Let's Eat: Honey Baked Ham cafe offers lunch, Thanksgiving fixin's

The newly-opened Honey Baked Ham cafe in Ahwatukee Foothills can either provide your entire Thanksgiving meal or lunch on a weekday afternoon.

The franchise, located at 5030 E. Ray Road, opened Sept. 8 by co-owners Toni Gilbert and Rick Boes. The duo has been with the company for more than 20 years each, and said they jumped at the chance to open a store of their own.

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"We're very excited to be here," Gilbert said. "I truly believe it's been long overdue."

Lunch options include the Honey Baked Ham classic sandwich, ultimate club sandwich or the new turkey salad with cranberries and pecans. All sandwiches are available in wraps or combos and come with a choice of side and beverage.

Gilbert said with Thanksgiving approaching, Honey Baked phones have already started to ring.

The Honey Baked Ham and turkey breast uses a family tradition secret recipe with a special family secret glaze, and are made fresh every day.

The cafe also sells microwaveable sides, such as cinnamon apples, broccoli rice casserole, green bean casserole, potatoes au gratin, sweet potato souffle, cornbread dressing, garlic mashed potatoes, macaroni and potato salads, red beans and rice, pasta alfredo primavera and baked beans with bacon.

Honey Baked Ham also offers catering, box lunches, party trays and participates in fundraisers. Desert Vista High School's Tru Blu Kru Hip/Hop Team, for example, is selling $10, $25, $35, $40 and $50 Honey Baked Ham gift certificates to raise money for performance clothing.

"This community is such a close-knit type of community, we like to do everything we can," Gilbert said.

Cafe hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call (480) 598-3000 or visit www.honeybakedforyou.com.