I take my lunches very seriously. If I'm going to go out and spend money on my midday meal, I want to be sure that it's going to be awesome. Luckily, the studio where I work is located at Queen and Dufferin in Toronto, right in the midst of Parkdale, West Queen West and Liberty Village, where bargain-hunters with above-average food expectations are in luck.

Here are three recommendations that will do you no wrong:

The Stampede Grill at Queen and Brock offers a kick-ass bison burger for $5, deceptively delicious vegetarian poutine and a super friendly guy behind the counter who fresh-squeezes lemonade and brews iced tea to order. Plus, they have a great little patio and bottles of cold beer for sale (if it's that kind of lunch break).

I always order the same thing at Pho Phuong on Dundas West between Brock and Sheridan -- rare beef noodle pho. It's so good it's ridiculous, not to mention that the smallest bowl is actually massive, costs $6 and I always have leftovers. It's actually a pretty sleek-looking restaurant, meaning it definitely stands out among the sports bars and empty storefronts along that strip of Dundas West.

Despite having the lamest name of any Liberty Village eatery, It'z a Wrap (south of King on Jefferson) is by far my number one favourite place to go for lunch. Their sandwiches and wraps are stuffed with your choice of spread, meat, veggie and cheese -- with options ranging from roasted garlic aioli, proscuitto, caramelized onions and brie -- grilled and served with a side of mixed greens. It's on the high side of the ten-dollar limit, at about $8 for a sandwich and salad, but it is so totally worth it.

Anyone else have any favourite lunch spots in the area?