Beyond PB

A sandwich, as that old commercial says, is just a sandwich. But a sandwich from a bakery is something else, because you know the bread’ll be great. And then, of course, there’s dessert.

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Susina Bakery & Cafe

Susina might be best known for its delicious cookies and cakes. But it also does terrific panini sandwiches on house-made focaccia. Try the smoked turkey with white Cheddar cheese and spicy mayo, the decadent Brie and ripe pear, or prosciutto with fresh mozzarella and roasted peppers.

* Sandwiches, $7; 7122 Beverly Blvd., L.A.; (323) 934-7900.

EuroPane

Sumi Chang’s gem of a bakery, just east of Old Town Pasadena, offers a dozen or so sandwiches on fresh-baked bread. Try the open-faced egg salad sandwich accented with tomato pesto, or the satisfying meatloaf made with beef, lamb and veal and topped with caramelized onions.

* Egg salad sandwich, $6.35; meatloaf, $8; 950 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; (626) 577-1828.

Jin Patisserie

What makes the chicken salad and egg salad at this charming garden spot so delicious? Chef-owner Kristy Choo uses mayonnaise and butter. Both sumptuous salads are available on olive, seven grain or crustless white bread, and are offered as part of a set lunch. The lunch also includes a small green salad and one of Choo’s elegant desserts. This week it’s a green tea mousse with red bean cake.

* Set lunch, $12; 1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice; (310) 399-8801.

Sweet Lady Jane

Fresh roasted turkey breast, Gruyere cheese with roasted vegetables, and a fine curried chicken salad made with lots of tender white meat chicken and sweet raisins are among the sandwich choices at this bakery. You can also get half a sandwich with a bowl of soup, maybe potato leek or carrot ginger, and save room for the triple berry cake.

* Sandwiches, $8; half-sandwich and soup, $8; 8360 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; (323) 653-7145.

La Brea Bakery

This iconic Los Angeles bakery offers about a dozen sandwiches every day. Some, like the popular tuna salad on potato dill bread, are served cold, ready to go in the deli case; others are grilled. There’s also a daily special, including a sandwich that pairs marinated artichokes with ricotta cheese, arugula and pesto on olive bread.

* Tuna sandwich, $6.50; artichoke-ricotta special, $6.50; 624 S. La Brea Ave., L.A.; (323) 939-6813.

-- Leslee Komaiko