The Sandwiches At This Washington Deli Are So Huge Half Ends Up As Tomorrow’s Lunch
Butcher paper, a warm loaf of French bread, and a sandwich so wide you need two hands just to lift it. That is the scene waiting at a busy little counter in Washington where most people walk out planning two meals instead of one.
It is the kind of place that stretches a lunch budget without trying, and locals have been lining up for decades. Come hungry, bring patience, and maybe clear a spot in the fridge.
A Sixth Avenue Sandwich Landmark
Drive along 6th Ave in Tacoma and you will spot a modest storefront at 2220 that locals treat like a neighborhood institution. MSM Deli is an old-school sandwich shop, the kind of spot where the menu board matters more than the decor.
Plenty of Tacoma folks call it a 6th Ave staple, and that description fits. The shop has been part of the area long enough that some people connect it with growing up nearby, and at least one newcomer admitted the deli was part of the reason they moved to town.
That is a lot of love for a sandwich counter.
What pulls people in is simple. The sandwiches are built on big French bread rolls, stuffed with generous meat, cheese, and crunchy vegetables, then wrapped tight in butcher paper for the road.
Many customers eat half and save the rest for later.
The deli sits in a lively stretch of the city, close enough to other local shops that neighboring businesses happily send hungry visitors its way. For anyone exploring Tacoma on a budget, this is an easy stop that feels genuinely local rather than polished or trendy.
Roots Going Back to 1983
Ever wonder what the letters stand for? Regulars have a fond nickname for the crew behind the counter: the Magical Sandwich Makers.
Whether or not that is official, the phrase has stuck, and it says a lot about how people feel about the place.
The deli’s web address carries the number 1983, a clue to just how long this counter has been feeding Tacoma. Over those years it has built the kind of reputation that travels by word of mouth.
Longtime customers talk about going for years and getting the same satisfying result nearly every time.
There is a nostalgic quality to the whole experience. Walking in feels classic, with racks of chips and coolers of drinks lining the space.
Nothing about it tries to be modern or flashy, and that is exactly the appeal.
For families who enjoy classic Americana, a stop here feels a bit like stepping into an older version of Washington lunch culture. Think paper-wrapped subs, a busy counter, and a name that locals say with a grin.
It is history you can eat, one oversized roll at a time.
Portions Built for Two Meals
Size is the headline here, and the numbers tell the story. Sandwiches come in 6 inch, 9 inch, and 13 inch lengths, but the real surprise is the width.
These rolls are thick, and the fillings are piled high.
Customers regularly say a single 6 inch is enough for two meals, especially with a bag of chips on the side. The 9 inch is often described as big but doable if you arrive truly hungry.
The 13 inch? People call it massive, easily two meals and maybe more.
That makes the deli a smart pick for anyone watching their spending. With prices generally landing in the $10 to $20 range per person, splitting one sandwich into lunch today and lunch tomorrow can stretch your dollars nicely.
Retirees and families alike may find that one order covers more ground than expected.
A friendly tip for first-timers: order smaller than you think. One regular joked about only getting through half of a 9 inch in one sitting and still feeling completely satisfied.
Bring a cooler bag or plan to head home soon after, because that second half deserves a proper spot in the fridge.
Mike’s Deluxe and the House Favorites
Ask folks waiting in line what to order and there is a good chance you will hear the same answer: the Mike’s. It sits right at the top of the menu, and the Mike’s Deluxe in particular earns plenty of praise.
Fans describe a combination of meats, cheese, mayo, and bread that comes together in a way that feels bigger than the sum of its parts. Ham and turkey form the base, and a layer of sprouts adds a fresh crunch you do not find at every sandwich chain.
Some visitors find it more straightforward than they expected, so it helps to know it leans classic rather than fancy.
Beyond the Mike’s, the Italian gets called delectable, and the deli club is a popular pairing for families splitting orders. Cold sandwiches arrive packed with protein and plenty of crisp vegetables.
Here is a handy trick if you save half for later. At least one customer lightly toasted the second half the next day and found it even better.
That small step can turn tomorrow’s leftover into something that tastes freshly made, which is a pretty great bonus for a single purchase.
Hot Subs That Get Gooey
Cold cuts get most of the attention, yet the hot side of the menu has its own loyal following. Think warm, melty, and hearty, the sort of sandwich that feels right on a drizzly Puget Sound afternoon.
The French dip comes up often among fans, praised for its great bread, meat, and cheese. The Cuban is another standout that couples and friends like to order side by side.
Then there is the Philly cheesesteak, a favorite for anyone who wants something rich and filling after a long morning.
Gyros and BLTs also show up on the menu, which gives picky eaters or mixed groups some room to choose. Hot sandwiches here are described as gooey and satisfying, so napkins are not optional.
Because these are served warm, they tend to shine most when eaten fresh. If you are planning to stash half for tomorrow, a quick warm-up in the oven or toaster oven can bring back that just-made feeling.
Families heading out for a day of exploring Tacoma may want one hot and one cold sandwich, eating the hot one first and saving the cold one for later.
Veggie Stacks and Fresh Crunch
Vegetarians are not an afterthought at this counter. The veggie sandwich gets real respect, and even a 6 inch arrives surprisingly large.
One first-time visitor described theirs as stuffed full of sprouts, lettuce, onion, tomato, avocado, mayo, pickles, and cucumber, finished with cheese. That is a lot of garden on one roll.
