Six Spots for Outdoor Lunches

With the hottest summer on record now behind us, it's time to enjoy the outdoors before we dust off our jackets. Unlike some of our neighbors (think Westfield and Millburn), Springfield doesn't have the widest or most beautiful selection of outdoor options, but we do have some. The following are six outdoor lunch spots in ascending order (i.e., starting with "ehhh" and working our way to my favorite spot):

No. 6, Panera Bread. Sitting under an umbrella looking out on the Sports Authority parking lot isn't too appealing. And nor is the food here. But Health magazine recently named this Missouri-based chain America's healthiest fast-food restaurant. Some like the comfort of chain food. I'm not a fan. Many of the healthy options have that mass-produced cookie-cutter taste. But this is a convenient location, and come February, we'll all be longing for the days when we can eat outside, even if it is in a Route 22 parking lot.

No. 5, Checkers Drive-In. Again, the median of Route 22 may be one of the least attractive dining spots, but we take what we can get. With five outdoor tables (and only one awkward indoor table), Checkers caters primarily to drive-through customers. The Big Buford is the signature burger here. Also a winner is the quarter-pound bacon burger, a quarter-pound patty with three strips of bacon, a slice of tomato, red onion, pickle, mustard and special sauce on a sesame bun. Checkers is also known for its colorful seasoned fries—though I still prefer McDonald's fries.

No. 4, Chipotle Mexican Grill. On my last visit a few weeks ago, 28 people were in line ahead of me—none of whom ate outside because of the summer heat. Among fast food establishments, Chipotle has a reputation for serving responsibly raised meat and produce, though the calorie content is high. All dishes at Chipotle are made assembly-line-like fashion: You choose whether you want black or pinto beans, sour cream, cheese, lettuce, guacamole, etc. Try the carnitas burrito ($6.65) – naturally raised pork seasoned with thyme, bay leaves, juniper berries and freshly cracked black pepper, then seared, braised and shredded. Resist the temptation to add too many fillers or your burrito will fall apart.

No. 3, Bagels Supreme. Serving some of the best bagels in the county since 1983, Bagels Supreme is a most satisfying lunch option. Order the whitefish salad on a warm sesame bagel and enjoy it outside on tables facing Mountain Avenue. The veggie spread is also a favorite bagel filling. Curious to know how bagels are made here? Check out this video that takes you behind the counter and into the kitchen of Bagel Supreme to see how these doughy rings are made.

No. 2, Cioffis Deli and Pizza. Family owned and operated for three generations, Cioffis serves salads, sandwiches, pizzas and a wide range of prepared entrees. The antipasto salad here is a winner. It starts with a bed of fresh romaine lettuce and is topped with sliced tomatoes and bell peppers, large black olives, pepperoncini, marinated cauliflower and carrots, roasted red peppers and six spirals of ham, cappicola, salami and cheese. One of the more interesting menu items is the honey angel salad: romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, and angel hair pasta topped with a balsamic honey mustard dressing

No.1, Meisel Field. OK my favorite outdoor spot isn't some restaurant with a quaint courtyard, but a county park. Soon the leaves here will be turning color and this peaceful green section of the township will turn red, orange and yellow. Grab a turkey sandwich from Evergreen Deli, a Cuban sandwich from Latin Quarter or a smoked ham sandwich from Food King, and bring it to the benches here. Even more convenient, try the chili dogs from the food truck that's parked here most days of the week. Afterward, walk off your lunch with a lap around the park. You'll feel refreshed, ready to take on the afternoon workday.