It's hard to screw up a sandwich, since it requires just enough skill to cram a couple slices of meat and maybe some cheese between two pieces of bread.

By the same token, it's also hard to elevate the sandwich into something truly extraordinary. In the months to come, I will search the South Sound for masterful sandwich creations, then serving the scoop here every Wednesday.

My first stop: Meconi's Pub and Eatery in downtown Tacoma - home to tasty sandwiches, a lot of history and wacky mannequins on its faux balcony.

Italian is the word at this downtown Tacoma watering hole.

Meconi's serves several Italian sandwiches - hot and cold - but the hot sausage pub sandwich is the prime minister. Arriving open faced on a freshly baked sub roll - soft in the middle, toasted on the outside -the sliced hot Italian sausage stacks high. Skipping the sweet sausage is a good call. This puppy packs a punch.

Smothering the meat are sautéed green peppers and sweet onions - perfect contrast to the sausage's spiciness. 

Oh, and here it comes, the topper, a tangy marinara sauce and bubbly beautiful mozzarella cheese. So yum.

Riding shotgun are salad or fries, and my standard ice-cold beer.

The bar has been set, my friends. Ride with me.

MECONI'S PUB AND EATERY, 11 A.M. TO MIDNIGHT SUNDAY-THURSDAY, 11 A.M. TO 2 A.M. FRIDAY-SATURDAY, 709 PACIFIC AVE., TACOMA, 253.383.3388

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GET THE AFTERNOON DELIGHT NEWSLETTER

The Weekly Volcano’s Afternoon Delight newsletter features breaking news, stories, calendar picks and more sent directly to your inbox Monday-Friday. It’s completely free to subscribers, but costs $10,000 if you don't like it. You will like it. It's sweet and sour and makes you pucker and swoon. Sign up here: