AZ Bread Co. on Elliot in Tempe is tucked away, but, walking in, the burst of color, the welcoming patio and the near-continuous smell of bacon immediately sets this place apart.

The specialized restaurant serves up breakfast until 10:30 a.m. and lunch every day until 2 p.m.

The lunch menu has the normal fare for a café-style establishment, sandwiches, wraps, salads and soups, but it's definitely trying to be different with items like Carne Adovado Salad, choose-your-own sandwich options and a wide variety of sides.

We ordered the half Carne Adovada sandwich and garden salad. The salad was loaded with veggies, red and green peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots and mushrooms. You won't find lame iceberg lettuce with this salad either; it was all spinach and red and green leaf lettuce.

The sandwich was divine. The meat was tender and juicy, sweet and smoky with a kick. Of course, the bread at a bread company was delicious. The French roll was soft and chewy in just the right way. We have no complaints about this one.

AZ Bread Co. is located at 315 W. Elliot Road in Tempe.

• Budget Beat