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MSM Deli
Categories: Food Beer, Wine & Spirits Restaurants Delis Restaurants Sandwiches Beer, Wine & Spirits, Delis, Sandwiches [Edit]
2220 6th AveTacoma, WA 98403
(253) 272-4814
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 8 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 8 am - 12 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
140 reviews for MSM Deli
Review Highlights
"We call it the 'Magical Sandwich Makers."
(in 14 reviews)
"Word of advice - Call your order in ahead of time."
(in 3 reviews)
"...browse through their amazing beer selection and enjoy it..."
(in 4 reviews)
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140 reviews in English
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Review from Angela B.
Seattle, WA
2/1/2012
Dives are the best! Doesn't look like munch from the outside or from the inside but the food speaks for it's self.
I swear by the Mike's Deluxe (toasted) it's scrup-dilly-osious! The fresh crisp bread sandwiching in layers of meat and cheese is to die for. I literally did the commercial yum after taking my first bite.
I highly recommend calling ahead as the lines get long and the orders are made to order which take some time.
PS: The beer selection is top notch as well! -
Review from Chantelle E.
Tacoma, WA
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
Oh man, my husband is KING of dive's, and this is one of his faves. When he initially brought me here, I was a skeptic... but over the years I have become a fan. This is a no muss, no fuss place. Awesome sandwiches with EVERYTHING you could possibly want, made fresh to order while you wait. I also like that its located in a mini mart-ish kind of place, so you can grab your chips and drink for pretty cheap.
My tip would be, call in your order! This place has quite the fan base and often has a stack of to-go orders they are fulfilling. With only the owner working the register and one person making the food, there can be a bit of a wait (especially in the summer!!).
My only complaint is the patio, wish it was a little more lively and open. -
Review from Roger I.
Tacoma, WA
1/22/2012
The sandwiches are good but the bottled beer selection is why I go the MSM. It's immense! (It makes me a little giddy just thinking about it...)
The workers are very patient with slow thinking, unable-to-decide-from-all-the-yummy-choices customers. They're eager to lead you in the right direction, if you ask.
Not much in the way of ambiance, though, unless white Formica from the 60s is you bag. -
Review from Katy G.
Tacoma, WA
1/2/2012
I'm going with four stars because I'd like to give the overrated sammies a three, but everything else is four star worthy. First off, the good about the sandwiches: They are quite generous with their ingredients. You're not going to get a roll filled with lettuce with a single slice of meat and cheese- they proportion things well and never leave icky dry bread edges. And they are cheap! I don't know why they use the bread they do, though, unless it's made by a relative whose feelings they don't want to hurt. The bread is dry and has no texture, and it really takes away from the sandwiches.
As others have mentioned, their beer selection is very good, and Anna M. is right about their being the only shop in town besides Tacoma Boys that stocks the delicious peach lambic- I think I've looked everywhere! -
Review from Lorraine C.
Tacoma, WA
2/7/2012
Best sandwiches ever! Also nice selection of beverages in the cooler. My advice is to call ahead so its ready when you get there. They can get pretty busy.
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Review from Adrian H.
1/12/2012
My all time favorite deli. When I was at UPS I use to eat at MSM 4-5 times/week...it's that good. I'm partial to the Deli Club and usually opted for the 1/2 soup & 1/2 sandwich deal (their chili is pretty spectacular). It's only $4.99 and portion sizes are big.
Other than my go-to Deli Club, I also enjoyed the Genoa and Mike's Deluxe. Really the bread they use is so tasty you'll be good to go no matter what fixings you choose. And you can't beat the beer selection! Grab one to enjoy with your meal or a sixer for the road.
Don't let the outside appearance deter you from trying this place- I haven't lived near Tacoma for almost 5-years now and I still day dream about MSM. Go- you won't regret it! -
Review from Angelina C.
Tacoma, WA
1/23/2012
Great soup and sandwiches!
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Review from George M.
