It may not have the most original name for a restaurant, but Absolutely Delicious lives up to the billing. With menu items like the Cuban pork sandwich, baked pita chips and hummus and jerk-spiced tilapia, the Westmont eatery offers a nice alternative to the surplus of fast food and hot dog joints in the area.
When first entering Absolutely Delicious, it's hard to tell if you should order at the counter or sit down and wait for a server. It turns out that it's a sit-down restaurant, but it does offer carry-out as well. The place has a tiny dining room with about eight tables and four stools at the brick-covered counter area. But high ceilings and an abundance of plant life make it more cozy than cramped. Absolutely Delicious is also known for its catering services.
Chef John Fleming crafted his menu to represent the melting pot of cultures that make up America. From the Hawaiian chicken salad sandwich to the shrimp diavolo, the lunch ($6-$10) and dinner ($10-$20) menus are full of flavors from all over the map. But perhaps the most enticing items are the fresh soups, salads and appetizers ($5-$11).
The one downside is the location. It's surrounded by vacant storefronts in a struggling strip mall. Most passersby probably don't even notice this spot when they cruise past on busy Cass Avenue. With its fresh and distinctive menu and its small cafe charm, this is the kind of restaurant that could thrive in a location like downtown Westmont.
Centerstage Reviewer: Jim Collins
