The business crowd piling into the Red Fox every day isn't after mood lighting and fine dining. They're seeking a good value, good food and good service -- and that's what they consistently get.

A well-frequented downtown breakfast and lunch spot at Sixth and Sycamore (232 E. Sixth St., 513-621-7924, open 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday), the Red Fox is located in a squat building in the shadow of P&G's world headquarters. It's downright generic inside, with fluorescent lights, Formica tables and nary a print or poster in sight.

Spartan, clean and old-fashioned, it feels like it's from a different era. That's because it is: The Fox has been in this location under the same family ownership for almost 40 years. Prices are also a relic from another time, with the most expensive menu items ringing in at only $5.25. (Payment is cash only.)

Service is excellent -- just the right mix of brusque, brisk and friendly. Servers know their way around an order pad and work hard for their money. Menus hit the table within seconds, drink orders are taken and delivered promptly and the food comes out fast (checks conveniently tucked on the side) even when the restaurant is full.

After suffering through some very spotty service recently at a few Cincinnati fine dining establishments, I'd like to propose that servers at all high-end restaurants complete a mandatory basic training at the Red Fox to learn firsthand the fundamentals of good service and customer focus.

My companion ordered a Turkey and Tomato Double Decker Sandwich ($4) on whole wheat bread. It was generously stuffed with thin-sliced turkey, came with a big pile of potato chips and was more than she could finish. I ordered a Grilled Swiss Cheese with Tomato Sandwich ($3.25), substituting fries for the chips. The fries at the Fox are a favorite, served piping hot and freshly made. My sandwich was tasty, with large slices of fresh tomato, and wasn't at all greasy as grilled cheese sandwiches can get in this kind of joint.

I also tried one of the three homemade soups of the day. The Chicken Noodle Soup ($2) had a nicely seasoned broth with lots of broad noodles and chicken chunks and tasted homemade. (The chicken chunks were a little tough, but at this price for an ample-sized cup I'm not complaining.)

The Fox is the kind of place that inspires fierce loyalty among its patrons. I know a group of office workers who have gone there every Friday for at least five years for a round of Cokes and tuna salad sandwiches. And then there was my coworker, a Fox lover and former beauty pageant winner, who used to prance around the office whispering "I'm feelin' FOXY!" whenever she was trying to entice the lunch crew to head for the Fox. It worked every time. Grade: B+