Myers Delicatessen

If you could start your own Delicatessen, how would you like it to be? Would you want to serve quality, classic food? Would you want to offer a warm and inviting place for your customers? Would you want it to stand the test of time? Well, for 61 years Myers Delicatessen at 1842 Grant avenue has done just that.

Let’s start with the food. The sandwiches are piled high with all of your favorite meats such as Pastrami, Corned Beef, Montreal Smoked , Roast Turkey, Roast Beef and Beef Brisket. They are served on two slices of fresh rye bread and offered up with your choice of mustard, to your favorite grilled sandwiches like the Clubhouse, Turkey Pesto, Beef Dip and Rueben. And don’t forget those sides. You can enjoy classic salads like Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Pesto bow-tie and Greek pasta. And last but certainly not least, you have the option to add one of those amazing deli pickles! You know the ones that are almost as big as your sandwich? The ones that, when you bite into them, the juice runs all the way down your hand? Ya those ones. Like my wife said when we ordered “If you don’t want a pickle with your sandwich, then don’t go to a deli!”

Myers is so much more than just the food however, there is something special about the atmosphere here too. It is hard to put it into words, but I will do my best. Let’s start with the unassuming store front. A plain green sign with their name on it. The only mention of food on the sign is the word “Sandwiches”. The rest of the info is about how you can get them, “Eat-In, Take Out, Catering” plus a short shout out to their commitment and longevity “Quality since 1958”. There are classic neon Coca-Cola and Open signs in the window. Above the door is a window air-conditioning unit. From the outside, it looks like any other store in any other strip mall in Winnipeg. The store front has none of the flare, none of the over the top marketing like your big chain restaurants but, it delivers on 100% of its messaging simple, quality sandwiches for you to eat here or take home.

Once you open the door and step inside, you immediately feel yourself being taken back in time to the Deli counters of old. There is vintage memorabilia on every wall. There are old Coca-Cola signs, cans, and crates. There is a vintage rotary dial phone mounted to the wall. The tables are classically adorned with red and white checkered table cloths and on each one is a stand up carousel straw dispenser. There are many pictures of celebrities who have stopped by for a sandwich or a bowl of soup and have left their autograph behind as a stamp of approval. There are the stand up coolers where you get your drinks. Cans are available, but like those classic days, there are plenty of glass bottle options to choose from. Rounded glass front counters that house the salads and knishes have several of the staff working diligently behind them making your order right in front of your eyes or preparing one of the many take-out orders that have been called in. They always smile and welcome you in. And if you are lucky enough to get one of the 15 seats available to sit down and stay a while, they will always check up on you and make sure that you are enjoying your meal. Everyone is meant to feel like they have been a regular since 1958 and that they are happy to see you again even if it is your very first visit.

If you haven’t been to Myers deli before or if it has been a while since you have gone, do yourself a favour and make the trip. You won’t be disappointed. Make sure you bring a friend or a loved one! Their daily specials are for 2 x one of the selected weights of sandwiches every day and the two of you can spend some time and relax and enjoy a sandwich in a piece of Winnipeg History. By the way, if no one will go with you, shoot me an email, I’d gladly go back!

Please give this place a try, then leave a comment to let me know how your visit turned out. If you are interested in learning more about who I am and would like to see additional photos of the places I visit including the meals that I cook, please check out my social media links at the bottom of the page.  Enjoy!