Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there was a young girl named Lily. She lived with her parents in a small cottage nestled in a lush green valley. Lily had always been drawn to stories of magic and adventure, and she dreamt of one day embarking on her very own magical tale. One day, while exploring the nearby forest, Lily stumbled upon a mysterious old book hidden beneath a bed of wildflowers. The book seemed to call out to her, and she couldn't resist its enchanting pull. As she opened the book, a brilliant light burst forth, engulfing Lily in a warm embrace.
The best sandwich I have ever had. Such good people that work there I love this place.
You know their sandwiches are good when my 11 year old and my 14 year old daughters both look forward to going there especially whenever we mention the name MSM Deli. MSM magic sandwich makers is a Tacoma Institution and should be on your go-to list of places when you visit Tacoma or you have family in from out of town.
As she opened the book, a brilliant light burst forth, engulfing Lily in a warm embrace. In that moment, she knew that her magical tale was about to begin. As she delved deeper into the pages of the book, Lily discovered a world unlike any she had ever imagined.
MSM Deli
It is a goal of this blog to document the unique and unknown in Tacoma. It is however inevitable that we will showcase the diners, dives, delis, and taco trucks that make this gritty city great. MSM Grocery & Deli on 6th and South Trafton is certainly one of those places.
MSM Deli (or Magical Sandwich Makers to those not so keen on brevity, or Magical Sandwich Makers Grocery II & Deli to any Ents in our reading audience) is as unassuming as they come: a rectangular white box of a building stacked with refrigerator banks and minimart-esque wire racks filled with assorted snacks and grocery items; however, a jampacked parking lot and steady stream of hungry sandwich enthusiasts betray the sleepy exterior. A well known Tacoma fact is this place makes a mean sandwich. So mean, you’ll likely find yourself standing in line for some time while some creepy lady with a Disneyland sweater makes gooey eyes at you. MSM is so accessible, and so reasonably priced (sandwiches start under $5), it isn’t uncommon to see a suit diving mouth-first into a club sandwich seated next to a crack head (partially based on assumption….ok, largely based on assumption). This last bit of info surely won’t scare the typical Gritty Tacoman, but this does help to repel the Bluetooths and Beamers. Douchebag repellant.
The sandwich selection is impressive, but not overwhelming. 11 different sandwiches including a build-your-own option, East Coast style subs, pita wraps and soups make up the menu. Of course it is a grocery too, so pick up some Jalepeno chips, Funyons, a loaf of bread, or whatever the hell you want. And in addition to serving totally solid sandwiches, MSM easily has one of the best craft beer selections in town. Bizarre right?
This most recent jaunt to MSM has definitely reaffirmed my love with the reuben. It’s so good, dressed up nice just for you. How could you deny that crispy sauerkraut, the decadent corned beef with 1000 Island dressing just oozing from the warmed dark rye? That’s right. You can’t. The only competition in T Town comes from The Swiss, and that’s a battle for another day.
The Mike’s Deluxe was another big hit at our table. Piled high with deli meats and veggies, it’s definitely standard deli fare done right. The sandwich roll today was on the dry side, but this has proven to be a bit of a gamble here at MSM – sometimes the rolls are fresh and crisp, sometimes not. Perhaps their trips to their distributor are a touch too far between.
The Italian Sub again leaned toward this side of typical deli fare, but was definitely a tasty little guy. I’m a sucker for Pepperoncinis though. Throw a few on a toilet brush and I’d strongly consider eating it. The meats were fresh, and definitely a far cry from any chain sub shop. The bread here too was a touch on the dry side. This place needs a bakery to move in next door bad. Does anyone actually go to that little lawnmower repair shop anyway? I see a business opportunity! I only ask a mere 10% of your yearly profits as a consulting fee.
One evident lack here at MSM is vegetarian fare. My wife Elizabeth enjoyed her DIY veggie, but felt a bit hemmed in choice-wise. I must admit I empathized with her that her silly meat-free morals yet again got in the way of deliciousness. Sorry PETA. No hard feelings.
