Always time for a panini?

As I have come to depend on eating a panini for a quick, cheap and easy meal for lunch...I have made some observations about the odd times panini's are available. I usually find myself going to the small cafe, only known by the sign above the door labeled "Bar". At around noon there is always a wide variety of panini's to choose from. As always, they are fresh, and slightly pressed on the griller to warm the bread. The times that I have been there, it is never busy and there is no wait. However, by about 2:30 in the afternoon, there are only a few, if any, panini's left! It must get busier within the hours of 1:00 and 2:00. In order to keep the panini's fresh and appetizing, they only make a certain amount of sandwich's during the morning. I do find this frustrating at times when I am having a late lunch craving for a panini. Besides being out of panini's, some of the small snack bars even close down during the afternoon. After spending two weeks in Rome, I am starting to become adjusted to this lifestyle, and I have noticed that many small shops and restaurants close down during the early afternoon, until about 5:00 or 6:00 in the evening. Numerous people have told me that the break in the afternoon allows the shop owners to go home and spend time with their family. I am not entirely convinced this is the only reason, but I would like to know more about the daily rituals here in Rome. Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind if you are feeling hungry at noon…you better jump on the opportunity to stop at a snack bar and grab a panini to go, before it’s too late!