Fast Break: Pressed sandwiches and deep pasta bowls at Breck’s Bistro

As an LSU alum, I’m particularly familiar with the stretch of Burbank Drive that’s home to Walk-On’s, LIT Pizza, UMAMI Japanese Bistro and the former Co-op Bookstore (R.I.P.). But there’s one Southgate Village eatery I never managed to visit as a student: Breck’s Bistro.

Though the shopping center has seen its fair share of tenant changes over the years, it’s always managed to be both college-budget-friendly and a great place to find a variety of cuisines. And with enticing and reasonably priced burger, sandwich, salad and pasta offerings, specially priced lunch options and a weekend brunch menu, Breck’s Bistro definitely fits that bill.

At about 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, my dining partner and I walked through the glass front doors into a packed dining room of lunchtime eaters. With the recent cold snap, the roomy outdoor patio space had clearly been abandoned for the sunny indoor dining area.

Once we were seated, I ordered the spinach and artichoke pasta, which consisted of a substantial pile of bowtie noodles, spinach, artichokes, olives and garlic tossed in a savory cream sauce and topped with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan and provolone cheeses. Breck’s can also top the dish with grilled or fried chicken, shrimp or crawfish for an additional charge, so I got grilled chicken.

The seemingly bottomless pasta dish was nothing short of cheesy goodness. With such a delicious mix of ingredients, every bite was mysteriously better than the last. My favorite part, though, would have to be the buttery garlic bread loaf that was perfect for dipping in the pasta’s creamy sauce. When I stopped eating long enough to realize I was full, I still had a huge heap of pasta to take home for leftovers.

My dining partner ordered The Gobbler, a toasted croissant piled high with slow-roasted turkey, thick-cut bacon, and provolone and Swiss cheeses. The sandwich was dressed with a standard honey mustard, iceberg lettuce and Roma tomatoes and served with one side. My dining partner selected the house-made potato chips, which were crispy and fresh. The highlight of the sandwich, she said, was that Breck’s used “real” turkey rather than deli-style turkey.

Looking back, I couldn’t tell you why I waited so long to try out Breck’s Bistro, but I’m so glad I finally did. For about $15 plus tip, I had a filling lunch that turned into some tasty leftovers. I can confidently say I’ll be returning, if not just to sample the crawfish bread appetizer and use the outdoor patio.

Breck’s Bistro is at 3930 Burbank Drive, Suite F, and open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. with brunch served till noon on Saturdays, and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sundays for brunch. It’s also available through Waitr.