The Verdict:
All things said, the food was good to really good. The front of the store is a lunchtime feeding frenzy (they may as well install a long trough filled with sandwiches) and it is really important to call your order in ahead of time. Then you can walk over to the right side of the counter, bob and weave the evil stares from those in line, and pick up your order. If you want to improve your grit and eat in, I suggest the back room, although it is more reminiscent of a bingo hall than a restaurant – the few artful bicycle pictures aren’t fooling anyone. Think of it as a foil for the food, something plain to dress up what’s on your plate in your basket. Just watch out for that creepy lady in the Disneyland sweater, she’ll get ya.
Mention us and get….nothing! But please do enjoy your magical regularly priced sandwich.
It was a world filled with talking animals, mythical creatures, and powerful sorcerers. Each page revealed a new chapter in her own personal quest, where she would face challenges, make allies, and uncover hidden truths about herself and the world around her. Guided by the wise words within the book, Lily set out on her extraordinary journey. Along the way, she met a mischievous fox named Oliver, who became her loyal companion. Together, they traversed treacherous mountains, ventured into haunted castles, and braved vast deserts. Lily's heart filled with wonder as she witnessed the wondrous magic that existed in every corner of this extraordinary world. As her escapades continued, Lily began to realize that the magic she sought wasn't simply external but also resided within herself. She discovered that true magic came from acts of kindness, bravery, and believing in oneself. With every challenge she overcame, her own power and self-confidence grew stronger. But not everything in this magical tale was meant to be easy. Lily faced her fair share of hardships and sorrows. She lost dear friends, witnessed pain and suffering, and questioned her own strength. Yet, through it all, she persevered, fueled by her unwavering belief that her story would ultimately be one of triumph and hope. After many trials and tribulations, Lily finally reached the heart of her magical tale. Here, she encountered the greatest test of all – a battle against an ancient evil threatening to consume the world. With her newfound wisdom and courage, Lily faced the darkness head-on, marshaling her inner magic to triumph over adversity once and for all. In the end, Lily emerged victorious, having not only saved the world but also transformed herself into a beacon of light and inspiration. The once timid girl had become a powerful sorceress, forever changed by her magical tale. From that day forward, Lily continued to explore the world, spreading love, compassion, and the belief in the extraordinary power that resides within each and every one of us. And so, the magical tale of Lily came to a close, but its echoes remained in the hearts of all those who had been touched by her extraordinary journey. It served as a reminder that within each of us lies the power to create our own magical tales – stories of courage, resilience, and the enduring belief in the magic that surrounds us every day. In a world often plagued by darkness, Lily's tale remains an everlasting symbol of hope, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, our own magical tale is waiting to be written. It is a story that inspires us to dream big, believe in the impossible, and embark on the extraordinary journey of our own lives..
Reviews for "The Power of Belief in The Magical Tale"
1. John - 2 stars
I found "The magical tale" to be quite disappointing. The premise was intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The writing style was juvenile, and I couldn't emotionally connect with the characters. Additionally, the plot was predictable and lacked depth. Overall, I was expecting a captivating and magical experience, but all I got was a lackluster story.
2. Sarah - 1 star
"The magical tale" was a complete waste of time. The story felt disjointed and poorly constructed. The author failed to develop the world or the characters, resulting in a shallow and uninteresting narrative. The dialogue was cringeworthy, and the pacing was off. I struggled to finish the book and felt no satisfaction from the ending. I would not recommend it to anyone seeking a truly magical and enchanting read.
3. Michael - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The magical tale," but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The writing felt overly simplistic and lacked sophistication. The characters were one-dimensional, and their motivations were unclear. The storyline was rushed, leaving little room for the necessary build-up and suspense. In the end, I felt detached from the events and had no investment in the outcome. Overall, it was a forgettable read that failed to capture my imagination.
4. Emily - 1 star
"The magical tale" was a huge letdown. The world-building was incomplete and left many unanswered questions. The fantastical elements introduced were poorly explained and seemed arbitrary. The plot meandered aimlessly, and there was a lack of cohesion throughout. It felt like the author had many ideas but couldn't properly execute them. I found myself losing interest quickly and struggled to finish the book. I would advise others to steer clear of this disappointing read.
5. David - 2 stars
I wasn't impressed with "The magical tale." The writing was mediocre and failed to engage me. The characters lacked depth and felt more like caricatures than real individuals. The pacing was slow, and the plot didn't offer any surprises. I was hoping for a more enthralling and magical experience, but it fell short. I would recommend exploring other fantasy books that offer a more captivating and immersive reading experience.