This week's intended thing: Johnny's Dock PB&J & Bacon Sandwich

Deleted from existence: Six months ago

Tears shed regarding item deletion: 2,329

Popular menu item: Yes

Popular enough: Obviously not

Initial gross out factor: High

Actual deliciousness: Heavenly

Jelly used: Jalapeno

Random ingredient: Cheddar Cheese

Thing substituted for this week's column: Reuben sandwich

Gah! I navigated my way along Pacific Avenue from the downtown Tacoma post office, down Puyallup Avenue, across the D Street bridge, and all the way to Johnny's Dock - all for a taste of their amazing Peanut Butter & Jalapeno Jelly & Bacon sandwich. ...

Only to find out that they had deleted the popular item six months ago. 

Curses!

It was hard enough persuading the temporary eight-year-old sidekick, my daughter, to come with me and try this odd sounding sandwich. 

"If you have no school today, you have to go to work with me.  And by ‘work,' I mean ‘eat a PB&J with bacon and cheddar cheese,'" I told her. 

"Hey, I'm not the one who decided to write for the Weekly Volcano," she argued.

She had me on that one. Damn that girl is smart.  Just like her parents.

I decided to go easy on her and let my intelligent protege order the Kid's Fish ‘n' Chips for a whopping $12, while my server, Matthew, convinced me to order the Reuben in place of the axed PB&J.

With corned beef that was, judging by the size of the pile, obviously placed on the toasted rye bread by an industrial dump truck - I stretched my jaw around one of the best Reubens I've ever gnawed on.  Granted, I've only had about three Reubens in my life (never cared for Thousand Island-type dressing), but I can say without a doubt this was one of the best. 

I was full after the first few bites (seeing as how this particular Reuben could feed a family of five) and internally thanked Johnny's Dock for not including French fries with this $13.95 sandwich. 

In an effort to duplicate my favorite combination of peanut butter, jalapeno jelly, cheddar cheese and bacon, server Matthew rushed toward the kitchen to double check exactly what brand of jalapeno jelly was once used.  I appreciated the help, but disappointment had already set in and there would be no duplicating the real-deal. If this sandwich had a Facebook page, you'd totally "like" it, no doubt.  Because let's be honest - you'll "like" anything having to do with bacon on Facebook. 

[Johnny's Dock, 1900 East D Street, Tacoma, 253.627.3186]