Best Bites: PK Cafe
186 College Parkway, Colchester 655-6565
Burlingtonians tend to come in factions. You’re either a Sandwich Company person, or you’re a Red Onion person. Not surprisingly, I am neither. I enjoy — even occasionally crave — grinders from the aforementioned eateries, but usually when I’m thinking meat between two slices of bread, my mind goes right to PK Café, on Route 15 across from St. Michael's College.
Specifically, to the Vermonster (right). Start with buttery and crisp — but not too crisp — focaccia, a holdover from PK’s previous incarnation as Purple Knight Pizza. Add well-seasoned turkey, crisp slices of Granny Smith apples, sharp cheddar and sweet and tangy cranberry mayo and what have you got? My favorite sandwich.
I'm also a fan of the Honey Chicken Breast (right, below), a juicy slab of meat in a surprisingly piquant homemade honey mustard, topped with crisp bacon, lettuce and tomato. There are breakfast sandwiches available all day. On my next visit, I'm planning to try the Steak, Cheese and Egg Burrito. Composed of three eggs, shaved steak, sautéed mushrooms, onions and provolone. How could it go wrong?
If I’m feeling really crazy, I’ll get some mildly nutty sesame noodles from the case while I wait for my sandwich. I complete the meal with choices from a swell variety of drinks and fresh baked goods. PK Café is one of the only places in Vermont where I can get bottles of Welch's grape soda — my favorite. I finished my last visit — which I spent on one of the comfy couches — with a moist cinnamon muffin. I’m also a fan of the chocolate chip cookies.
What's your sandwich allegiance? Once you try PK, you just might flip.
That's a great suggestion. It's good to have a Quiznos alternative for sandwiches near Winnooski. Their site says their open until 8pm. Wish it was later. You'd think with the students across the street...
Posted by: Don Eggert | September 22, 2009 at 01:19 PM
I'm a fan of the pannini sandwiches at Healthy living (proscuitto, cheese and onion relish) and martone's. Not a fan of VT Sandwich Co's wimpy, plain-jane offerings that I received a few years back, and never returned.
I'd kill for one of our many vietnamese resturants to offer some ban minh, though. With 17,000 in town (or so it seems like), you'd think one of them could offer some...
Posted by: verplanck colvin | September 22, 2009 at 01:49 PM
Nice review. PK Cafe is something of a hidden gem. I love their sandwiches, and not just because I can throw a rock at it from where I live.
Posted by: Tyler Machado | September 22, 2009 at 01:57 PM
Ask and you shall receive! Check out my new personal commissary, 99 Asian Market. They make banh mi to order for $3 a pop. They also have my favorite cha gio in town. Haven't tried the pho or bun yet, but will be sure to report back when I do.
Posted by: Alice Levitt | September 22, 2009 at 01:57 PM
Yes! Thank you!
Posted by: verplanck colvin | September 22, 2009 at 05:03 PM