Meat-free sandwiches are making a name for themselves.

 "I believe that all anyone really wants in this life is to sit in peace and eat a sandwich."

So go the wise words of 30 Rock’s Liz Lemon, words that clearly resonate. You would be hard-pressed (even in the smallest of towns) to not find a sandwich – BLT, PB&J, po’ boy, grilled cheese, lobster roll, Philly cheesesteak, club, sub… or is that a hoagie or hero? These are hearty, sometimes bloated favorites.

A couple months ago, I encountered a giant and filling vegetarian sandwich from Compagno’s, packed with sprouts, cucumber and avocado. It started me on a quest to find veggie options on the verge of joining the sandwich pantheon.

I found my way to Mundos Cafe – a promising start since they have a menu section dedicated solely to vegetarians. Caught between the grilled eggplant or Fire Bell roasted red pepper sandwich (both $6.99), I ordered the former. Eggplant is almost a vegetarian sandwich cliche, but with a request to add peppers, it was a good choice: A thick cushion of melty cheese oozed from the big, soft ciabatta roll. The peppers gave it some kick.

Marina’s Wild Thyme Deli (relocating to Salinas next month, after 16 years) provides thoughtful vegetable-oriented plates, and its Veggie Panino ($8.50) is lunchtime’s star. A huge toasty sandwich comes packed with long slices of charred portobello mushroom and eggplant. With zucchini, tomato and red onion, it is a fresh and earthy wonder in between herb goat cheese and sun-dried tomato pesto.

A very creative veggie sandwich, the VW ($6.95) found at Bakery Station in Salinas, turns the tables on tired vegetarian menus. The unique blend of ingredients sounds improbable but is addictive: shredded carrots, pickled jalapeños, thin slices of apple, sprouts, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, onions and cilantro aioli, all piled atop the bakery’s outstanding whole wheat bread. The sweetness of the carrots combines nicely with the bite of the peppers, the tartness of the apple and the nutty flavor of the cheese. This is a sandwich you talk about with friends, acquaintances – hell, perhaps even a stranger or two.

Although this California chain can’t be compared to smaller mom-and-pop stops, it must be mentioned that Ike’s Love and Sandwiches has the longest list of vegetarian (and vegan) subs. I’ve never eaten a veggie sandwich there that isn’t satisfying, my favorite being the Meatless Mike ($9.99) with marinara on vegan meatballs and cheese. For a top hitter that’s fake-meat-free, try the ALF ($8.98) with avocado, cream cheese, cucumbers and red pepper pesto.

Other mentionables include the classic veggie ($9.99) from Boardwalk Sub Shop (Monterey and Salinas) and the affordable vegetarian option ($6.99) from LaSala’s Bi-Rite Market and Deli.

Pam Marino contributed to this report.

• MUNDOS 2233 N. Fremont St., Monterey. 10am-5pm daily. 656-9244,mundoscafemonterey.com
• WILD THYME DELI 445 Reservation Road, Marina. 10am-4pm, through June 29. 884-2414,wildthymedeli.com
• BAKERY STATION 202 Monterey St., Salinas. 6am-4pm daily. 783-1140,thebakerystationsalinas.com
• IKE’S LOVE AND SANDWICHES 570 Munras Ave, Suite 70, Monterey. 10:30am-7pm daily. 643-0900, ikesloveandsandwiches.com.