Savor Ultra-Fresh Options at Local Links Market Cafe

Style: Café with counter seats, plus small tables and shelves of market items. There are two menus, the breakfast-like “early vibe” and the lunch-like “later vibe,” both served at all hours.

The scoop: Former English teacher Joseph Gentile opened Local Links in 2015 after entering the food biz as a caterer and owner of a hot dog cart. He produces numerous community food events such as a hot dog crawl and a music-and-beer fest.

The menu: Most items are prepared from scratch, including desserts. The two menus are fairly simple, but the cooking is notably good. Black bean soup and a naked burrito (above), served on spinach instead of a tortilla, with choice of protein (I went with sausage) pack plenty of flavor. A variety of local sausages can be ordered in a meal or taken home, butcher style. Most meals cost $8.44, though fresh-fruit smoothies ring up at $7.

Heads up: Nightly specials include Monday Gravy and Fish Taco Fridays. Four- to seven-course Local Table Dinners on Saturday nights require advance reservations.