Granite Plaza, Quincy

Mignosa's Fruit Basket may have the biggest selection of lunch options in Quincy. There's a deli counter with a healthy selection of freshly sliced meats, plus more than a dozen varieties of salads and slaws. On the lighter side, there's also a well-stocked salad bar, taco bar, soups and a la carte meals to choose from.

The Fruit Basket in Quincy is a great place to pick up lunch and get a few groceries. Samantha Taylor, 16,  brings a bowl of fresh pinapple to the fruit bar. Lisa Bul photo/The Patriot Ledger

For your sweet tooth, you can pick up a sugary snack from the Montilio's bakery counter, or take advantage of the extensive selection of loose candies.

If none of that suits you, there are also two pizzerias nearby, as well as Chinese food and a Boston Market.

HANGING OUT

Grab something to read and eat lunch al fresco at one of the sidewalk tables outside the Fruit Basket. There's also a Starbucks inside the nearby Star Market.

CHECK IT OUT

Burn off a few calories by walking over to the strip mall that fronts Granite Street. iParty says it's not too early to start thinking about a Halloween costume. And TJ Maxx is usually worth an extended browse. Aside from men's and women's clothes (OK, mainly women's clothes), the store also has a section in the back with housewares, including kitchen knicknacks, bathroom towels and picture frames.

If you can't find something to eat at Granite Plaza, then you're not really hungry. And if you can't find something inexpensive to buy, then you're just really thrifty.

Cost: $9.27 for a meatball sub, flavored Vitamin water and a bag of chips at the Fruit Basket; $5.99 for a wine decanter at TJ Maxx. Time: 50 minutes