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With the familiar laminated menu, vinyl booths, and grease-coated interior, Vandam Diner has been servicing hungry Tribecans during lunch for more than twenty years. Fitting for a neighborhood of lofts, the restaurant’s soaring ceilings and a battery of windows make for an unusually airy atmosphere. Sadly, the food is a cut below the typical greasy spoon. Order a classic cheeseburger and the kitchen fries a hockey puck from the freezer. Wraps and soups are better. (The Ranchero Wrap is a satisfying combination of chicken, avocado, Cheddar cheese, and mild salsa folded into a flour tortilla.) The true highlight is the homemade chicken noodle soup: A hearty mix of rice, shredded chicken, and vegetables, it’s the sort of finely executed basic Vandam's menu needs more of. — Benjamin Kneen

Homemade chicken soup, $2.50