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Can't beat this deal

DINING OUT: Breads are fresh

BY PETE TITTL, Contributing columniste-mail:
ptittl@bakersfield.com | Wednesday, Jun 24 2009 07:36 PM

Last Updated Wednesday, Jun 24 2009 07:36 PM

Even as the economy shows signs of turning around, we hear all around us that things will never be the way they were. Frugality is the new black, whatever that means. Coupons are suddenly cool, whereas previously they were used only by the tight and those on fixed incomes. Never again, we're told, will Americans go back to their wasteful ways.

Oh, that that were true. But I have always been on the lookout for a good value to recommend in this column, and reader Bob Pilshaw was kind enough to pass on a lunch steal a few weeks ago: The Honey Baked Ham Company. "One of the best kept secrets in BFL is the luncheon sandwiches at Honey Baked Ham on Ming Ave. Generous sandwiches (ham, turkey, ham salad, etc.) for $3.35 to 3.95 plus sides that are available. Luncheon plates for comparable low prices, and take out meals that are delicious, generous in size and low prices."

Magic words to me, but sadly by the time I got there prices had skyrocketed to $6.75 for the sandwich combo. I was crestfallen, until I realized that I had a companion with me and the sandwich board outside said "Buy one combo, get one free." Magnificent. Might even be a few cents cheaper than Bob told me.

I'm already a big fan of the ham here since my sister-in-law brought one to a holiday dinner. They are spiral-sliced, tender, not injected with water or cobbled together like the low-priced product. There is a difference in taste, and the small restaurant is eager to remind you of that with its slogan: "Now everyday can taste like Christmas." Most of the 10 sandwiches on the menu include ham, though they also offered roast beef with cheese and a pastrami melt. When we visited, all sandwiches were priced the same: $5.75 a la carte and $6.75 as a combo with a small garden salad and a side dish. I chose the ham and turkey club, while my companion selected the ham barbecue sandwich.

We were the only customers in the place on this weekday, at least the only ones dining on the premises. It's like eating in a small grocery store, and the two people behind the counter could hear anything we said. It was pretty quiet.

What Bob didn't really impress upon me enough was the quality of the ingredients: the great vegetables, the freshest breads (rye and whole wheat were the two we chose). The ham, of course, we knew about, but the turkey breast on my club sandwich was thick, unprocessed breast meat. Nicely done. My companion's ham sandwich had a barbecue sauce that was a bit heavy handed, but I guess people who order that kind of sandwich would expect that. I missed the delicate taste of the chain's ham. One other nice point: the cheeses to choose from included cheddar, Swiss, gouda and pepper jack, and they could be melted if you requested.

Side dish options include stuffing with gravy, mashed potatoes with gravy, cream corn, cole slaw, sweet potatoes and the two we chose: cheesey potatoes and barbecue beans. Hard to say which was more impressive. The potatoes were like a mild au gratin, with nice bits of ham inside a cheddary blend. The beans were thick with molasses and, again, the ham. I also loved the Italian dressing on the garden salad (made with Romaine lettuce), which was more like a simple, garlicky vinaigrette than the brackish version too many restaurants call Italian dressing.

For a great lunch value, I can definitely recommend The Honey Baked Ham Company. Thanks Bob!