Two blocks west of Broadway along Pike Street in Capitol Hill exists a small restaurant, HoneyHole Sandwiches. It’s almost invisible to those who aren’t looking for it. I nearly walked past it, but the BOOZE light caught my eye.

Twenty-somethings filled the hole-in-the-wall café. Odds and ends speckled the ketchup-colored walls, and rock music vibrated the speakers. Only a couple of tables were open, and they were quickly taken by walk-ins.

“Damn, that’s a good sandwich,” headed the “Almost Legendary” menu selection of hot, cold and vegetarian sandwiches.

Many people find the idea of vegetarian bacon oxymoronic and/or repulsive. Personally, I find the unique taste oddly comforting. HoneyHole’s Vegi BLT – Smart Bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise on the guest’s choice of bread — is only one of HoneyHole’s vegetarian options. El Capitan is another: marinara sauce, red onions, green bell pepper, tomato, parmesan, mozzarella and provolone stuff a sourdough roll.

The hot specialty sandwich I ordered, the Waverider, was tasty. Smoked turkey, red onions, tomatoes, smoked Gouda and roasted red peppers loaded a pesto-smeared sourdough roll. A toasted shell of bread guarded the sandwich, but breaking that barrier led to warm and fluffy sourdough. The strong flavors never overwhelmed, but rather complemented each other.

Each half of the sandwich was comparable in size to a burger from Dick’s, and one half of the Waverider was sufficient to satisfy my appetite. Having taken the leftovers home for lunch the next day, I warmed the sandwich in the microwave and toasted the fries in the oven. Granted, the sandwich did not have the same toasty shell, but it was just as satisfying the second time around.

HoneyHole’s day menu is about the same as the night menu, but cheaper. Meals range from about $4-6. Another option is the HoneyHole Lunch Pail Boxed Lunch, which includes a half sandwich, Tim’s Cascade chips, coleslaw and a cookie for $8.25.

Most of the dinner menu sandwiches cost between $7-9; the Waverider was $8.50. I tend to drink water, so that cost didn’t add into my bill, but a soda or a beer may push the check to just a little more than $10. However, with the overall taste and leftover potential, I’d say HoneyHole Sandwiches is worthy of a student’s budget.

B.

Reach reporter Ashleen Aguilar at weekender@dailyuw.com.