Happy Salad

Salad may not be the first thing you think of when going out for Chinese food, but Happy Salad—a casual Hong Kong-style cafe on 86th street in Bensonhurst with a bunch of tables, booths, and not a whole lot else in terms of decor—does in fact make Chinese-influenced salads. It’s not fancy, but it’s a solid pick for a weekday lunch on days when you can’t decide whether you want a big bowl of vegetables or some black pepper steak. But don’t let the name dissuade you from exploring the rest of the menu. Some of the best things here are comforting dishes like instant noodles stir-fried with Spam and eggs, and ultra-thick French toast topped with condensed milk.