The sprouts in particular are a signature touch that shows up across many sandwiches, and plenty of people love them.
Customization is welcome too. Staff will adjust sandwiches to your liking, so swapping ingredients or skipping something is usually no trouble.
That flexibility helps when feeding kids or anyone with strong opinions about onions.
Freshness is a recurring theme. Customers mention ingredients that taste crisp and high quality, with a wide variety of combinations to try.
A few folks wish for thinner meat slices or more leafy green choices beyond shredded lettuce, so tastes do vary.
For budget-minded eaters, a veggie sub can be an easy way to get a full, fresh meal for a fair price. Pair it with a bag of chips and you may not need another stop until dinner.
Cookies, Chips, and the Grab-and-Go Aisle
Save a little room, because the cookies might steal the show. Cookies come up again and again in conversations about MSM, and people use words like amazing when describing them.
They make a sweet ending to a heavy sandwich or a thoughtful treat to bring home for the kids. Grabbing a couple while you wait is a small splurge that feels well worth it.
Then there is the chip selection. Shelves are loaded with options, including big bags that are perfect for sharing on a picnic or road trip.
Visitors often point out how many choices there are, which makes it easy to build a full meal in one stop.
Drinks get similar attention. Coolers hold a wide range of bottled drinks at regular prices, a nice change from places that mark everything up.
For families trying to feed several people without overspending, that matters.
Everything sits right at your fingertips while your order is being made. So if you are facing a wait, wandering the aisles and picking out snacks can make the time pass faster.
Just be careful, because those cookies have a way of disappearing before you reach the car.
The Back-Room Cafeteria Vibe
Many first-timers never realize there is a place to sit. Behind the busy counter is a back room that is easy to miss, set up with small tables for anyone who wants to eat on the spot.
It is nothing fancy, and that is part of its charm. Some visitors say it reminds them of a school cafeteria, which feels oddly cozy for a grown-up lunch.
Little tables fill the space, and the walls are decorated with pictures of local places, a nice nod to Tacoma pride.
Space can be tight, though, especially at peak times. Most customers take their sandwiches to go, and the deli seems to lean that way naturally.
The butcher paper wrapping makes these subs ideal for eating on a tailgate, a park bench, or somewhere along the road.
The atmosphere up front is bustling and busy, with a working-class Tacoma feel that regulars love. It is unpretentious, straightforward, and focused on the food.
If you prefer calm dining, plan a picnic instead. Wright Park or a Puget Sound viewpoint could make a lovely backdrop for a paper-wrapped lunch.
Wait Times and the Call-Ahead Strategy
Patience is part of the recipe. Wait time is one of the most talked-about topics at MSM, and a 25 to 30 minute wait is pretty common, sometimes longer during the lunch rush.
Staff usually let you know up front how long it will take, which helps with planning. Still, walk-ins should expect to linger.
Some people find the wait well worth it, while others feel it can drag, especially when the shop is swamped.
The smartest move is calling ahead. Regulars strongly recommend it, particularly around lunchtime.
One family ordered right at opening and had their food ready by noon, so early planning really pays off.
Fair warning: the phone line can be tricky. Busy signals happen, and customers sometimes need to try several times before getting through.
Service experiences also vary, with many describing friendly workers and others noting the crew can seem stretched thin on packed days.
A simple game plan helps. Call early, keep trying if the line is busy, and give yourself a flexible window.
Treat the wait as part of the adventure, and browse the chips while those sandwich makers work their magic.
Hours, Prices, and Parking Basics
Good news for weekend planners: the deli keeps the same schedule every day of the week. Current hours run from 10 AM to 7 PM, Sunday through Saturday.
Some signage and older descriptions mention later hours, and a few customers have noticed hours can be inconsistent. Checking before you go is a smart habit, especially if you are driving in from farther away like Olympia or Seattle.
Prices generally fall between $10 and $20 per person. Given how many people split one sandwich into two meals, the value can feel even better than the price tag suggests.
Regular-priced drinks and big chip bags keep the extras reasonable too.
Parking is another plus. The shop has a decent-sized lot, and visitors say finding a space is usually not hard, even when the counter is slammed.
That makes it easy for families with little ones or older visitors who prefer not to hunt for street parking.
Find it at 2220 6th Ave in Tacoma. Bread supplies occasionally run low on very busy holidays, so earlier visits tend to offer the best selection.
Aim for late morning and you will likely be in good shape.
A Worthy Stop for Hungry Explorers
So, should MSM Deli go on your Tacoma to-do list? For anyone who loves a hearty sandwich that stretches across two meals, the answer leans toward yes.
Opinions are not universal. Some visitors find certain sandwiches more ordinary than the hype, and the waits can test anyone’s patience.
Service experiences range from warm and helpful to rushed on hectic days. Going in with realistic expectations helps.
Still, the big picture is hard to ignore. Generous portions, fresh ingredients, great bread, beloved cookies, and a classic neighborhood feel have kept people coming back for decades.
It is the kind of place Tacoma folks recommend to friends, and nearby shops point visitors toward it too.
For budget-conscious families and retirees, the value may be the biggest draw. One sandwich can easily become lunch today and lunch tomorrow, which could save a little money on your next outing.
Pair it with a stroll through the Sixth Avenue neighborhood or a picnic by the water, and you have an easy, affordable Washington weekend plan. Call ahead, come hungry, and clear some space in the fridge.