Salad Spinners serves lunchtime-in-the-Loop fare with a socially progressive spoon. Rich Levy, self-proclaimed "head tomato" of the joint, has his mission written on the wall (well, menu but you get the drift.) "Salad Spinners is dedicated to American farmers. (Our restaurant) was created to bring their produce to the market and educate Americans about American farms." Lovely, but how does this affect your lunchtime? It's all in Levy's guarantee: "rich folk's food at down-home prices."

Salads, soups and sandwiches spin out of the kitchen. For less than $8 you can order up a farm-fresh spread of salad (go for the Mexicali with cilantro, corn, black beans and honey lime vinaigrette), a heapin' bowl of homemade soup (think butternut squash) and chips and soda. Sandwich options include wasabi tuna, peppercorn bleu roast beef, and the salami, pepperoni and provolone-stuffed Soprano; it's enough to make you wonder if the folks lined up at Quizno's know what they're missing.

You can also build your own "dream" salad where you get to pick all the ingredients: lettuce, protein, veggies, cheese and dressing (be warned, there are a lot of choices). During colder months, you can add a cup of soup for the price of the high temperature of the day.

Sunflowers in watering cans, tractor seats slung up on the wall and a sign above the employee entrance reading "Farmhands only" underscore the Spinner's red-barn vibe.