Imperial Beach, CA
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great sandwiches! Large portions and tasty from beginning to end. There is no such thing as a "value meal" here, but since it's located in a convenience store, it also means that your selection of drinks and chips is WAY better than Subway. So you can grab a great sandwich a beer and Snickers bar for dessert if you want. There's a lot to be said for that. The only reason they don't get a fifth star is because their seating area is fairly run down. But really, you are eating in a convenience store, not a restaurant, so I can't complain too much. Highly recommend eating here.
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Review from Anthony L.
Federal Way, WA
1/6/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Basically this is a clear example of the reviews do not lie! When pulling up to the front you are a little turned out, the deli doesn't exactly have curb appeal. However you are there for the sandwiches not the landscaping, and that's exactly what they deliver! Fast service even during the lunch time rush, and great value for the size of the sandwiches. This will definitely be a regular lunch spot for me. Parking is limited, they have a small lot, and the rest is street parking.
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Review from Leens W.
Bellevue, WA
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
The sandwiches here are addicting. My favorite is the deli club. It's a super chill place where you can get awesome sandwiches for a good price. Also, an amazing beer selection!
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Review from Stephanie S.
Bellingham, WA
12/19/2011
I'm from Tacoma and have been living in a different city for the last 5 years and MSM is ALWAYS a place I want to go to when I'm in town. I always get the Mike's Deluxe and I'm always happy about it. It's truly a hidden T-Town treasure.
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Review from Anna M.
Tacoma, WA
9/6/2011
MSM Deli is the only place in town that makes a deli sandwich that I approve of. I always order the Deli Club (the Mike's Deluxe is good too, just not my favorite) and enjoy it thoroughly, along with it's spear of pickle. The outside seating is perfect for a hot day and their incredible selection of wines and beers is wonderful. They're the only place other than Tacoma Boys that carries Peche Lambic, hopefully they bring in some of the other flavors as well (they carry peach, black cherry, and raspberry).
Definitely come here if you're in want of a good sandwich, but make sure you're ready to wait...sometimes it can take a while for them to get them prepared if it's a busy day. -
Review from jason c.
Lakewood, WA
6/26/2011 6 Check-ins Here
good quick sandwiches. I'm a big fan of the family sized sandwiches. good sides. this place Is a convenient store turned into a sandwich shop. friendly staff. I was intrigued with the simple yet tasty sandwiches. there's nothing wrong with simple as long as you do it right and this place does it right. I do have to say I'm not a huge fan of the speciality sandwich know ad the big mike special. I don't like sprouts so this is not my favorite but the meats are tasty and I love there cheeses.
much better then quiznos and subway but I still like my jimmy johns. -
Review from Ryan G.
MSM = Magical Sandwich Makers and that is an under statement. The catch of the day is fresh and filling. Mike's Deluxe is perfection all around. If you are going during lunch time it is recommended to call your order ahead or plan on waiting 30-45 minutes.
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Review from Tera W.
Tacoma, WA
11/14/2011
I used to live right by MSM, and I've had a variety of experiences. Overall though, 4 stars. I've tried calling ahead, and that definitely cuts down on the wait time, but generally, my order gets mangled over the phone. (In their defense, I have a very shitty cell phone.) My standard sandwich is a veggie on wheat, no pickles, no cucumber with pepper jack and smoked cheddar. Top notch.
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Review from Jake F.
Tacoma, WA
Updated - 1/1/2012
Ok.... Due to my son, I gave MSM another chance. I ordered the seafood sandwich this time and it was AMAZING! My son ordered the Mike's Deluxe, said it was the best sandwich ever! Both of us could not finish the whole sandwiches because they were so filling :) but they were finished by the end of the day!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/13/2011
I was extremely super stoked to try this place!! What a disappointment :( I ordered the Ruben on… Read more »
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Review from Corianne B.
Puyallup, WA
4/27/2011
Best sandwiches in the world - hands down. DELI CLUB is my favorite, the team is FAST and EFFICIENT and you can buy a side/soda/drink of your choice at the convenience store that the Deli is located inside of, while you wait a few min for you meal. Perfect.
Honestly - the only thing that is a little unsettling is the fact that there's literally been like 344,948 cars drive thru the front of the building (ok, not really... maybe like 2)... but that's just Tacoma for ya! :) It's a total dive, but people from all over come to pick up a sandwich from MSM, and I have YET to hear from anyone who felt like they didn't get their $$ worth. Totally worth the risk of being mowed down by a negligent driver. YUM. -
Review from Narnia P.
