The beef advertisements ask, "What's for dinner?" For some a more difficult question is, "What's for lunch?" Even on days when you know what would make a delicious lunch, you are too tired the night before and too rushed that morning to prepare it and there isn't even time to bring leftovers from last night's dinner.

Then the question becomes, where to go for lunch.

When this happens frequently, value becomes an important factor. Middleburg may not be a big town but it offers enough variety to make eating out every day both a pleasure and affordable.

Following is a rundown of delicious weekday lunch options that will please your pocketbook:

Dank's Deli
Begin at the east end of town at Dank's Deli. Most everything there is an excellent value because the sandwiches are so good and so filling. The most popular are the Santa Fe Chicken with spinach, tomato and hot & sweet peppers ($4.99) and the California Cruiser with Pesto Mayo ($5.15). The best value is the daily soup and a half sandwich ($4.60).

Your sandwich can be prepared on your choice of bread or completely custom designed. Dank's Deli is open from 10-6. Calling in your order to 540-687-3456 ahead of time is always a good idea. Pasta salads, cole slaw and potato salad are so popular they can disappear before noon, so arrive early.

Coach Stop
Heading west on Washington St., the next place to have lunch is the Coach Stop. The Coach Stop's very best lunch value is their daily special. Recent daily specials were a Turkey Reuben Sandwich, Quiche or Lasagna. The special is always the same price, $6.25, and includes iced tea or soda. The Coach Stop is open anytime for lunch, so if your lunch time falls early in the morning, they'll be happy to see you. Reservations may be made by telephoning 540-687-5515.

The Piedmont Gourmet
A few doors down is a fine foods shop that also sells freshly made sandwiches and salads called The Piedmont Gourmet. Their sandwiches are as interesting as the names suggest.

The Heigh Ho Silver is Black Forest ham and Gruyere cheese; the Sly Fox is avocado, Swiss cheese and red onions. These are priced at $6.50 and $7. They also offer Chicken Tarragon or Tuna salad ($9.99 lb.) and Insalata Caprese (mozzarella, tomato & basil) ($8.00 lb.). Everything is prepared fresh each morning and special orders are welcomed for large parties. Piedmont Gourmet is open from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and they may be reached by phone at 540-687-6833.

The Red Fox Inn
Across the street is the widely known Red Fox Inn. The best value for your wallet is probably on the daily special list. The day I visited two items were offered: Pork Barbecue on a Roll with Potato Salad or Burgundy Beef Tenderloin Tips over Rice with a house salad, each was $8.95.

The most popular item is on their regular menu, the Crab Cake sandwich on an onion roll with Sweet Potato Fries is $13.75.

They are open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and may be reached at 540-687-6301.

Teddy's Pizza & Subs
On the same block, on Federal St. is Teddy's Pizza & Subs. If you aren't too hungry one slice of pizza will only set you back $1.75. All the small sub sandwiches are $5.45. They are open every day. 540-687-8880.

Back St. Cafe
Across and up the hill from there is the Back St. Cafe. At $4.50/lb. their salad bar is a great value. Besides all the ingredients for a good vegetable salad there are pasta and tuna salads and cous cous.

A long time favorite on their menu is the curried chicken salad at $6.95. They are open from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and their telephone number is 540-687-5282.

Mosby's Tavern
North of the light is Mosby's Tavern. Their special is usually a lighter version of something from their regular menu and a bargain at $4.25. They especially try to cater to their local customers. They are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and their telephone number is 540-687-5282.

Black Coffee Bistro
Two doors west of the light is the Black Coffee Bistro. Well-known for their fresh ingredients, the Chicken Club Sandwich is great bang for the buck. Served with hand cut french fries and a salad of vegetables or fruit, $9.00 is a reasonable price. They are open from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. but they are closed on Mondays. Telephone 540-687-3632 with orders or for reservations.

Virginia Country Store & Creamery
Next door is the newly named Virginia Country Store and Creamery. They have the cheapest lunch in town. An egg salad sandwich with a bag of chips is $2.95. They also have fresh squeezed lemonade and home made ice cream. It is great that their lunch is inexpensive because once you've tasted this ice cream, you'll have to have it every time you walk past. Two favorites are Mocha Toffee Crunch and Gold Cup Crunch. They are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and may be reached by phone at 540-687-4754.

The Hidden Horse Tavern
Around the corner and downstairs is The Hidden Horse Tavern. Their best value is a salad and daily quiche special for $8.75 or soup and salad for $9.25. The long standing Spinach Salad with Salmon is only $9.75. They are open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Reservations may be made at 540-687-3828.

Upper Crust Bakery
West of Safeway is the Upper Crust Bakery. Famous for their cookies, the bakery, as it is simply called, also has great sandwiches. One of the best is the Hukilau Holiday. For $4.95 you'll have turkey, avocado, lettuce, tomato and mayo on sourdough. This way you'll have money for some cookies! Open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., you may place orders at 540-687-5666.

Maxwell's Pub
At the end of the same block is Maxwell's Pub. The focus here is on the daily special. Usually a fresh and tasty wrap or sandwich for between $4 and $6. The other day, they were offering pork loin and stuffing for $6.

You can sit inside or outside or receive a 10% discount on a to-go order. They will also fax their daily specials to you every day. Open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 540-687-6443.

Salamander Market
Last but not least is the new Salamander Market. They have an impressive list of vegetable dishes and salads on their lunch menu with several changing daily that are made with local seasonal delicacies.

Your lunch may be a custom combination. The crab cake or barbecue sandwiches are delicious and good value at $6.79. Lunch is available anytime from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday. Telephone to place orders at 540-687-8011.

So if you're close enough to lunch in Middleburg, don't worry about making it yourself or packing the leftovers.

Give the leftovers to the dog, and enjoy lunch in town without too much damage to your wallet.