Shops peddling gourmet salads, smoothies and sandwiches are, generally, nothing new and certainly nothing to get excited about. Unless you live on the city's South Side and happen past Ain't That Sweet Cafe. Set on a fairly empty street in the historical and rapidly gentrifying Bronzeville neighborhood, Ain't That Sweet offers up a tasty mix of budget and calorie-conscious snacks. Sandwiches, wraps and salads feature turkey, chicken and tuna, or pack a veggie punch, and range from $4.95 to $5.25.

Served up in funky environs that includes a cool beamed ceiling and the work of local artists, the portions here are large enough to feed two or a very hungry one. Try the Chicago salad, sprouting mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, egg, turkey ham and mozzarella cheese (you can, as I did, request it without the turkey); you won't be disappointed. There's enough seating to dine-in comfortably. Working to dispel the myth that you have to chow on greasy hot dogs while rooting for the home team, you can catch the game on a large monitor suspended from the ceiling.

Ain't that Sweet also offers protein and fat burning shakes, ice cream in a variety of flavors and fresh fruit smoothies that are just as delicious "virgin" as they are with a bit (or a lot) of naughty whip cream. Soups of the day, coffee, tea and hot chocolate round out the menu.

Centerstage Reviewer: Venita Griffin