TAKE OUTThe Place: Marsha's Backstreet Cafe, 5032 Brainerd Road.The item: Tuna salad on rye.The cost: $5.74, tax included.
Driving down Brainerd Road earlier this week in search of lunch, I came upon Marsha's Backstreet Cafe. It's just off Brainerd Road next to a liquor store. Even though there is a big sign, some folks might not even know it's there.
The two businesses share a building and the parking lot, and the regulars know that double parking is allowed if you know which cars to park behind.
Marsha's has a steady crowd of regulars. Every time I've been to Marsha's, the place feels like I've dropped into someone's home during a family gathering.
I wanted something light, and the tuna salad seemed like a good idea. It helped that the menu noted that the tuna and chicken salads can be purchased in 1- and 2-pound orders. You've got to figure if people are buying it 2 pounds at a time, it must be pretty good.
I have had the fried chicken at Marsha's, and it is good. The daily specials also are popular.
Tuna salad, to me, should be simple. A little mayonnaise and maybe some seasoning, and it's done. This was excellent. It was served with lettuce and tomato on soft rye bread, and it came with a pickle and regular potato chips. Perfect.
It was pretty much what I'd fix at home.