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With its sunny yellow awning and summer sidewalk tables, Second Helpings would seem to invite lazy conversation, yet most customers head for the long glass cases inside, point and pick, then head on home. Part take out joint, part juice bar, part organic catering company, this cramped, multipurpose café has little concern with attracting a sit-down clientele. Instead, it's built its business on serving folks whose time at the stove is short and whose yen for delivered Thai food has faded. Peanut stew. Seared tuna. Moist chicken burritos. Second Helpings acts like your second kitchen, or at least your off-site, well-stocked second pantry. Daily specials, prepared with all-natural or certified organic ingredients, are actually full meals of appetizers, main courses, a sweet and a side. A wide range of entrées, openers, sides, and vegan, wheat-free sweets gives hungry shoppers the chance to craft an entire menu...even over the phone. — Helen Zelon

Homemade soups change daily but the silky and mysteriously dairy-free house butternut squash with roasted corn is always available.