The sister act that is the Blue Parrot Bistro in Gettysburg works its magic during lunch hour.

The only price you pay for a tasty meal is a few extra dollars and the wait for service.

I ordered a cup of the chili con carne to warm up from cold weather and the open-face turkey Reuben. The twist on the classic Reuben worked well and was filling, but it wasn't quite as good as the original with corned beef.

The sandwich came piled high on a piece of toasted bread with thick slices of turkey and a mound of sauerkraut and cheese.

It was also served with a side of chips, and some delicious cole slaw. I usually leave the tiny side dishes of cole slaw untouched, but this had a thinner sauce, allowing the taste of the vegetables to come through.

Another Evening Sun reporter ordered the bistro panini of the day, a meatball panini. After past difficulties in gracefully consuming sandwiches, she appreciated that the meatballs were conveniently cut in half, for easier munching. The marinara sauce came on the side for convenient, less messy dipping.

"I like our ever-changing specials list," said chef Allison Giles.

She attended the Culinary Institute of America, graduating in the first class to include women in the early '70s.

She has been co-owner of the bistro with her sister, Holly Giles, for 21 years.

"We've done very well together," Allison said. "I take care of the back of the restaurant, and she takes care of the front."

The sisters come from a long line of restaurateurs, as their mother owned several local restaurants. Both of their brothers are also in the restaurant business.

All of that goes a long way toward explaining the great selection of continental food offered at lunch and the bistro-perfect atmosphere.

The walls are lined with rotating pieces from local artists and a cheerful fire burned in the fireplace near the billiard table.

On the lunch menu, there is a great selection of appetizers, including hummus, chicken liver pate, soups, sandwiches, salads, omelets, quesadillas and lasagna.

The only complaint we had was that the deli special - half a sandwich and a cup of soup - is chosen daily by the kitchen, no mix and match from the menu.

I've heard some complaints about the cost of dinner, but the lunch is well-priced, especially for the amount of food. If it hadn't been so tasty, I would have had leftovers.

Ticket to Lunch is a weekly column featuring local restaurants' meals available during the lunch hour. Reach Kate Wilcox at kwilcox@eveningsun.com.

If you go

LOCATION: Blue Parrot Bistro, 35 Chambersburg St., Gettysburg

HOURS: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for dinner Tuesday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

OWNER'S PICK: Any of the ever-changing specials

PARKING: Street

ACCEPTS: Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express

TAKE-OUT: Yes

DELIVERY: No

DETAILS: Call 337-3739 or visit www.blueparrotbistro.com