Top 5 Good Eats in Petaluma, CA

Petaluma, the quaint former "chicken capital of the world" has much to offer in terms of local, family owned restaurants that won't break the bank. Here are top five choices from a Petaluman at heart!

1) Luchessi's Deli -(301 S. McDowell Blvd, Petaluma)- There is NO place in the world that can make a better sandwich. I have tried for months without luck to find an equivalent in Los Angeles. Try your sandwich on a freshly baked baguette - the bread is light, crunchy and usually baked in the morning. There are about 50 different choices for sandwich fillings, ranging from Italian subs to corned beef to meatballs to.. you get the point. Luchessi's somehow manages to use perfectly ripe tomato slices on every sandwich, and their produce is never wilted. Your sandwich will be prepared exactly how you specify - if you don't want your bread drowning in mayonnaise, it won't be. Prices range from about $5 to $9 per sandwich, and there are many other salad and side options. The sandwiches are huge, and I confess to greedily eating the whole thing. Get here early for your lunch break - The line often snakes out the door.

2) The three cooks café (841 PETALUMA BLVD N) is exactly the grubby little diner you see in movies that you wish you knew about. Although the décor is somewhat of a faded early 90's throwback, the food is so hearty, you won't even notice. Try the French dip. A soft roll heaping with good quality, tender roast beef will be waiting for you on a plate surrounded by buttery home fried potatoes. This place is also great for breakfast, and the friendly service will keep you happy. The prices are good to average, with an entrée ranging from about $5 to $10.They do maintain some strange hours, so don't be surprised if you show up and it's closed. It's worth coming back for!