The place to: Deep Cuts Deli in Medford.
Why: Sandwiches to go, music, and neighborhood cheer.
The backstory: As Warren Zevon as soon as stated, “Take pleasure in each sandwich.” At Deep Cuts in Medford, you’ll — together with music, too, as a result of it doubles as a report store and artists’ sanctuary, with work from native creatives lining the partitions (proper now it’s Kat Maus Haus Illustration & Design from Beverly).
Co-owner Ian McGregor, who lives in Medford, is understood all through Boston’s live performance and pop-up scene due to his firm, Eye Design, the place he staged Deal with Yo Self Artistic Trade nights at Nice Scott. The evenings featured dessert pizzas, music, and video games. Within the present setting, he wanted a brand new dwelling.
Right here, he sells data from native bands and labels who’re quickly grounded (Disposable America, Midnight Werewolf), prints, candles — and, in fact, sandwiches.
McGregor can be a restaurant business veteran, having labored at Atwood’s and the Computerized. He makes the meals himself.
Since opening in February, “The neighborhood has been super-friendly. Persons are all the time coming by to say good day,” he says.
What to eat: The Cuban is his high vendor, with the traditional ham, pork, Swiss, pickles, and a zestier-than-usual chipotle mustard to spice issues up. The turkey Reuben is one other hit, with meat made in-house. However I like to recommend the kimchi grilled cheese, two gooey triangles bleeding scorching sauce commingled with blankets of provolone and layers of kimchi wedged between griddled sourdough. Non-meat-eaters will discover a lot to love right here, too, with the Banzo, a vegan meatball sandwich made with garbanzo beans; Chick Chick Increase, with curried chickpeas on sourdough; and a beet Reuben. Sandwiches include a thimble of potato salad; add smooth pretzels, boiled peanuts; and mac and cheese topped with fried onions. Get an enormous, chewy chocolate chip cookie dusted with sea salt for dessert.
What to drink: Co-owner Jeff Wetzel runs BearMoose Brewing Firm in Everett, however for now, drinks are virgin: Seize a pouch of house-made ginger or candy iced tea; cans of Atomic iced espresso; or cocktail mixers from former Computerized bartender Anthony Mottla, just like the Excessive St. Highball and Moscow Mustang.
The takeaway: Tasty sandwiches. Native artists. Indie data. There’s loads to love right here, particularly whereas we anticipate stay music to make a comeback.
472 Excessive St., Medford, 781-219-3815, www.deepcuts.rocks
Kara Baskin might be reached at kara.baskin@globe.com. Comply with her on Twitter @kcbaskin.
