Celebrate Pastrami Sandwich Day in Canada by Noshing at These 5 Spots
Written by JP Karwacki
Nothing beats a cold day in Canada like the hug of a hot and stacked sandwich in your stomach. That makes National Hot Pastrami Day on January 14 the perfect occasion to be out to lunch—literally and figuratively—between bread and slice after slice of brined, spiced, smoked and steamed meat.
While the country’s got a superb selection of delis, restaurants and sandwich counters to choose from for the occasion, we’ve done some gut-busting research to put together this selection of sandwiches.
Manna European Bakery & Deli (St. John’s)
This East Coast deli’s been a regular haunt for years with a steady local fandom seeking them out for soups, salads, and sandwiches alongside handmade baked goods made from scratch with traditional ingredients and techniques. The key here is their fresh bread, which helps to enhance a bite of their pastrami that can come from lunch as easy and quick or as luxurious as you like it—just ask them to make a Reuben and you’ll find out what we mean.
Address: 342 Freshwater Rd, St. John’s | @mannabakery
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Oscar's Deli (Winnipeg)
Locally owned and operated delicatessen in Winnipeg since 1929, Oscar’s is an institution that’s been around so long that they can remember selling their sandwiches for only a couple cents. A regular daytime joint, they’re by and for locals, opening up for game day crowds looking for pre-game snacks and drinks. That includes the pastrami, which comes stacked mile-high two slices of rye, occasionally coming with some cheese and a bit of coleslaw for some crunch.
Address: 175 Hargrave St, Winnipeg | @oscarsdeliwinnipeg
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D'Amore Italian Deli (Edmonton)
A local Italian deli in Edmonton’s Calder neighbourhood, it might seem strange to see something like pastrami on their menu of pressed sandwiches like beef brisket, chicken cutlet, and prosciutto, but trust us—it’s there for a reason. Once you get a bite of that fresh-out-of-the-press sandwich with crusty Italian bread, beef pastrami, melty mozza, sauerkraut, pickles, mayo, mustard and house dressing? It’s damn near perfect.
Address: 12943 127 St NW, Edmonton | @damores_deli
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Keith’s Deli (Calgary)
The self-described “little deli that could” does a lot more than a little. Running for 50 years and counting out of a humble spot in the Chinook Plaza, their pastrami sandwiches come hot with melted mozzarella and cheddar cheese, lettuce, mayonnaise and mustard—all on a white or whole wheat bun. Grab one on its own, or with a house sausage or some wings on the side. It’s a daytime spot running a proper 9 to 5 operation, so don’t go expecting being able to order up late at night; it’s a shame, too, as these would make for the perfect midnight snack.
Address: 6100 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary
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Omnitsky Kosher (Vancouver)
Beginning with a kosher kitchen first founded in the early 1900s in Winnipeg, Omnitsky’s Vancouver pastrami is made individually by hand from a house brisket that’s been going strong since 1977 on the West Coast. Making both beef and turkey pastrami that can be purchased to go, their in-house sandwiches come in either five-ounce or eight-ounce sizes. If you’re really hungry? Go for the Noah’s Ark, a huge beast of a sandwich containing pastrami, chopped liver, and coleslaw. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.
Address:5775 Oak St, Vancouver | @omnitskykosher
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