Simon’s Heaven Food Court, 242 East State Street, Trenton (609) 989-0106
(Directions)  Open M-F 7AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-5PM

Chicken Pasta Primavera at a lunch joint? (This turned out to be one of several daily specials.)  A full line of hot or cold whole wheat wraps, like grilled chicken with spinach and swiss cheese, expertly prepared?  Homemade smoothies with fresh fruit and protein powder (your choice of soy or whey)?  Yes, you can also get your fried chicken and french fries, a burger, or buffalo wings if you want them.  But Simon’s aspires to deliver better quality food than most take-out joints, and succeeds admirably.

From the outside, it looks like just another take out dive on State Street.  Go inside, and you’ll realize it’s immaculately clean.  There are three tables where you can sit down, but most of the business goes out the door.  The other day, as I waited for my order, and then while I ate it, a woman was continually scrubbing surfaces that to my eye were still clean.

It’s not hard to figure out that Simon’s is a family business.  On this late June day, with school closed, a teenaged boy worked the cash register, and a 7 or 8 year old girl hung out and cleaned tables while their mom continually cleaned the counters and cooking surfaces.  As it turned out, their father, Simon, and his cousin were working the grills in back.  The kids may not have been thrilled hanging out all day, but it seems to keep prices down and quality up.

Simon and his family in front of the "Specials Board" at Simon's Heaven

Simon’s is open at 7 AM for breakfast.  You can get pancakes, omelets, or breakfast sandwiches, with the option for turkey sausage or bacon.  Despite what it says on the awning, Simon’s closes at 5 PM during the week.  Originally they’d hoped to stay open for dinner, but the business at this downtown location just isn’t there once the office workers leave the area.

Simon’s joins a growing cadre of decent, inexpensive restaurants downtown.  It’s just a few doors down from the Trenton Kebab House, and the next block from Howard’s Place II, all near City Hall on East State Street.

If you find yourself downtown with a yen for a good quality, inexpensive lunch, see what Simon says!

   Send article as PDF to the email address I entered below. Hidden Trenton will not reuse this address: