Joshua Cup experiments with lunch and it works

If you haven't been to Joshua Cup Coffee and Cafe lately, you might be missing out on one of the best new lunch spots in downtown Macon. What once was just a coffee house and bakery has turned into a full-service soup, salad and sandwich (and quesos) place.

Having been on several occasions now, and taking friends along, I have yet to come across anything on the menu that I didn't like, well, except for the Manhattan Clam Chowder and that's just because I'm not big on clams and tomato-flavoring together. It just doesn't taste right.

Some favorites on the menu include all of the salads, particularly the Chicken and Raspberry Vinaigrette, which comes with grilled chicken, pecans and tons of fresh fruit.

Joshua Cup serves some of the freshest salads in town, and every time I eat this salad, I feel like I'm getting my fruit serving for the day.

The salads are made fresh when you order, but come served in to-go containers for easy transportation. To top the meal off, each salad comes with two pieces of toasted cinnamon raisin bread for dessert.

Other must-tries on the salad menu include the Cajun Roast Beef and Sweet Onion, and the Veggie Dozen. What I like about the Veggie Dozen is that you can have extra items thrown on or taken off, and it's not a problem.

The Cheesy Chicken Fajita Soup also is quite yummy. It's labeled as spicy, but it isn't really that spicy, and comes served with cream cheese and tortilla chips.

While on the spicy variety of foods, the TexMex Quesos (or cheesy quesadillas) are a surprising must try. They are crisp without being overcooked, and come loaded with chicken or steak, black beans, olives and spicy tomatoes. (If you could see me, I'd be kissing my fingers to the air right about now.)

All of the sandwiches I've tried have been great, from the Buffalo Chicken (made with deli meat) to the Cuban and Longtime Barbecue (you know I had to try it), but my favorite thing about ordering a sandwich is the side of chips and French Onion dip that come with it.

The French Onion dip is homemade and not overly loaded with onions. It's so good that on one of my visits, one of my companions licked the side bowl of dip clean. Now, I'd say that's a sign of good food.

But for all my going on about how good the food is, I should mention that the cafe can get crowded at lunch, even a little claustrophobic at times, so plan your visit accordingly. This downside probably won't be as much of a problem once the warm weather gets here, though, because outdoor seating is available.

Joshua Cup Coffee and Cafe

1090 Washington Ave. Suite 114

Three stars

Phone: (478) 745-9099

Hours: Lunch items are served from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday; coffee house, bakery hours are 6:30 a.m.-midnight Monday-Friday and 7 a.m.-midnight Saturday

Payment: Cash, credit cards

Reservations: No

Dress: Casual

Children's menu: Yes

Vegetarian selections: Yes

Wheelchair accessible: Yes

Health code: 87

Alcohol: No

Price range: $2.95-$7.50; more for party packs and catering