Here is another dispatch from the land of sandwiches. I've been exploring new sandwich shops in Tacoma and Bonney Lake. This is day two of my four-day sandwich inquest. Have a new sandwich shop you want me to scope for you? E-mail tntdiner@thenewstribune.com.

The sched:
Sept. 25: Jimmy John's in Tacoma
Today: Jersey Mike's in Bonney Lake
Tuesday: Puccini's Venetian Subs in Bonney Lake
Thursday: Midtown Deli & Espresso in Tacoma

Now for today's offering: Jersey Mike's Subs

The scoop: Clean, friendly chain sandwich shop. It doesn't appear they are trying too hard, but you get the sense that, yes, indeed, uh huh, you've wandered into a chain restaurant. Still, a friendly, clean place is a large improvement over sad and dirty.

Bread choices: White, wheat or wrap it.

MEAT! Man. They love to pile on meat. More meat than I could stomach in one sandwich. If you're looking for meat value, this is your sandwich spot.

We ate: Husband of this here Food Editor ordered a regular Jersey Mike's Famous Philly ($6.49; giant is $9.49) sans grilled onions and peppers and a double dose of meat. Quote from husband: "I don't want the vegetables to detract from my meat sandwich." The sandwich came with a ridiiiiiiculous amount of meat. Note to you: you don't need to order double meat, even if you believe you need double meat.

Still congested and in need of serious comfort food, I ordered the regular Grilled Reuben ($6.29; giant is $9.29). Oh yeah, it did the trick. I felt comfortably stuffed after half. As promised, it came loaded with meat. Not as much as the double meat Philly that husband coveted, but way more meat than I needed. Clearly, this place is doing an admirable job at artery clogging. Swiss cheese, sauerkruat and Thousand Island dressing made it a typical trip down Reuben lane.

The verdict: This is the place to go if you're a confirmed meatavore. Also, for the ratio of meat to bread, I'd say this sandwich shop is a great bargain. A regular sandwich for around $6 is a big lunch. I stretched my Reuben into lunch the next day.

Cool thing: Chips selection. Wow. Lovers of bagged fried potato products will rejoice. A dozen kinds of chips.

Menu highlights: Cold subs, hot subs and wraps and a few soups and salads. The Super Sub ($4.29/$5.99/$8.99) comes with provolone, ham, proscuittini and cappacuolo (now, that is MEAT!). The Chicken Caesar Wrap ($5.89) comes with grilled sliced chicken breast, lettuce, grated cheese and Caesar dressing. The Club Supreme ($4.59/$6.49/$9.49) comes with roast beef, turkey, Swiss cheese, bacon and mayo.

Next time: I'd try the Meatball and Cheese ($6.29/$9.29) or the Jersey Shore's Favorite ($4.19/$5.49/$8.49) with provolone, ham and cappacuolo.

Jersey Mike's Subs
Where: 21180 SR 410, Bonney Lake; 253-862-5111
Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.