Brave New Deli great for lunch

I love to cook, but sometimes I just cannot find the time. At times like these, I find myself looking for a place that can whip up something tasty in no time flat.\nWith all the excitement of classes starting anew, I did not have time to throw together my classical brown bag lunch. Seeing as how I am the typical growing boy who eats everything in sight, I wanted a nice hot lunch. The question remained: where do I eat?\nI found my answer in Brave New Deli. Just west down Third Street across from the School of Law, Brave New Deli is the ideal place for lunch. The cheery eating atmosphere originally drew me inside. Red- and white-checkered tables fill the well-lit restaurant, allowing for a nice place to sit and eat. In the corner, a television plays the latest in sports, allowing for a distraction from your hectic life. The counter displays various loafs of bread, while behind the counter the menu displays the various food offerings written out on a blackboard.\nThough you order at the counter, you are still served the meal at your table. This was a nice touch. When I am paying for a meal, I usually like the luxury of sitting down. \nFor lunch, I highly recommend the half-a-sandwich-and-soup deal. For a low price, Brave New Deli offers up an array of homemade soups and sandwiches that are made to order. \nBeing unsure of the portion sizes, I made the mistake of not ordering this great deal, and ordered a Cajun chicken grinder and a bowl of vegetarian chili. My companion opted for half a California High sandwich and a bowl of chicken lemon rice soup.\nThe soups were out of this world. The vegetarian chili was hearty. Filled with large pieces of carrots and tomatoes, every spoonful brought a smile to my face. Though not overly spicy, I would highly recommend this soup. While the chili was good, the chicken lemon rice soup was wonderful. The chicken, though not in a high quantity, was boiled nicely. The broth, chicken based with a hint of lemon, was not too salty and made for a very good base. The rice in the soup added to the flavor and made it more filling, making this soup a meal unto itself. On a chilly or wet day, this soup would be the perfect thing to chase away the cold.\nThe sandwiches themselves were somewhat small but filled with great ingredients. The California High, a mix of bean sprouts, avocado and cheese, is perfect for summer. Not too heavy, the different vegetables melded well together. The avocado, the center point of the sandwich, was fresh and creamy, making it all the more enjoyable. The cheese was smooth and complemented the consistency of the avocado nicely. The bread was a simple rye bread, allowing the vegetables and cheese to stand alone.\nThe Cajun chicken grinder was quite tasty. The high point of this sandwich was the chicken in the Cajun spices. The amount of chicken was quite generous and cooked well. The Cajun spices, tasting mostly of chili peppers, added a spicy kick. The melted cheese added to the sandwich by cooling down the fiery spices of the chicken. I would highly recommend this sandwich, but I do warn that it packs some heat.\nOverall, I would say the Brave New Deli is one of the best places for lunch in Bloomington. Priced affordably -- most options are under $5 -- the wide array of soups and sandwiches offers enough choices for even the pickiest eaters. The vegetable sandwiches are the perfect things for a hot summer afternoon. Although the dessert options are limited, with food like this, you don't need one.