604 Foodtography

I would put a street view map from Google, but it doesn’t do a good job of showing the outside of this deli. This butcher shop and deli is part of So.Cial at Le Magasin. You can walk through the alley that branches off from the intersection of Cordova St. and Homer, or you can walk through from the front on Water St.

I first read about So.Cial from Noshwell, when they posted about their experience back on June 18, 2008. That summer, I was working downtown full time and so stopped by after work to get myself a late lunch. Arriving just past 1, the place was full of people still, many sitting at the bar by the window. It’s funny, because back then I hadn’t even started blogging or taking pictures, let alone thinking about it, and now look where I am.

Look up and there’s the menu. When I first tried this place, the prices were much cheaper. A large was only $12 I think? Prices have gone up to reflect the cost of flour/etc, but I still believe that for the amount and quality of this handmade artisan sandwich, it’s not expensive at all.  Small ($6.75), Medium ($10.75), Large ($16.75) + tax.  Yes, I see that Sandwich + Beer combo ($10), and you probably thought I got that. Not this time, I did however come back for it another day.

This is no Subway, everything is freshly prepared, nothing comes from prepackaged plastic bags. Pick and choose from the toppings, or you can have it all and ask for “The Works”. I got everything, plus a couple dabs of Tabasco. After you order, pick up a bag of house made chips and wait.

Sauces: Dijon Mustard, Aioli (garlic & herb mayo)
Veggies: Lettuce, Onion, Roasted Bell Peppers, Banana Peppers, Tomatoes, Pickles
Cheese: Havarti, Provolone
Special Request: Hot Chili Sauce, Tabasco

While waiting for my sandwich to be made, I walked over the the fridge to check out the meats available. House Roast Beef….look at that…..deliiiicious. The person behind the counter will go pick up your meat, slice off some slices. Same with the cheese, they take a chunk of cheese and slice it off.

I ordered myself a large Capicola. I thought about trying to finish all of it there, but decided I shouldn’t risk it and save the other half for later. Big ups to anyone who can finish a large in one sitting however, that’s just insane.

Close up of the sandwich. Whenever I describe this sandwich to friends, I describe the Foccacia bread as a small wheel, similar to a go-kart wheel. The chips are crispy, and not at all greasy. The sandwich is superb, I really can’t describe it well enough other than it’s like a mini foodgasm in your mouth with each bite.

I ended up not eating dinner that night, since I had this after school around 6pm. I had the other half along with the rest of the chips for lunch the next day. Two meals for $18~. You could even stretch it to 4 meals if you had a quarter each time!

Butchershop & Deli:
Daily Breakfast: 7:30am – 11am
Monday to Saturday: 11am – 7pm
Sundays: 12pm – 6pm