Perennially popular, Element Fresh hits the spot with its tempting selection of healthy salads, pasta dishes (Western and Asian) and hefty sandwiches.

These go especially well with the Asian-accented dishes and other robust offerings, like the pizzas, burgers and hefty sandwiches, on the menu.

At Plum's there are hefty sandwiches (from about $2.50 to $5) and homemade ice cream starting at $1.30.

Shopping-bag picnics at $15 each include a main-course cold pasta salad or a hefty sandwich on country bread or baguette, a small appetizer, green salad, dessert and nonalcoholic beverage.

Carol made hefty sandwiches and a giant pitcher of iced tea.

It's not as crowded, a hefty sandwich of pork and pickled jalapeño is available, and light streams in the big downstairs windows.

In addition to cakes and scones, Silver Tips Tea Room serves samosas, salads and hefty sandwiches.

One hefty sandwich might satisfy two people.

Stone Soup, at both 50 Broadway, (704) 255-7687, and 8 Wall Street, (704) 254-0844, offers soups, salads and hefty sandwiches on wholegrain breads.

Downtown Pies Bubby's, at 120 Hudson Street (North Moore) in Manhattan, is a cozy cafe with a menu of hefty sandwiches and simple, homestyle food available to eat in or take out.