Most people’s favorite deli counters, are favorites in spite of cold, impersonal counter service. Sensible diners seem to lower their standards during the lunch rush, to a simple equasion of “Fast Turnaround + No Mistakes = Good Lunch”. After visiting the Lotus a few times, I realized what I’ve missed. Here is a typical downtown lunch spot, with its share of regulars and noon-to-one rushes. But I get smiles here with my food. The counter help looks me in the eye and tells me to enjoy my meal. First names are remembered, and yeah, this Cheers has a few Norms around here as well. I’m reminded that it’s not the 14 fortune cookies thrown in my bag that keep me coming back. It’s not just the plentiful garniches accompanying my bowl of pho, that have me feeling like I paid for one meal and got away with two. Service is fantastic here, and if a meal comes late, they are all too happy to compensate, making certain you leave with a smile. There is a pride and a love in this family-owned restaruant that raises the bar.

On to the food. Fresh. Plentiful. Rich flavors. This is the kind of place you take friends to and all share bites of your orders. “I’ll get the pho if you get the beef salad, and he’ll get the curry mock duck.” The entrees do not disappoint and neither do the portions. Take the chicken pho, for example: One quart-size container of well-steeped broth, swimming with tender chicken and veggies. A verdant grove of bean sprouts, and meadows of fragrant thai basil, jalapeno slices and cilantro are just over a hilltop of tender noodles, all kept fresh in a seperate container. And little cups of hoisin and rooster sauce, to boot. It feels like the first time I ever opened a Happy Meal as a kid. Mom’s chicken noodle soup was never this good.

Definitely worth a visit to the Lotus. It may become that place where everybody knows your name.