Seattle, WA
2/26/2011
MSM stands for Magical Sandwich Makers. It is a T-Town staple and people swear by this place.
The wait time can be pretty ridiculous. There was only one person making sandwiches last night. Perhaps it was just poor planning on our part. I would recommend calling ahead.
The sandwiches were good, but I don't know if I would say "magical." The bread was dry and just plain white, which made the sandwich overall taste dry.
I wanted them to sub in wheat bread, but they wouldn't do substitutions. They also did not have green peppers to add as a veggie on the sub. This is a take it or leave it sort of place.
Both my partner and I agreed there was not a lot of meat on the sandwich, especially given we had ordered the specialty ones that advertised coming with multiple kinds of meat.
Again, overall they tasted good, but the bad bread and unwillingness to do substitutions was a let down. Perhaps it was because we were there at a time when the place was packed with customers or I had high expectations from all the amazing reviews on yelp. I felt like if I went to the grocery store and bought the ingredients, I could have made a better sandwich at home. And given the wait time, I probably could have done it in the same amount of time. -
Review from Betsy T.
5/1/2011
MSM is just so Tacoma to me. I drove past it without realizing there was food inside for years until someone gave me the address. Even then I drove past it a few times before I realized it was the place. It looks like a hole-in-the-wall on the outside and a truck stop off of Route 66 on the inside. During lunch-hour it gets so packed with people ordering their sandwiches you can barely find a dusty can of Campbell's to crouch next to.
That said, the sandwiches are huge and $6.50 you can eat for two meals. They're also pretty tasty sandwiches. Not blow-my-mind tasty, but I'm-happy-with-the-money-I-paid tasty. -
Review from Stephanie H.
Tacoma, WA
6/26/2011
A+++
Great sandos here! Call your order in on the weekends because they get busy! Probably because they're the best place to get a sandwich next to Viafore's. My personal fav is the Mike's Deluxe! But really all of them are good French Dip..yes please :)
And holy microbrews! Wanna try something you've never heard of or seen? Yea they have it. MSM is absolutely the best and that's been my vote for the past 10 yrs.!
Thanks MSM for 10+ yrs of hevanly sandos! -
Review from Bruce W.
Westminster, CA
6/7/2011
On vacation and went here to get a dinner sandwich so ordered up a french dip. It took a while for them to make the sandwich but it gave me time to browse the beer section which has a lot to choose from.
This place is a sandwich/liquor store which works out good.
Finally got back to the house to the sandwich was good but I'm sure it would have been better if it was hot. Based on the bite I had of the philly cheese steak I think that is the way to go. -
Review from Rebecca R.
Seattle, WA
2/28/2011
I love divey joints and this one takes the cake!
Mostly a low end convience store with your general array of chips and sodas, but my god the sandwhiches.
Luckily when we arrived there were not more than 4 people in front on us in line. Which with a team of three people making sandwiches in the back, it made the wait to order about 7 minutes and the wait to get our food about 15. Not bad considering what I had read before and it was 12 on a Saturday! So I was expecting it to be packed.
Amazing sandwiches! Served with yummy deli pickles (which were greedily munched on before we even reached home) these subs are fantasic. We got the 13 inch italian, and a lamb gyro and the gyro was one of the best I had ever had!
I barely made it through my part of the 13 inch italian, it was so stuffed with fixings. I would definitely reccomend this place to anyone! -
Review from Floyd A.
Tacoma, WA
9/30/2011
MSM has an incredible beer selection for an unassuming convenience store, but I have no idea what the hype over its sandwiches is about. I'm pretty sure I bought the Mike's Deluxe; the bread, the vegetables, and the meat were all bland, mass manufactured, and completely flavorless. There was absolutely nothing special about my mayonnaise-drenched, colorless (but large and cheap) sandwich. I brought my friend from Providence and talked the place up because of all the five star Yelp reviews, but he was disappointed and complained that it was nothing close to the quality of east coast subs. I've never had a sub on the east coast, but I'd go to a Subway before coming here again, unless I were shopping for beer of course.
