• Havin’ a Ball – Meatball sub with tomato sauce and provolone cheese $5.95

I was not terribly impressed with Caffrey's deli. If we lived in the neighborhood, I am sure we would go there when in the mood for a sub, mainly because it is independently owned. But it is not worth the drive from a different neighborhood.

My meatball sub was comparable to subway which is really a sad statement. Steve's on the other hand was not too bad, so maybe it is that I simply chose the wrong one. But the side of potato salad was also average at best.

So not a terrible experience, just not one worth repeating, especially when we have good sub places much closer to us.

• The Blue Cow – Grilled roast beef, blue cheese crumbles & bacon with lettuce, tomato, red onion & mayo $6.85

I enjoyed the Blue Cow that I got at Caffrey’s Deli. The grilled roast beef was hot and fresh in a generous portion. The blue cheese could have been better, and more of it. The mayo was a distraction in an otherwise solid sandwich. The fruit salad on the side must have come from a can, or a very large industrial size can, that was portioned out. Renee’s potato salad tasted like a standard, not-so-great potato salad. Her meatball sub reminded me of Subway (and it was Subway quality at best).

The shop itself is a very basic high table set up with seating for about 30 people in total. It’s clean, but not immaculate. The seating and restaurant are functional, not upscale or high class. The deli did not have any high chairs or booster seats, which forced us to take the order to go.

I hope to go back some day and try the Hot Pastrami, Reuben, and perhaps others. That probably won’t be any time soon, because it’s really not worth a long drive for their sandwiches. Caffrey’s niche is that it is open late to cater to the after-bar crowd and offers delivery for a $1 charge and $6 minimum. They have good sandwiches made to order, with the emphasis on good. Other neighborhood delis make better sandwiches that are worth driving further for (Be’wiched is a new favorite of mine with far superior sandwiches and sides). Although I’m not intimately familiar with the Uptown sandwich scene, I’m sure there are other very good shops that also offer sandwiches just as good. Then again, when you’re hankering a sub in the area, perhaps after bar closing, this could be your place.