The Sausage Shop Meat Market is located at 1015 W. Prince Road in Tucson. For more information, call 520-888-1701.

© Edward McCain

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A Place to Meat

Tucson If you're of the vegetarian persuasion, stop reading here and turn the page. If you continue to read this, you do so at your own risk — this writer assumes no responsibility for your falling off the wagon.

Tucson's Sausage Shop Meat Market is really no place for herbivores. As its handle implies, the shop is a place where Cajun andouille, salami, bratwurst and hot Italian links reign supreme, and where slices of some of the most righteous deli meats in the city grace sandwiches that are as cleverly named as they are belly-busting.

Reuben — grilled corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and thousand-island dressing piled high on toasted rye bread — stars as himself at The Sausage Shop, but several oddball relatives also make appearances. Ralph, "Reuben's ugly brother," features pastrami and all the fixings, while Randi, "Reuben's hot sister," opts for turkey.

Extended family members include Spanky, which erupts with salami, ham, capicola, provolone and bell peppers; the Blue Ox, which oozes with sliced smoked brisket smothered in blue cheese and barbecue sauce; and Tubby, andouille sausage, smoked brisket, grilled onions and peppers, Creole mustard and hot-pepper cheese on whatever bread you select to try to harness all the stuffing.

While you'll likely be stuffed after eating one of the shop's sandwiches, chances are you won't be able to sit down and enjoy yourself there, unless you snag a spot at the picnic table outside. There's no indoor seating at The Sausage Shop, and that's because the spartan storefront focuses on what it does best — just being a deli, plainly and simply — instead of focusing on fancy accoutrements.

Located in an industrial area on Prince Road, off Interstate 10, The Sausage Shop caters to the workingman lunch crowd, with $5 daily specials that include a sandwich, chips and drink. It's also a great place to stop on your way home. Specialty sausages, like green onion and chorizo, are available to take with you for your own decadent culinary creations. And if you need sandwiches for a party or a tailgate, or if you just want to have a sandwich a day for the next three weeks, The Sausage Shop can do that, too. Just give them 24 hours' notice.

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