Bakewell residents Drexel and Pamela White are giving Sale Creek workers a good option for lunch with their new sandwich shop, the Lunchbox Eatery.
“It’s really good food that’s a great value for the price,” said Drexel White. “It may sound like the same-old, same-old, but I think we put a good twist on familiar items.”
Prior to opening the Lunchbox on May 25, Pamela White worked in all capacities of the restaurant industry from fast food to fine dining for more than 20 years, while Drexel White worked as a safety engineer.
He said his wife accompanied him to different job sites all over the country from Massachusetts to Texas to Florida.
“Our food brings the flavors and spices of these places together,” said Drexel White. “We offer hearty portions like in the Northeast and Midwest, where a lot of people work with their hands, and we feel that will be something that appeals in this area.”
Pamela White grew up in Sale Creek and the couple said they decided to open the restaurant there to be close to their current residence.
Each of the restaurant’s sandwiches have clever names such as the Politician, a pork sandwich served with a side of slaw.
In addition to regular menu items, Drexel White said the Lunchbox serves a different featured sandwich every day from Wednesday through Saturday. These include Mama Theresa’s Meatloaf Sandwich, which consists of Pamela White’s homemade meatloaf between two thick slices of bread dressed how you want it, and the Colossal Fish Sandwich made with a farm-raised catfish filet with her own special blend of spices.
“(The features) allow us to try out a few things,” he said. “Eventually if everyone likes it, it will go on the menu.”
THE LUNCHBOX IS OPENThe Lunchbox Eatery is at 15449 Dayton Pike and can be reached at 332-3773.
He said they would also like to serve dishes like the meatloaf and catfish as plates with side items as opposed to only on a sandwich.
“It’s our dream to have a full-service restaurant,” said Drexel White. “This allows us to get started with a small footprint and a flexible menu.”
He said other specialties include the “D Dog,” two quarter-pound hot dogs served on a hamburger bun with chili and slaw.
The restaurant serves only hot dogs and bologna made from 100 percent beef, said Drexel White.
“We didn’t want to use any meat made with fillers,” he said.
Drexel White said most items in the restaurant are homemade or cooked in-house as much as possible, such as their made-from-scratch slaw or pies, while pasta sides like the macaroni salad are purchased wholesale and “jazzed up a bit.”
He said Pamela White’s homemade sauces, especially the barbecue sauce and salsa, add the extra touches that really set the Lunchbox apart.
Prices range from $2.50 to $6.50, with items on the “Throwback” menu like peanut butter and jelly, grilled cheese or bologna sandwiches for $3.
While the restaurant is primarily takeout at the moment, Drexel White said they would like to have the outdoor patio area set up later this month.