Good sandwich vibes abound

French Dip ($13.50), Utz The Crab Chip ($1) and Becky’s Sweet Tea ($3)

Gone are the days of ho-hum sandwiches for lunch. At E.A.R.L. (which stands for Eat A Real Lunch), this classic meal receives a gourmet makeover at both locations in Kakaako and Kaimuki. Owner Justin Parvizimotlagh, who decided to open the eatery to bring an East Coast-inspired sandwich shop to Honolulu, shares his secret to a perfect sandwich: “Good bread, good ingredients and good vibes.”

Good vibes, indeed. All of the condiments, spreads, jams and reductions are made in-house at E.A.R.L., along with many meats, including the brisket and pork belly. The menus at Kakaako and Kaimuki differ slightly, but both serve exceptional and unique dishes that customers can enjoy.

Cubano ($12.50), Becky’s Sweet Tea ($3) and Utz The Crab Chip ($1)

One favorite is the French Dip ($13.50), a hefty sandwich that’s packed with flavor and substance. It’s filled with succulent bites of steak, rich roasted garlic mayo, chimichurri, fennel onion marmalade and pepper jack cheese. Another popular dish is the Fried Chicken Po Boy ($13), served with crispy fried chicken tossed in smooth and buttery hot sauce, remoulade, tomatoes, pickles and lettuce. The Cubano ($12.50) is another memorable experience, served with sliced ham, braised pork belly, roasted garlic dijionaise, Swiss cheese, homemade pickles and fresh lime. Everything comes together — the tender meat, flavorful sauces and of course the bread, which holds up well to all the fillings.

E.A.R.L. is proud to offer catering options, and Parvizimotlagh says business has been steady. The catering is ideal for meetings, conferences and special events.

“We extend discounts of 10%-15%, depending on the size of the order and accommodate catering orders of any and all sizes,” he says.