Late last year, former Lux baker Lindsey Magee opened a charming little sandwich shop on McDowell Road just west of 16th Street. From the outside, the shop might not look like much, but step inside and you'll find a charming -- and quite spacious -- restaurant with cheery flowers on wooden tables and a bright, inviting feel. There's even a sunny back patio with plenty more seating, though from there you won't get to enjoy the view of the kitchen and bakery in action.
For those headed into downtown Phoenix from the East Valley, the best part might be that Ollie Vaughn's opens at 7 a.m. and serves an affordable menu of breakfast eats. You could go with something quick like a croissant or cinnamon roll, but if you have a few minutes to spare we highly recommend waiting for a made-to-order breakfast sandwich.
See also: Ollie Vaughn's Blends Fresh Comfort Food with a Quaint Atmosphere
The build-your-own breakfast sandwich at Ollie Vaughn's comes on your choice of housemade bread, a croissant, or biscuit, and though everything from the pastry case here is a good choice, savvy diners will go for the biscuit. It's flaky, super-buttery, and pretty much every thing you could want. You also get to pick your choice of breakfast meat and cheese (hint: go with Manchego), and have the option to add roasted veggies -- including chunky, tender roasted tomatoes. Even the eggs can be made just the way you like.
You'll have to wait a bit to get your food, but the good news is you can watch them assemble your sandwich in the kitchen. At least you know it's all fresh.
And the best part is that at $4.50 this is a filling meal that won't break the bank.
Ollie Vaughn's also serves lunch sandwiches, soups, housemade granola, and of course, pastries. We're particularly big fans of the lemon bars, which feature crumbly shortbread flavored with a hint of rosewater.
Ollie Vaughn's is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information or to see the whole menu, visit the Ollie Vaughn's website or Facebook.
