The Blue Beaver Deli
39 Greenville Ave.
Johnston, Rhode Island
401-421-BLUE / 2583

image: Blue Beaver Deli

In a little strip mall in Johnston, where once a Subway stood, now lives a deli awkwardly named "The Blue Beaver."

Bear and I stopped in a couple of weeks ago, shortly after they opened, and we were pleasantly surprised! Traces of the former Subway remain in the floor and the brick wallpaper, but the atmosphere and the food are worlds away.

Rather than the rather discontented employees I'd found at the former restaurant, the folks here are friendly and accommodating. And the sandwiches - oh, such sandwiches! Bear is now addicted to the #18 "Wicked Willow Dam" - no tomatoes. I like the "create your own." Their roast beef is fresh, rare and juicy. The specialty chicken pot pie is good, even a couple of days later.

We've taken Bear's friends there, stopped in for a last-minute meal, and carried out. It's clean, convenient, consistently excellent food. Word from behind the counter is that they'll be offering delivery eventually.

The deli is owned by brothers Scott and Tommy McGee, who also own Gator's pub in Smithfield. It's a sports-themed place, with memorabilia and televisions broadcasting whatever game is on at the time.