T.N.T — The Vault Delicatessen

The Vault Delicatessen named its T.N.T sandwich after a former employee of the Mason eatery. I prefer to imagine that it’s named after late, great jazz musicians Thelonious Monk, Nat Adderley and Tony Scott. The tastes of the T.N.T sandwich perfectly mesh like a well seasoned jazz trio.

My first tiny taste thrilled my tongue, much like my ears might be enthused by an explosion from an eclectic musical combo. The first bite told me the T.N.T was no ordinary sandwich.

It has a unique blend of artichoke spread, sweet dill mustard and red onion that harmonizes with melted Muenster and Sherwood cheddar cheeses. The whole thing is garnished with fresh lettuce and tomato and held together with a flavorful, herb-seeded crusty bread.

The combination is tangy and mild, sweet and sharp, crunchy and soft, all at once. These ingredients are would be good as solo items, but together they make an orchestral delight.

The only downside to this swingin’ amalgamation is that I learned the hard way that T.N.T is best enjoyed inside the cozy deli or on the nearby Mason Courthouse lawn and not in the passenger seat of a moving car. The somewhat fragile sandwich leaks yummy juices all over, which is not ideal for mobile dining.

The Vault’s sandwiches are usually served with a side of mixed greens and croutons. I opted for an old-style monster dill pickles instead. To me, that was the perfect accompaniment for a lunch I was truly, well, jazzed about.

The Vault Delicatessen

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday- Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday 368 S. Jefferson St., Mason (517) 676-2696, thevaultdeli.com

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