Deli machine

As a detective, the first useful insight I had when attempting to solve the mystery of the crossword clue ‘Deli machine’ was to consider the characteristics of a deli shop. Delis often serve cold cuts and sandwiches, so I started thinking about the types of machines a deli might need to slice meat and cheese. The word ‘machine’ in the clue suggested a mechanical tool, not a person. This observation ruled out the possibility of answering the clue with the word ‘butcher’. Then, I recognized that the verb ‘slice’ could be a clue to the answer. Slice is a word that implies cutting, and the only machine used for cutting anything at a deli is a slicer. The answer I arrived at is ‘slicer’, a machine that delicatessens use to slice meats and cheeses. By piecing together these clues and applying my own knowledge of deli shops, I finally solved the mystery of the crossword clue.