Nibbles: Java Joe’s

I ordered a cup of soup ($3.50) and a sandwich – Pancho and Lefty’s Green Chile Chicken Melt ($8.50). The woman at the counter said they had run out of the advertised soup and were substituting it with cream of spinach. That was OK with me and my business lunch partner, who ordered the same meal as I did.

The warming, creamy soup was thick with spinach, though with somewhat more salt than I would have used. Nonetheless, it was an excellent choice. My lunch partner agreed. I liked the soup so much that I said to myself that I would probably order a bowl the next time I visited.

The sandwich was OK. There was a moderate amount of chicken pieces but not enough green chile to my liking. I asked for, and received, a cup of green chile sauce. I tipped the cup over the sandwich each time I wanted a little more of the medium-hot chile flavor. That made all the difference.

	Java Joe’s LOCATION: 906 Park SW (one block south of Central just west of Downtown), 765-1514 HOURS: 6:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. seven days a week