@Funkyart aren't you in the area?

You can wear jeans or shorts to just about every lunch place around here. These are all very close to the college:

Mexican: Xolo Tacos, El Limon

Indian: Ekta, Tiffin

Sandwiches and salads: Turning Point

If you want to go slightly farther afield (10 minutes) and like Chinese food, Sang Kee in Wynnewood is outstanding.

Hi Tina.. no, I am about 2hr west near Harrisburg. I do travel to Phila somewhat regularly but sushipup is asking about Bryn Mawr on the Main Line. My knowledge of the main line towns is pretty dated. I haven't spent any significant time there in that last 20 yr.

In addition to Bookwoman's recommendations above, I believe Mtn, Ded and Jojoco have shared some recommendations recently ...

White Dog Cafe in haverford, right up Lancaster ave., nicer attire but not formal by no means. waitstaff

El Limon , super casual, great food!!! no waitstaff

salads: Sweet Green in suburban square, lots of other eateries in there as well, very casual, no waitstaff

authentic jewish deli - Hymie's Deli in Merion - on Montgomery Ave. very casual - waitstaff

Pastries: Tous le Jours, it just opened, i haven't tried it but its right in same shopping square as White Dog Cafe. - no waitstaff

Coffee: Green Engine Coffe Co. cross the street from Tous le Jours

Honeygrow; Salads and Bowls. no waitstaff. very casual. - Villanova area - no waitstaff

Pietro's Pizzeria: Same strip as Honeygrow. waitstaff, casual - Villanova area - waitstaff

Tous les Jours is not really an eat-in place (they have a small counter), but their pastries are excellent, almost as good as Delice et Chocolat.

I love White Dog, but I wouldn't call it super casual - it's definitely a 'ladies who lunch' place.

I like Bookwomans list and would add Up-Ryes deli in bryn mawr. Also Iron Hill Brewery in Ardmore.

Sorry Funky!! I thought you were closer. But at least it got the thread going! LOL

Tous les Jours while a chain bakery they are very good. While they do serve I think sandwiches they have some very interesting and different pastries. While I have never tried any of the things in the recently added "hot case" here they have a wall display of what I call breakfast goods. Just slightly sweet and just right for breakfast with butter and a little jam and or with cheese. I do not know what their stuff that looks like whipped cream is that often has fresh fruit but like most of their stuff is just slightly sweet.

maifleur, since it's a Korean company, some of their offerings are Asian-inflected. I know they make a red bean paste donut, among other things. I mostly stick with the croissants and pain aux raisin, which are surprisingly good.

For a number of years on bi-annual or more frequent visits to the area (when our kid lived nearby), we'd often eat at the White Dog across the small narrow street from UPenn law school. We always enjoyed it, good food and its setting in an old townhouse.

Yes, that was the original. It was sold around 2010, the name was kept, and there are now four suburban locations. The decor inside is playful and the food is consistently good.

Bookwoman, omg, Delice et Chocolat! The pastries!

They're the real thing. I try not to go too often!

Great ideas! We have an El Limon in Flourtown, and Turning Point up 309. I'm hoping for a college-vibe sort of place. Thanks so much for the ideas, I know we'll be fine.

We tried Xolo but they are not open for lunch on Mondays. Wound up at El Limon, a small chain that we know from other locations. We had a nice tour of Bryn Mawr, Sally got some pictures for her g'daugher (who has not visited here) and a look at the main commercial district and shops.

NICE!! i always get the burrito bowl with tinga and mole sauce.... YUM :)

happy it seemed like a nice visit:)

Glad it worked out well! Her granddaughter will get an excellent education, and of course can also take classes at Haverford and Swarthmore.

We just shared loaded nachos and quesadillas. The G-daughter never visited here, but she was accepted everywhere and wanted to go to Yale but Bryn Mawr offered the best (by a long shot) package. Now, how will a Hawaiian girl make it through the winter?

It'll be warmer than New Haven!

How is the food at the newer White Dog places? I only went to the old original one once. It was great but for me, a real p I t a to get to and find parking.

Sushi, glad you all enjoyed your lunch. Bryn Mawr has such a convenient location, within a short walk to the train. The campus is beautiful, as you probably saw. She made a great choice.

I believe the menu is pretty much the same at all the locations, although I'm most familiar with the one in Haverford. The food is very good, as is the service, although it's certainly not inexpensive. The mushroom soup is especially tasty.

On the plus side for the PA weather, you don't feel bad about staying inside to study at college . . .

Yeah, no sneaking off to the beach for a little surfing in the afternoon. I'm sure she'll find other diversions!