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Hanover Hub is a sandwich place and creative space


If you go

Location: 11 York St., Hanover

Cuisine: American

Jess' pick: The EichelBurger with fries, $7.95

Parking: Street

Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays

Price range: $2.95, breakfast sandwich; $7.95, sandwiches including The Hub Club, The Ancho and The EichelBurger

Alcohol: No

Accepts: Cash and credit

Takeout: Yes

Kid's menu: Yes

Details: Call 717-630-9224, visit hanoverhub.com or search The Hanover Hub on Facebook

Have an idea for an On The Menu column? Contact Jess Krout at jskrout@gmail.com or find her on Twitter @JessKrout

See all of our past On The Menu columns on flipsidepa.com/ fooddrink

Near Hanover's center square is a creative outlet – that just so happens to serve sandwiches and coffee, too.

The Hanover Hub welcomes musicians, artists -- writers, too, with Wi-Fi and relaxing chairs. It's housed in the Hotel Richard McAllister building, which has kept its art deco charm over the years.

On a recent December night, it's hard to miss the bright-shining hotel marquee on York Street. The Hub has its own entrance to the left of the hotel's doors.

Once inside, a vintage bar takes center stage where customers place orders. A chalkboard hanging behind the bar lists menu options, from all-day breakfast to sandwiches, wraps and salads, and specialty coffees.

I happened to be there on open mic night when tables and chairs were full. A stage was set up on one side of the cafe with performers – young and old -- taking the spotlight.

Behind the stage is one of the most intriguing pieces of art in the cafe -- The Hanover Hub spelled with nails in the wall.

Also intriguing is the menu, with sandwich names including The HuBurger – a 6-ounce burger for $6.45, The Hubba-Cado – avocado topped with melted cheese and sun-dried pesto for $6.95, and The Hub Club – 6-ounce grilled chicken breast with bacon, avocado and a side of ranch dressing.

I couldn't resist the EichelBurger, named after Hanover's Eichelberger Performing Arts Center, formerly Eichelberger High School. The 8-ounce burger topped with bleu cheese, lettuce, tomato and red onion, came with my choice of fries or chips, for $7.95.

The EichelBurger is probably the most popular burger, said Frankie McGinnis, "beloved aunt" of the Hub's owner Alex Slagle. Slagle took ownership in June 2014, but the Hub opened a year before. The Ancho ($7.95) – a 6-ounce blackened grilled chicken breast with bacon and Monterey Jack cheese, is the most popular chicken sandwich, McGinnis said, and The Hub Club is the most popular wrap.

The best part of the Hub's 15 sandwiches is the soft, freshly made bun.

In my basket that night, I also appreciated the crispy, seasoned fries.

If you're not in the mood for a sandwich, the Hub offers salads and wraps, too. For breakfast, an egg and cheese breakfast sandwich is just $2.95; add meat for $1 more.

Specialty coffees range from mochas to chai lattes to frappacinos. Smoothies, hot chocolates and hot teas are also available.

Specials are available daily, plus baked goods like cookies and brownies. (I grabbed a large, chunky chocolate chip cookie, which I admit to eating before my sandwich arrived.)

The cafe embraces the fast-casual dining concept. If you just want to stop in for a coffee, you can be in and out in just a few minutes.

But if you're seeking a full night of inspiration, the Hub offers that, too – from the art on the walls to the performers on stage. It's a place where you feel welcomed to sit and stay, maybe even make new friends. And if you're not inspired by what's inside the cafe, then grab a seat by the massive floor-to-ceiling windows and look outside.

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