The Veggielante is on a mission to spread the word about places to order good, meatless grub. Check out this week's pick.
Destination: Adriana's On The Hill (5101 Shaw Avenue; 314-773-3833)
Neighborhood: The Hill
Cuisine: Italian deli
See also: Local Harvest Cafe Offers Downtown a Sumptuous Vegetarian Feast
Overview: Adriana's On The Hill has been a sandwich institution for the past nineteen years, family-owned and run by Adriana Fazio and her daughters, Suzanne, Dianna and Tia. For a long time, the deli largely catered to the neighborhood's meat-eaters -- the menu features plenty of salami, roast beef and pepperoni -- but now the owners realize that while a lot of their customers aren't vegetarian, they do want to make healthier choices. It's a phenomenon that Fazio calls "heart smart." Now the deli's menu is chock-full of vegetarian options for both herbivores and carnivores alike.
Highlights: Adriana's homemade spinach pie is to die for: a blend of cheeses, spinach, onions and tomatoes baked to golden perfection and garnished with tomato sauce. The pies are baked fresh daily. Buy a slice with a side for $9.50 -- our recommendation? Adriana's house salad or penne pasta.
Yes, that is the biggest sub you have ever seen, and yes, it is loaded with all the veggies and cheeses. Adriana's "Sunny's Veggie" features hot garlic bread topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, lettuce, tomato, onion, green pepper, artichoke hearts and pesto dressing. This sandwich is definitely an explosion of tastes, and best suited for those who are prepared to get a little messy with their lunch. Get the whole sandwich for $8.50, or a half with your choice of side for $9.50.
Another popular dish is the Sicilian slice, Adriana's Sicilian-style pizza: a blend of cheeses, tomatoes and spinach baked onto thickly sliced dough. This item goes for $9.50, with a side dish of your choice.
See also: Winslow's Home Solves the Vegetarian's Quest for a Satisfying Burger
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