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Review from Jenny A.
Tacoma, WA
5/18/2011
The sandwiches are awesome! My favorite is the deli club. Delicious. The hoagie bread along with the toppings are always fresh. I love that they use shredded lettuce.
It's true. You are not going to this place to enjoy the atmosphere. Order it to go. If possible, call in the order. Long waits at lunch and dinner. On the bright side, the "people watching" is great. The customer base ranges from police, to (prior or soon to be) convicts, to the ultra bizarre, to people like me (super average, never stand out). We share at least one thing in common... we love MSM sandwiches! -
Review from Thomas P.
Tacoma, WA
6/18/2011
I went here because of the great reviews on Yelp and was very very disappointed. I got the veggie on sourdough and the person I was with got the pastrami on rye. The fillings were pretty good on both but the bread was awful. Both of them had the taste, texture, and look of Wonder Bread. I didn't even know it was possible to buy sourdough like that. With the awful bread our sandwiches just fell apart and got soggy. I could be wrong, but it looks like they don't even have a toaster to help that situation out.
The place got 2 stars instead of 1 from me because of the awesome beer selection. They have tons of single bottles to chose from out of their fridge. From all over the world. I have gone back for the beer, just not the sandwiches. -
Review from Trina C.
Federal Way, WA
10/2/2011
Fantastic sandwiches in a place you wouldn't expect. I always get the roast beef / French dip (I think?). Normally I like my sandwiches with a little veggies in em but this does the trick. Anyway, it's weird to say that these are magical sandwiches, but it's true. Delicious.
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Review from Justin H.
8/17/2011
I really like going here. The sandwiches have been consistently good, only one time have I had a bad experience with the bread being too dry and hard. But all of the other times, it has been great. Priced well and service was fast. Its a complete hole in the wall so don't judge it from the appearance.
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Review from Cheryl M.
Portland, OR
5/16/2011
EXCELLENT FOOD!
Exterior looks like a "lotto and cigarettes" deli, but this could not be further from the truth.
Be sure to check on line and/or ask for the full menu. "Menu board" in the shop does not represent all available sandwich options.
DELICIOUS!
Call Ahead and place your order if you are pressed for time, this deli is busy during lunch rush, rightfully so. -
Review from Danielle F.
Seattle, WA
3/4/2011
Had some errands to run in Tacoma today. My friend warned me this was no more than a little kwiki mart with a deli ( that's exactlly what it is). They are known for their sandwiches though.
Based on the reviews I looked through I couldn't decide on a sandwich so I ordered a french dip which and a deli club ( plus ham) the french dip wasn't bad at all but Rizzos (RIP) was way better in my mind. MSM's was toasted and had some swiss cheese on it. It was served dry and the meat could have been a little juicier for me. The au jus was good.
The deli club was written about below and they talked about the amazing avacodo spread. I saw some green spread stuff but there wasn't a ton of it.
The lines for this place were long it probably took 10-15 minutes to get my sandwich and when I ordered there was only a few girls in line in front of me. As I waited a good 10 people shoed up to order and pick up more sandwiches.
I liked this place and it was reasonable ( both sandwiches which for me will be two meals were 13 bucks). I think that Tubs in Seattle is equally as good. I'd come back if I were in Tacoma and if you're there you should check it out. -
Review from Emerson S.
Puyallup, WA
MSM is Tacoma's hidden gem and my favorite deli-style sandwich shop, period.
"Magical Sandwich Makers" is a dirty little convenience store with a magical sandwich shop inside (pun intended). MSM is also known for their killer beer selection... I've read reviews claiming it has thee best bottled beer selection in Tacoma. That's just awesome, because beer with sandwiches = winning combo.
I make my way to MSM about once a month and every time I order the Mike's Deluxe. It's only $6.50 and it's a really big sandwich! Blows Subway's $5 footlong out of the water (not only by value, but by taste). MSM brings the magic of New York style deli to the heart of Tacoma on 6th Ave.
