Two huge, red, octagonal signs plastered to the front windows of The Spot scream ``Stop! Come in!'' -- especially at 5 a.m. if you're craving a meatball hoagie after night of clubbing.

Two brothers from New York, Collin James ``CJ'' McMurren and Richard Ray, started looking for affordable food that wasn't pizza or junk after moving to the Beach 2000. They decided to fill the niche themselves four months ago on Alton Road.

CJ, who made commercials and videos in New York, often works the night shift while older brother Richard, an attorney and aspiring novelist, stops by daily to help out.

The menu is a mix of New York-style deli sandwiches and loosely interpreted Cajun, Caribbean and Southern comfort foods. Lots of folks come for paninis piled with premium Brickman's meats and cheeses and Cajun remoulade spiked with horseradish and cayenne.

Fried chicken tenders are another favorite, stuffed in a po'boy or as a platter with coleslaw and hush puppies. Though not as big as the New Orleans originals (given to transit workers -- the ``poor boys'' -- during a 1929 strike), the po'boys here are good-sized with lightly spiced fried shrimp or fish beneath shredded lettuce in a soft roll.

Sides include seasoned fries, onion rings and red beans and rice, with such daily specials as collards with bacon, mac and cheese, skillet sweet potatoes and black-eyed peas.

Italian ices served in a rainbow of flavors from coconut to watermelon just might hit the spot at 5 in the morning.