Feeling Wheeling

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The shop became part of my daily routine and I just couldn't show up to work without my Chai or Vanilla Latte (with honey and no whipped cream). I think I went through several "frequent flyer" punch cards and still, years later, am finding them in various pockets and books.

Wheeling Coffee Shoppe really stands out for me because it's in such a small town that once you show up twice you're pretty much a regular. (If you live in Wheeling, undoubtedly you will know another customer, or know someone who knows the guy behind the counter, or recognize a local celebrity sitting at a table.) The service is very very friendly. I know some coffee shops like this can get... well, a bit snooty, but I just don't see that happening here. It's still a small and friendly town.

The seating area is small, but any time the weather is nice there are tables and chairs out on the patio in front. Every month or so a new local artist's work will be displayed on the walls inside (and some are for sale of course) and along with various coffee cups and machines and extras for sale are mugs made by a local potter.

On the shelf below the coffee grinders and steamer pots is a stack of newspapers, books (such as Calvin and Hobbes or The Far Side), checker sets, decks of cards, chess, and magazines.

This is the ideal place to hang out after school or work or on a lazy Saturday morning to sip your delicious coffee and play checkers or write, or just watch the people come and go.

While you're in the shop, don't be afraid to talk to strangers.

The inside is very simple -- a counter (filled with different kinds of baklava), a shelf full of olives and other Mediterranean cooking needs (several types of olives, grape leaves, filo dough, artichoke hearts), and then a small dining area that looks like a break room in an office.

But the food! Of course it's delicious. Without question, Lebanon Bakery serves the best spanikopita I have ever eaten. Thick, full of feta and spinach, perfectly cooked dough. You can also get stuffed grape leaves, kibby with hummus, Greek salad, tabouli, gyros and Lebanese bread.

And since this is a bakery after all -- just about any kind of dessert you might want. Baklava especially -- chocolate, walnut, almond, pistachio, pecan -- and sweet breads, nut rolls, turnovers and apple dumplings. (Yes, these are available for takeout!)

The Lebanon Bakery is family owned and the prices are incredible. For example, here's my usual lunch menu of spanikopita, Lebanese rice and pita is $5.30, a small Greek salad is $1.95, the soup of the day is $1.50, and drinks (milk, cans of pop, tea, water, juice) are 80 cents to $1.10.

Single desserts range in price from 65 cents to $1.25. (An apple dumpling is $2.95.)

The service is always very friendly.

On my last trip to Wheeling, I saw Nogales and figured I'd better eat there while I could. The place wouldn't be there for long, I figured. And once I got inside -- well, it's very casual and inexpensive looking -- the spartan appearance only made me think it'd be easier to pack up. And then the food! Everything Mexican you could want, including very good (though a bit saucy) chile rellenos, a kid's plate with burritos or enchiladas, a whole page of combo platters, a full range of appetizers and desserts. Including flan. (None of the previous Wheeling Mexican places had flan!)

We'd arrived early, so we could eat before the hockey game, and the place was empty. I started out sad, figuring that this place would meet the same fate as the other three. But as time went by the place got packed until there wasn't an empty seat anywhere. I was almost giddy thinking that this place might become a regular hangout for locals and tourists.

The staff is incredibly attentive and helpful, the prices are incredibly low (three of us ate full meals and drinks for under $35) and the place is located downtown, so anything else you might want to see (Civic Center, Artisan Center, Towngate Theatre, Capitol Music Hall) is practically within walking distance. And even if you have to drive again.. parking is easy to find and usually free.

I plan on eating here every time I visit Wheeling. I really don't want this place to go out of business. Next time you're in Wheeling (to see the display of lights or the symphony or a hockey game) please go and have a burrito and some flan!