Until recently, it was easier to find a jar of fermented shrimp paste in Northeast Portland's Roseway neighborhood than a properly spicy Italian gabagool sandwich. That was, until East Coast native Mark Caso opened his friendly Italian deli and coffee shop on busy Sandy Boulevard. Now neighbors are flocking for hearty subs with a side of no nonsense old-country charm. And by old country, Caso means New Jersey.

The chow: Bacchi's classic cold and hot Italian sandwiches ($7-$10.50, with chips and a pickle) are all about the goods Caso gets primarily from his meat guy back in Jersey: different configurations of prosciutto, thin-sliced hot capicola, salami and more layered with hot peppers and veggies, drizzled with a distinctively sweet mix of olive oil and balsamic vinegar and tucked inside pillowy Fleur De Lis ciabatta or crunchy-crusted Alessio hoagie rolls.

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Source: http://www.oregonlive.com/