Paninis made with thick slices of Old Mill bread can be found at Cafe @ Heifer.

We love fast-casual restaurants for their quick service, fun food, reasonable prices and no-fuss atttitude. Here are some of our favorites:

Cafe @ Heifer, 1 World Ave. (the east end of Third Street, just past the Clinton Presidential Center), (501) 907-8801, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday

  • Menu: Soups, sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, salads, kids' menu
  • Price range: $2.19 and up

What to expect: An airy, inviting space filled with natural light, lunch offerings that are prepared when you order them, a menu that uses products from Arkansas suppliers including Armistead Mountain Farm, Arkansas Natural Produce, Boulevard Bread and Petit Jean Farm, and plenty of options for vegetarians, snackers (fresh baked scones, muffins, brownies and cookies), and those 12 and under. We love the Blackberry Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwich topped with Heifer-made blackberry barbecue sauce and the Caprese Panini made with Arkansas tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil pesto (each $5.39).  There are also flatbread pizzas, salads and soups including Southern Sweet Potato ($2.19)

Downtown Deli, 323 Center St., Little Rock, (501) 372-3655, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday

  • Menu: Sandwiches, soups, salads, stuffed baked potatoes
  • Price range: $3.49 and up

What to expect: Come here with your friends for a quick, casual meal that allows for lots of time for catching up. Order at the counter then take a seat; your food will be brought to you within minutes. Can't wait that long? Choose the salad bar (one trip $4.49; all you can eat $5.99) and load up on fresh spinach, lettuce mix, broccoli, cauliflower, grape tomatoes, olives, cheeses, prepared pasta salad, a bunch of thick 'n' rich dressings, and plenty of crackers and toasted French bread.

Taziki's Greek Fare, 8200 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, (501) 227-8291, from 11 a.m. daily

  • Menu: An Americanized version of Greek
  • Price range: $6 and up

What to expect: Order at a counter, get a number, fetch your silverware and beverage, then find a seat; your food is delivered to your table (no tipping unless you really want to). Sandwiches (try the grilled lamb gyro) with side dishes (we like the roasted new potatoes and the tomato-cucumber salad), salads, feasts (grilled tilapia, char-grilled lamb, herb-roasted pork loin and other plates served with Greek salad or basmati rice) and daily specials (check the chalkboard) are available.