JENNIFER JOHNSON: THEY WANT TO MAKE LUNCH FOR YOU >>>

Towers Caffee owner Debbie Portzer is absolutely delightful. She greets guests with warm smiles and tasty recommendations for lunch, and on a recent visit, she offered freshly made Asian Noodle Chicken Salad samples.

The common theme for the handwritten chalkboard menu items is Fresh, Fresh, Fresh.

A lightly flakey, buttery croissant envelopes moist chicken that’s sliced paper-thin and topped with provolone, crisp bib lettuce, juicy tomato slices and sweet red onion. I love the sweet to tart balanced mango lemonade.

Towers Caffee carries lush sweet breakfast pastries, too, and delicious soups. Magazines, newspapers and even this fine rag rest in baskets next to overstuffed chairs. The entire vibe all but begs one to sink into an armchair and grab some reading time with soothingly cool or comforting hot beverages. Sunshine sprinkles through the windows between endearing signs that read: “We Want To Make Lunch For You.”

How many places feel like that?

The lovely, smoke-free coffee shop/deli café is located across from Bates Technical College and diagonal from Pierce County Courts’ Building. Lunchtime can be a little hectic, but the jovial two-person staff handled the rush well, never losing their friendliness. Seating is scarce though â€" three areas inside and three outside.

[Towers Caffee, 1102 Yakima Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.0112]

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide