Well, relatively cheap, in any case.

We'd gone out to the mall for lunch and -- after prying Julie out of the mall's clutches -- were heading home when I suggested having sandwiches for dinner. Then I suggested we run by Mariano's on the way home, because their deli counter is usually better and cheaper than the one at the nearby Jewel.

And it was. The roast beef that I buy to satisfy Katie's preference was more than 20% cheaper, the corned beef was similarly cheap. Even the summer sausage was cheaper than at Jewel.

When the Mariano's opens up in our neighborhood next year, they will put a serious hurt on the local Jewel's business.