I read some of the other reviews and have come to the conclusion that their sandwiches are probably hit-or-miss. Most of the bad reviews seem to revolve around someone ordering the Reuben... I order the Mike's Deluxe every time and have not been let down.
If you can get pass the less-than-desirable atmosphere (I consider it just part of the MSM experience) then you're in for a real treat if you're hungry for a fresh, delicious deli sandwich.Listed in: My Favorite Restaurants
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Review from Chet F.
1/17/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Favorite sammy joint in Tacoma. This is what I live for, a little hidden divey gem in some random gas stationish haunt.
This is East Coast sandies doin' it up right. I have tried a couple now, and they have yet to disappoint. Their sandwiches are large, set at a great price with good customer service and speedy preparation. You can tell that they care about the product they are putting out. Just not making a dollar, but making a damn good sandwich while doing it!
I buying a t-shirt on my next stop! -
Review from Kari V.
Fairfax, VA
9/2/2011
I had the mikes deluxe because everyone was raving about it, and it was great. Huge portion, what a deal for 6.50. My boyfriend got the French dip which I liked even more. Yum
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Review from C C.
1/6/2011
Awesome!!! Magical Sandwich Makers (MSM) has the best sandwiches and subs ever!!! So so so good!
Not much to look at and there is just the bare minimum as far as seating is concerned. But none of that matters. The sandwiches are huge and stacked high. All of them are amazing!!
It always seems to be busy, there is usually a little wait, but they have great customer service. AND many different types of unusual beer.
YUM YUM YUM YUM ..... I wish I lived in Tacoma just for MSM! -
Review from Misty M.
Tacoma, WA
8/27/2010
This place is the first one I've had that tops my favorite sandwich shop ever. Good thing I live a short hop away? Or not...
However, it IS a good thing that when I go here, it doesn't hurt my wallet. Mike's Deluxe seems to be the crowd favorite here, and for good reason: it's facking delicious!
The beer selection is crazy amazing too, and who cares about the ambiance for dine in... go down the street and eat it in the park when it's nice out! It's a sandwich for crying out loud, picnic food! -
Review from Kevin F.
Seattle, WA
8/10/2011
Hands down the best sandwich shop in Washington, maybe the west coast. Delicious bread, fresh ingredients, low prices. Truly magical. And they sell beer. A huge selection, which you can drink on site.
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Review from Jess C.
Tacoma, WA
7/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Mike's Deluxe was amazing!! Fresh ingredients, and a lot of flavors. Can't wait to go back and try their other sandwiches !! The only complaint I have is their parking..sometimes hard to get a spot. Call & order ahead of time and you'll be in n out quickly!!
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Review from PeePee B.
Gig Harbor, WA
8/28/2010
I really like this place for a few reasons.
the sandwiches are good and if you're crazy you'll also get a microbrew in a paper bag to go because they've got a whole damn wall of the things and they're the perfect pairing for a nice sandwich.
the people watching is always awesome. if you're a single lady and have a thing for dudes in uniform this is your spot. I'll also admit (am I the only one?) that I love to see which guy walks up to the counter when they yell "9 inch american!" -
Review from Jodie W.
Seattle, WA
12/20/2010
MSM is consistently fresh and delicious! Mikes Deluxe or the Club will rock your sandwich seeking world. I have never been disappointed with this place during the 15 years that I have frequented it.
Great beer selection (sold as singles for a reasonable price)! -
Review from Laura S.
Spanaway, WA
7/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Mike's Deluxe is fabulous! Mmmmmm
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Review from Emmi B.
San Francisco, CA
12/15/2010
Msm is one of the very few things I miss about Tacoma when I'm away. The sandwiches are stacked high and extremely reasonably priced. I can never finish a whole order and always guard my seconds with my life - they are THAT good! I have seen a few fights break out over a stolen Mike's Deluxe even.
Aside from the great sandwiches they have an amazing selection of beer, including some very hard to find imports. I once asked about a specific beer I wanted to get my dad that I had been having trouble finding. The employee not only double checked their back room but also offered to order it for me and have it there in a few days!
If the line is long - just grab a brew and take a seat in their bigger eating area, I promise it is worth the wait!
