Joy Godfrey
Salad with salmon, quinoa, beets, cabbage, carrots and eggplant; falafel; rice plate with steak, feta, eggplant, onions and pickles
Newly reopened downtown staple The Beestro underwent a complete makeover following a six-month hiatus. The former sandwich joint now offers a menu rooted in Middle Eastern cuisine, featuring a selection of shawarma, falafel and giant mountains of salads. The menu swaps out proteins interchangeably against the backdrop of either a pita ($6), salad or rice plate (each $9). Vegetable toppings include carrots, pickled turnips, radishes, cucumbers, tomatoes, grilled eggplant, quinoa tabbouleh, beets, cabbage and red onions. For an additional $1 to $3, lunch can come topped with falafel, chicken or steak shawarma, lamb gyro or salmon skewers. Chef/owner Greg Menke is adamant in his commitment to sourcing from local and organic producers, and avoiding artificial colors and flavors, high fructose corn syrup and MSG. His new space is colorful and bustling, situated downtown in the Plaza Galeria, with a balcony that's a convenient perch overlooking Water Street. The restaurant provides a healthy, plant-based alternative to the sea of burgers and burritos that make up the other downtown lunch options. Order in person or online.
Lunch
Monday-Saturday
.$.
Plaza Galeria,
66 E San Francisco St., Ste. 21
505-990-8058
Instagram: @thebeestro
