Fred and Gari's

If you're walking to the Skyline on 7th and Vine, you'll walk directly past the real taste of Cincinnati -- and no, it's not chili.

Fred and Gari's, located at 629 Vine, is a carryout-only lunch spot that offers a creative take on the soup, salad, sandwich lunch. Nestled between a parking garage a juice shop, Fred and Gari's is easy to overlook, but a quick taste of their zesty (and I mean zesty!) crab salad or their tomato bisque will have you back for more.

For less than $10, you can get a 1/2 sandwich a small soup, which is more than enough food for a midday meal -- especially when you opt for the jalepeno cornbread instead of crackers with your soup. And while I haven't been able to bring myself to abandon the crab salad on wheat and tomato bisque, my lunch buddies have been more adventurous. From what I can tell, each menu option goes beyond what you would expect from a traditional carryout meal, and includes distinct and vivid flavors, spices and colors. It's also clear that most of what's on the menu is made in-house. The breads are thick, soft and nutty, and even better, the meat is quality and isn't filled with water.

Did I mention the cookies? Because they're to-die-for. Big, crumbly cookies in whatever flavor Fred (or is it Gari?) decides to whip up. It's impossible to go wrong with the chocolate chip. The little shop also is known for their pies, which I have not tried, but can imagine impulse buying after a stressful client meeting.

While there is no seating inside Fred and Gari's, the shop is just a few short blocks from Fountain Square. It's worth the trip to chit chat with the proprietors, pick up a fabulous meal, then enjoy the square now that the weather has broken a bit. It's possible you'll bump into me there, since I've definitely found my new favorite lunch spot.