8th Street Grill

03/15/04

A crowd-pleasing menu and lively bar draw downtown folks for meals and drinks.

by Contributor

The Scene
The line at lunch stretches out the door, and in summer, happy-hour celebrants migrate outside, where many of the tables are shaded by a parking ramp. The cheeriest seating is in the bar, with its French doors and black-and-white floors.

The Food
The main attractions are the 1/2 pound burgers on sourdough buns in several versions: traditional California, Louisiana-style with Cajun spices, bistro-style with Boursin cheese and Canadian bacon. There are also hot and cold sandwiches with a variety of breads and cheeses available. Whether you want a salad, pasta, pizza, quesadilla or steak, you'll be satisfied. The Oriental chicken with wild rice, mandarin oranges and water chestnuts is especially tasty. Desserts are quite good, from cheesecakes and mousses, as well as a daily special.