In the Mood / Ham and Cheese

Good spots to order a takeout version of America’s No. 1 entree:

* Say Cheese: At this Silver Lake cheese store, traditionalists will order the Deli Ham with cheddar, lettuce, tomato and mustard on an onion pocket. Sophisticates will favor Le Parisien: ham and Brie on a croissant with capers and mustard. And true gastronomes will opt for the Italiano, with prosciutto, Parmigiano, arugula and olive oil on a ba^tard loaf. ($6.25, $6.75, $7.95, respectively.) Say Cheese, 2800 Hyperion Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 665-0545.

* Pietro’s: Juicy sub-style sandwiches come on a soft white or wheat Italian roll with your choice of Hormel ham or capicollo, provolone cheese, lettuce, cheese, mayonnaise, pepperoncini and Italian dressing. ($4.35 small, $5.45 large.) Pietro’s, 920 N. Lake St., Pasadena, (818) 791-1826.

* Flora Kitchen: For an elegant ham and cheese, try this upscale takeout counter’s prosciutto with sun-dried tomatoes, arugula, pesto and Swiss on a baguette. ($7.95 with a side salad.) Flora Kitchen, 460 La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 931-9900.

* Wally’s: Boar’s Head ham is served on a La Brea rustique roll with your choice of five kinds of cheese, plus lettuce, tomato, mustard, mayonnaise and onion (on request). Pickles and peppers on the side. ($6.35.) Wally’s, 2107 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 475-0606.

* Honeybaked Ham: All sandwiches start with 1/3 pound of ham. You then choose squaw, sourdough, pesto, cheddar or rye bread and add Swiss, cheddar or smoked Gouda cheese, all melted. Fixings include lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, mild chilis, bell peppers, hard-boiled eggs and olives. Try the flavored mayonnaises and mustards, the mesquite barbecue sauce and the corn relish. Hawaiian-style ham and cheese comes with pineapple ginger chutney. (All sandwiches $4.) Honeybaked Ham, 300 N. La Brea, Los Angeles, (310) 475-0606. Other locations include Glendale, Pasadena, Culver City, Santa Monica, Toluca Lake, West Covina.

* Philippe the Original: Have a ham and cheese French dip at this 89-year-old landmark. Slather on the famous sinus-corroding hot mustard and wash it down with a 9-cent cup of coffee. (Ham sandwich, $3.75; American, Swiss or Jack cheese, 30 cents extra; blue cheese, 60 cents extra.) Philippe the Original, 1001 N. Alameda St., Chinatown, (213) 628-3781.

* Auntie Em’s: Remember the plain old ham and cheese Mom packed in your lunch box? It’s here at this small soup ‘n’ sandwich store. Tavern-style ham is served on sourdough, whole wheat, rye or a French roll with mayonnaise, mustard, lettuce, tomato and both Swiss and American cheese. All sandwiches come with a free dessert. ($3.85 small, $4.35 large.) Auntie Em’s, 4616 Eagle Rock Blvd., Eagle Rock, (213) 255-0800.