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| - The owner of Helbach's did a fabulous job of updating the old Victor Allen's space on D'Onfrio Drive. By using repurposed wood and employing a blue and brown color scheme, they have given the location a rustic chic vibe, which was reinforced by the soft jazz playing in the back ground. There is plenty of plenty of seating options, including a group of comfy chairs around a fireplace. There also is a pleasant patio with outdoor seating. The Wi-Fi signal was strong and steady, despite a large lunch crowd when I visited. There also is a drive through window for those of you coffee achievers requiring caffeine on the go.
Helbach's offers the usual arsenal of coffee drinks, as well as teas and smoothies. There is a display filled with a tempting variety of homemade pastries. There is a small breakfast menu and a variety of sandwiches and salads for lunch. I tried the Patagonia Beef sandwich and absolutely loved it. It was both well designed and superbly executed - the roast beef was hot, tender and juicy and the homemade chimichurri sauce subtly boosted the ensemble's flavor. Every great sammie needs a steller bread component and the grilled ciabatta from Madison Sourdough did not disappoint. The lightly dressed greens on the sandwich would have benefited from being served as a side salad, as the heat from the beef turned them into mush by the time I consumed the second half of my sandwich. While the sandwich was on the smaller side, I felt it was a solid value at $8.50, given the quality of the ingredients.
The staff was friendly and efficient. I received my sandwich about ten minutes from the time I ordered. While no own checked in after I received my food, I was thanked for coming in as I departed.
In an area dominated by chain restaurants, Helbach's provides an oasis of homemade deliciousness. I'm certainly looking forward to exploring more of the sandwich menu as well as enjoying some time on their patio this summer.
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