OTTO'S BARBEQUE
Houston, Texas

Businessmen fling their ties over their shoulders to prevent stains from dribbles of barbeque sauce at this Houston institution. Oilmen and U.S. presidents (Bush Sr. and Jr.) dine on the shaded concrete patio, talking shop and using lots of paper napkins while eating the ribs, brisket, and sausage links. Sides include barbeque beans and potato salad. There's a house-label root beer, but most opt for iced tea or a longneck bottle of beer, depending on how soon they need to get back to the office. Address: 5502 Memorial Drive.

AYOLA
San Francisco, California

Another popular Silicon Valley spot, this gyro stand has 7-inch and 9-inch Mediterranean-style pita sandwiches, falafel, and hummus. There are only a few tables so most of the idea exchange, networking, and dealmaking gets done while waiting in a line that snakes out the door at lunchtime. Employees of CNET, Yelp, TeeBeeDee, and other tech startups queue up daily and question each other about their latest projects. Address: 118 New Montgomery Street.

CURRY IN A HURRY
New York, New York

Though rough and a little seedy, this Indian and Pakistani cafeteria is nonetheless a favorite gathering place for people with offices in lower midtown Manhattan, like Russell Simmons, hip-hop mogul and C.E.O. of Rush Communications. A vegan, Simmons likes the curry eggplant and green vegetable juice here and discusses business with colleagues and clients in the upstairs dining area. But there are plenty of non-vegan options, including meat-filled dosas and samosas, along with chicken, beef, and lamb vindaloos and biryanis. Address: 119 Lexington Avenue, at 28th Street.

BITTERSWEET
Chicago, Illinois

Architects and their clients study blueprints at this little pastry shop in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. Management from nearby restaurants interviews prospective chefs, sous chefs, and waitstaff here. Bittersweet is known for its decadent chocolates but also serves quiches and grilled sandwiches, usually with cheese oozing out of the sides. More often however, business is discussed over coffee and a plate of cookies. Address: 1114 West Belmont Avenue.