Every now and then I’ll give you the dish…on just one dish!

Before it’s all said and done, I’ll dedicate one post to each of Hillcrest Artisan Meats’ sandwich creations. H.A.M. is one of those special places where serving up your typical, everyday sandwich just won’t cut it. None is more unique than the braised beef cheeks, a sandwich that only occasionally appears on the menu.

Like most sandwiches at H.A.M., the beef cheeks ($9) is comprised of just a few simple, yet thoughtfully combined ingredients: beef cheeks, caramelized onions, Gruyere, aioli, and arugula. Everything rests inside a Boulevard baguette and is served up with some Zapp’s potato chips.

The substantial ingredients provide for a more than adequate lunch. If you’re a little hesitant about eating beef cheeks…don’t be. Think of them as the most bad ass version of pot roast imaginable. Brandon (the owner) braises the cheeks in wine for about four hours, a process that yields a deliciously fork-tender piece of meat that is both rich and flavorful.

All elements of the sandwich blend so well together, from the chewy bread to the gooey cheese to the peppery greens. But make no mistake, this sandwich shines because of those cheeks.

H.A.M. doesn’t have a Twitter account, but you can follow them on Facebook, where they post a daily menu in the morning. If you happen to see the braised beef cheek sandwich, I highly recommend an early lunch that day. It typically sells out fast.

The best sandwich in Little Rock tends to do that.