DINING OUT:

Every spring it happens without warning. There is nothing you can do about it except lock yourself in a room or make an excuse to go to the library or dentist. Trust me, eventually the rubber gloves and bucket come out. That’s right. Spring cleaning has arrived, and my mom is in her cleaning frenzy.

This year, I discovered the perfect escape from her bucket brigade. I offered to go get her one of her favorite sandwiches for lunch. Fortunately, I knew the perfect place to save me from Mom’s involuntary cleaning draft, Venice Deli in Burbank.

Like you, I have my favorite local delis that I tend to always go to because I do not have to think about my order. Last week, my usual spot was packed at lunchtime. I looked at my watch and realized my mom was going to start wondering where I ran off to. My only salvation from a day of dreary cleaning was a meatball sandwich for Mom. Yes, it is a bribe, but who cares? Besides, you know you would do the same thing.

As I started to panic, I remembered that I had seen another deli just the other day. I admit I have driven past Venice Deli on Burbank Boulevard and barely given it a second thought. Now my only hope was that they knew how to make a meatball sandwich.

Venice Deli is definitely a small place, nothing fancy. There are a few tables and an intimate patio section, but it is obvious the effort is in the food, not the decor. Inside the glass counter are cold salads, marinated mushrooms and artichokes. Everything is made right there directly behind the counter. Before I could even read the menu, I had to stop and watch an older gentleman toss pizza dough with the grace of a maestro directing a symphony.

I considered ordering a pizza. Although the toppings are limited to the basics, from pepperoni to pineapple, the prices seemed more than fair considering the size of the dough he was working with. A small pizza was only $4.50 and a medium $5.99.

I was on a mission here, so I ordered a small meatball sandwich for Mom. I opted for the cold roast beef sub. Venice Deli has a respectable number of cold and hot sub sandwiches, from your classic turkey, ham, chicken and Italian combos to hot pastrami, eggplant Parmesan and ultimate veggie. Sandwiches come in two sizes, small ($4) and large ($6).

Venice Deli also has a few salads, including a pretty good Greek salad and a much better antipasto salad. Salads come in three sizes, small ($4.99), medium ($5.99) and large ($8.99). A medium antipasto salad was more than enough for my mom and I to share. The deli side salads are flavorful and fresh. The country potato salad and fruit ambrosia are perfect matches for any cold sub.

Along with pizza, Venice Deli offers a few classic Italian dishes. The calzones make a great lunch, but I prefer the pasta dishes for dinner. The hot entrees ($6.99) all come with a green salad and bread.

I was surprised that Venice Deli was not crowded on a typical weekday lunch hour. Fortunately, that fact saved me from a day of outsmarting dust bunnies. My roast beef sub was stacked with fresh meat, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese on a fresh roll.

The real test was the meatball sandwich for Mom. The meatballs were lean and tender, the sauce thick and perfectly seasoned. If I tell you that my mom not only organized my office at home, but repainted it, would that say just how good Venice Deli makes their meatball sandwich? I thought so.

 CHRISTINE PUTNAM is a freelance writer. She can be contacted by e-mail at www.christineputnam.com.  CHRISTINE PUTNAM is a freelance writer. She can be contacted by e-mail at www.christineputnam.com.