Considering the swank and cozy decor of Carmen's Chicago Pizza, you'd never guess that a seven dollar daily lunch buffet is its bread and butter. Gallery-caliber abstract paintings line the walls, orange pendant lamps dangle artfully from high ceilings and open-pyramid shelves displaying the house wine collection adorn the main dining area. A wall of Art Deco posters proudly flanks the service counter, and there's never any trouble nabbing one of the many cozy booths at this North Side parlor. Conveniently located just steps away from the Loyola Red Line, Carmen's is treated like a cafeteria by Loyola students and East Rogers Park residents alike.

From spinach-stuffed to thin-crust cheese, nearly a dozen varieties of piping hot pies make up the bulk of the horse-shoe shaped buffet. Fill in the rest of your plate with pastas, salads and garlic bread, or grab a bowlful of tasty minestrone. The $7 price includes dessert and a soft drink, but those looking for a little lunchtime libation can upgrade to a glass of vino, starting from $2.50. The uninspired beer list consists mostly of domestic dribble, but the house wine list picks up the slack. It's not uncommon to get an earful of freshman philosophy from the next booth over, as the college vibe fairly permeates the air here. Not necessarily a drawback, as the musical ambiance is tailored for a student crowd. The last time I was here, Depeche Mode's "Just Can't Get Enough" appropriately provided the soundtrack for my third trip to the buffet.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: K. Tighe