking bomb!!!  Located just west of downtown in Spokane's historic Browne's Addition neighborhood.  Sometimes I dream about the lamb sandwich that The Elk has become famous for.  They also have a full bar with an impressive selection of beers from around the world.  The Elk is one of the most popular places in town.  I do have to say, sometimes the service is questionable, don't be thinking that you can swing in for a quick lunch because it's probably not going to happen.

Rocky Rococo - This is my hangover cure.  Rococo's has one of the best salad bars I have ever seen and is very affordable.  Rococo's is a chain, which I normally don't promote, but they have done such a good job over the years that they deserve to have business sent their way.  Did I mention they have some of the best pizza in town.

Tacos El Sol - 401 W Sprague  Downtown's taco truck, it is also open late for the bar crowd.  Not much to say here, it is what it is.  Not all taco trucks are equal, but this one is above par.  At least once a week you will catch me standing on the sidewalk with guacamole on my face ;)

Domini's - 703 W Sprague  509.747.2324  Domini's is an institution.  I have been eating here for special occasions ever since I was a youngster.  Domini's is hands down the best deli sandwich you will ever eat.  When you walk in to the place it is like stepping back in time.  I have never finished a whole sandwich, they make great late night snacks.  Want to impress a client, this is the place to do it.

Chicken-N-More - 414 1/2 W Sprague  509.838.5071  Every time I eat here I get mad at myself for not doing so more often.  This is genuine soul food from the south.  Ribs, chicken and catfish with the best sauces on the planet.  This is another one of those places to impress a client because the food is so good.  It is one of those restaurants that you go home and tell your family about.

Dick's - 10 E 3rd  509.747.2481   Another Spokane landmark, although those in the know refer to it as Richard's on 3rd.  I'm sure you have heard of the famous hamburger stands in Seattle with the same name, oddly they are not the same company, yet they are pretty much identical.  It would be hard to find a Spokanite who hasn't had a Whammy from Dick's.