Delicious

Knuckle Sandwich

Not everyone would give a sandwich a second thought: Grab some bread, something from the deli, slap on some cheese and some mustard and call it lunch.

But Eddie Campbell, one of East Dallas’ only gourmet sandwich peddlers, has had sandwiches on the mind for a while.

“There are significantly more great sandwich shops on the East Coast,” Campbell says. “Actually, in all the other major cities there are more sandwich shops. I just felt that Dallas needed one and we were excited about it. I felt it went well with fun cocktails.”

That’s Knuckle Sandwich in a nutshell — new takes on classic lunch fare, backed by a full bar.

Campbell grew up in Washington, D.C., where hoagies, heroes and grinders could be found around every corner. It left a strong impression.

“We were usually on the go, we were moving fast and always hungry, and that would be my go-to, to grab a sandwich,” he says.

Campbell — one of the minds behind the popular Parliament watering hole on Allen in Uptown — opened Knuckle Sandwich Co. in May after the space once occupied by Vagabond became available. This is Campbell’s first time with a kitchen, but he wasn’t worried about the menu.

“We said when we were opening, if we can do to sandwiches what we’ve done to cocktails, we’ll have done something right,” he says.

Knuckle’s menu is full of new takes on well-known sandwiches. The Cuban, for example, is a sandwich that he “had to have” on the menu. Instead of traditional ham, Knuckle’s Cuban is topped with pork belly and prosciutto. The pressed, hot sandwich also is loaded with house-made mustard, briare and IPA pickles.

So far the restaurant’s titular sandwich also is its No. 1 seller. Like the Cu- ban, the Knuckle Sandwich also features pork belly, but this time is topped with a fried egg and pimento cheese.

Sandwiches are, well, sandwiched by two pieces of bread baked by the La Spiga bakery in Addison.

Campbell says the list of sandwiches served at Knuckle will evolve over time. And Knuckle’s kitchen is open until 11 p.m. every night, for those wanting a pre-midnight snack.

—STEVE DICKERSON

AMBIENCE: Neighborhood bar

PRICE RANGE: $10-$15

HOURS: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Sandwiches are served until 11 p.m.

DID YOU KNOW: Knuckle Sandwich recently added gluten free and vegan options to the menu.

Frozen Hot Chocolate

While we are soaring through the hottest part of summer, there is only one way to stay cool: frozen treats after a long day of outdoor play and backyard barbecues. Frozen hot chocolate has become a favorite in my family because it’s rich chocolate, not overly sweet, and the frothy flavor brings us back to the comfort of the hot chocolate we love during the winter months. Blend the frozen hot chocolate to be extra smooth before pouring into a large mug and top with fresh whipped cream, toasted marshmallows and crumbled graham crackers.

Ingredients:

6 ounce semi sweet-chocolate chips

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

4 tablespoons powdered sugar

3 cups whole milk

5 cups ice

Optional Toppings:

Whipped cream

Toasted marshmallows

Graham cracker crumbs

Directions:

Melt chocolate in a bowl over a double boiler, stirring constantly.

Once chocolate is completely melted, add cocoa powder and powdered sugar, whisking until completely combined. Add half of the milk to chocolate mixture and whisk until smooth. Remove the chocolate mixture from the heat and allow it to cool completely. Add ice, the remaining milk and chocolate mixture into a blender and blend until it becomes very frothy with no large chips of ice.

Pour frozen hot chocolate into a glass or mug and top with fresh whipped cream, toasted marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs. Serve immediately.

Kristen Massad writes a monthly column about sweets and baked goods. The professional pastry chef graduated from the French Culinary Institute in New York City and owned Tart

Bakery on Lovers Lane for eight years. She blogs about food and lifestyles at inkfoods.com.

While other contests focus on the entire city, ours looks only at the Best Of our neighborhood. It highlights the places and spaces that are beloved by our readers, not some corporate marketing team, and it shows what we value as a community.

When looking for a raucous night out, our readers suggest hitting Truck Yard for a beer in the treetop bar. But if you’re in the mood for a classic watering hole, you won’t find something more Lakewood than the Balcony Club by the theater.

If you’re looking for a place to work out, especially one where you’re likely to run into a neighbor or five, you’ll want to head to the White Rock YMCA. When it’s time for the pooch to get a summer cut, it’s Vhea’s dining SPOTLIGHT

BREAKFAST/LUNCH