What: “Evan’s Special”
Where: The Lunch Spot, 74868 Joni Drive, Palm Desert
How much: $13.75 (shown with soup, $5.95)
Contact: 442-334-7171; www.facebook.com/thelunchspotpd
Why: It’s a fantastic sandwich.
More than seven years ago, I visited a charming little lunch place tucked into an industrial part of Palm Desert dominated by body shops and auto mechanics. It was called The Lunch Box, and I enjoyed my visit.
I didn’t realize until recently, however, that The Lunch Box apparently closed during the devastating times of 2020. That’s the bad news. The good: New owners took over the space and opened another sandwich place, called The Lunch Spot. Since I’d not yet visited The Lunch Spot, I headed there one recent weekday.
They’re clearly doing something right, as the place was packed. (Granted, the space is tiny, but there was a steady stream of both dine-in and to-go customers while I was there.) While in line, I perused the menu—which includes 20 or so sandwich offerings, both hot (including paninis) and cold, as well as a handful of salads and a daily soup—and selected the No. 2, “Evan’s Special,” with roast beef, pickles, tomatoes, spinach, red onion, cheddar and a garlic aioli, on sourdough bread. I also decided to try a cup of that day’s soup, which was chicken tortilla.
I sat at the only open table, and after a short wait, my name was called. The sandwich I retrieved from the counter looked delicious, cut in half and presented to show off the ample ingredients. Upon my first bite, I was instantly happy. I had some concerns that the garlic aioli could overwhelm—other than the pickles and onions, the ingredients were all fairly mild in flavor—but it served as a perfect complement. I was hungry, and the yummy sandwich was quickly devoured. The soup was pretty darned good, too.
If you’re anywhere near the Cook Street and Hovley Lane/Fred Waring Drive area of Palm Desert, and you’re craving a fantastic sandwich, The Lunch Spot is a perfect choice.
