'Best Of' Sandwich Winner: Busy Bee Bakery

In Melrose Patch's , 258 people voted for what they believed to be the best place in the city to get a sandwich. 

And the winner is ... ! 

The bakery, coffee and tea shop received 71 votes (27 percent of the ballot) and several laudatory comments and reviews. 

Fresh Bread and Fillings

Owner Elin Agustsson, who runs the cafe with her husband, George Peterson, said in a phone interview that she was excited to have won the contest. Thomas Calvert, who makes all the sandwiches, she said, would be happy to hear the news. 

And then the man himself got on the line. 

Calvert said that because Busy Bee Bakery bakes loaves of bread and slices the fillings just for the day's menu, the caprese panini (which include homemade pesto) and the chicken salad sandwiches taste particularly fresh.

"There’s a lot that goes into these sandwiches," he said.  

But he also relies on his culinary skill and stomach to construct them. 

"I just make sure every time I make a sandwich that I make it as if I’m going to be eating it," he said. "I make sure proportions are correct and also that it looks good. Obviously you eat with your eyes first." 

Honorable Mentions 

 received 72 votes, including 48 overnight one night this week, 27 percent of the total number of votes cast. But because Patch Editor Daniel DeMaina considered the comments and reviews written by readers, those comments tipped the scales in Busy Bee Bakery's favor. 

also seems to have a considerable following of sandwich lovers, and the restaurant received 38 votes (14 percent of the ballot) and a number of positive comments.

Next week, we'll poll you to discover the best dentists in Melrose. Voting begins Monday morning and lasts until 9 a.m. on Friday.