sandwich heaven

j. holmes Arizona Daily Wildcat

Beyond Bread Bakery/Cafe offers not only whole loaves of beyond-heavenly bread, but a creative menu that includes all manner of hot and cold sandwiches.

Beyond Bread's offerings range from the simple, like Bob's BLT on toasted white bread ($5.50), to more exotic sandwiches like Max's Muffalotta ($5.75), which includes capicolla, ham, provolone, tomato, roasted red pepper, olive paste and vinaigrette on ciabatta. They say a sandwich always tastes better when someone else makes it, but I doubt most people even have the resources to recreate the Muffalotta.

Ashlee's Albacore ($5.50) is the best tuna fish in Tucson. It's simple, light on the mayonnaise, and comes on wonderful white bread, which is a far cry from the bland supermarket offerings of the same name.

My dining partner enjoyed Fran's frommage ($5.00): brie, tomato and lettuce on a baguette. This is one of two vegetarian options at Beyond Bread. If your tastes don't run to brie or feta, you can always go for a Plain Jane ($4.75), and create your own sandwich from a list of meat, cheese and veggie options.

Sandwiches at Beyond Bread are generously sized, and all come with Poore Brothers potato chips. I would recommend ordering half a sandwich, and indulging in a Beyond Bread dessert. While the most tempting cakes, mostly cream cheese based, are not sold by the slice, the cheesecake brownie ($1.75) gave me the impression that the cheesecake itself would be worth taking home.

No matter what time of day one goes to Beyond Bread, there will probably be a wait for a table. But the service is prompt and friendly, and I would still recommend the sandwiches