(Image: HoneyHole Sandwiches)

(Image: HoneyHole Sandwiches)

Capitol Hill favorite HoneyHole Sandwiches is back on stable ground and continuing its 25-year legacy on E Pike. After a tumultuous year, this iteration of HoneyHole rock-solid, with new ownership and a continued commitment to “making great toasted sandwiches with house smoked meats and vegan options for the neighborhood to enjoy,” said owner Travis Rosenthal.

The good news comes a year after a sale put the legendary sandwich shop in an inexperienced owner’s hands. Last summer’s tumult was settled by the arrival of Rosenthal and his Seattle restaurant group arriving on a deal earlier this year to acquire and revive HoneyHole.

Rosenthal, who has grown a family of popular Capitol Hill and Seattle food and drink venues including E Pike rum bar Rumba and its post-Tiki sibling Inside Passage, has taken over and righted the HoneyHole ship.

Rosenthal has been a fan of HoneyHole for as long as he’s been a Capitol Hill business owner, in 2006 when he bought Tango Restaurant, beginning his food and drink entrepreneurship which eventually became Pike Street Hospitality Group. When HoneyHole shut its doors after a long series of management issues, Rosenthal was eager to get it reopened.

“[HoneyHole] has always had great sandwiches and a loyal following so it didn’t seem right to have it go out of business because of recent owner mismanagement,” said Rosenthal. His goals are straightforward: “to keep the service and product consistency as high as possible while ensuring it is a welcoming environment for our staff and guests.”

In reviving HoneyHole, Rosenthal’s team had a lot of enthusiasm to work with. HoneyHole’s social media post announcing their reopening was met with dozens of comments from eager customers—“No effing way. I’m going to be the girl crying in your doorway,” said one tearfullly happy user.

“Guests immediately came back and many are grateful they can grab their favorite HoneyHole sandwich again,” according to Rosenthal.

Keeping the nostalgia alive for longtime fans of the shop, HoneyHole offers most of the old favorites, crafted by one of the shop’s original chefs, Michael Fernandez. Other changes are small and cater to the neighborhood. A new vegetarian option, Va Va Shroom, has been added to the menu, vegan options remain, and the Club Tasty has been permanently renamed Pink Pony Club, “after Chappell Roan rocked the Block Party last month,” said Rosenthal.

Thomas (Image: HoneyHole Sandwiches)

Now that they’ve reopened their doors, HoneyHole is eager to be reconnected to the community, partnering with businesses, local artists, and implementing philanthropic programming. Maintaining their “fun, artsy, eclectic” atmosphere, HoneyHole purchased and displayed art by local artist Tara Thomas (@taraeatsglue), said Rosenthal. On Thursday, September 26th, 50% of their sales will be donated to Lifelong Dining Out for Life, a fundraiser to support people living with HIV.

Looking forward, there are plans to experiment with a “Sandwich of the Month” and expand their catering program. That said, the HoneyHole team isn’t looking to change much—they want to honor the legacy of the shop and serve great sandwiches.

“We are truly just trying to serve great sandwiches in a welcoming environment and give back to the community when we can,” said Rosenthal.

HoneyHole is a very different environment from the one that led to some of the previous drama. Rosenthal said HoneyHole team’s “great positive energy” is one of the best aspects of his new role at the sandwich shop. “The goal is for employees to be having fun and proud of where they work,” said Rosenthal.

HoneyHole Sandwiches is located at 703 E Pike. Learn more at honeyholeseattle.com.

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