Dinosaurs used to eat rocks to help them break up the harsh meals they ingested—a fact unequivocally proven when scientists found fossilized bones with rocks near them. Today's Groupon to Carolyn's Gourmet Cafe is easier on the stomach. For $10, you'll get $25 worth of sandwiches, drinks, and more. Located in the heart of Midtown at W. Peachtree and 14th, Carolyn's serves up lunch Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner Tuesday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Relax with a beer at the end of the workweek with live acoustic music on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., or gather for weekday lunches on Carolyn's breezy open patio.

Carolyn's menu offers plenty of grabbable grub (in whole and half sizes) full of the nutrients and positive attitude needed to support your Iron Man suit. Try the Inspiration, Carolyn's take on the grilled cheese, with a trio of Swiss, cheddar, and provolone ($5.25–$6.75), or beef up with the Need to Succeed, a hot roast-beef sandwich with cream cheese on wheat ($5.48–$6.99). Unlike the average BLT, Carolyn's Commitment to Excellence ($5.48–$6.99) adds blue-cheese crumbles and laser-vision. Those who prefer their food in cocoon form will be happier with a wrap such as the Innerdrive (with pepperoni, salami, ham, lettuce, onion, provolone, tomato, and Italian dressing, $7.49). All of the sandwiches are carefully assembled from fresh-baked breads and Boar's Head meats and cheeses. Carolyn's also offers fresh salads, such as the light yet bacon-topped Cobb salad ($6.99) and personal 8-inch pizzas made from homemade dough and sauce, like the veggie delight pizza (with spinach, mushrooms, onions, olives, tomatoes, feta, and mozzarella, $7.49).

Carolyn's rich interior and casual cafe-meets-pub atmosphere wraps you in a cozy wooden blanket. The charming spot is perhaps best known for its gourmet lunches and lively happy hours, during which sadness must be stored in designated Sorrow Cubes. Carolyn's makes all its sandwiches, salads, wraps, soups, and pizza quickly so that your lunch hour won't feel rushed, like that dentist appointment you gave yourself while driving.

Reviews

Creative Loafing and Gayot have featured Carolyn's Gourmet Cafe. Citysearchers and Yelpers give it four stars, and 77% of Urbanspooners like it:

• The food is great and there are plenty of choices (sandwich, pizza, salad, soup) to suit any appetite. In six years, I have never had a bad experience. – JimBNSC, Citysearch
• Sandwiches get unique names, giving nods to business tycoon types. Thus, the Reuben is the Conqueror. Wraps are another good option. There's soup---usually three kinds---and pizza. Dinner is burgers. Bring friends and gather 'round the bar or sit on the sofa for an after-work nibble and conversation. – Gayot
• Portions were good, and the wrap was tasty - a buffalo chicken wrap. – Carol Bell, Urbanspoon