Oliver Eats
“Honest Food with a Healthy Dose of Integrity”
If you haven’t yet visited Oliver Eats chances are you’ve at least heard of them. As the self-proclaimed largest supplier of organic produce and specialty cheese in the Okanagan, they’ve earned their reputation as being the “go to” place for anything from making a memorable charcuterie platter to pre-made family dinners.
But if you’ve somehow missed the unmistakable stainless steel Winnebago food truck – which I personally refer to as “Titanic 2” – parked in the driveway of their multi-bay building, it’s high time you drive down Station Street in Oliver, BC, and discover what you’ve been missing.
The space is spread across three buildings: the produce section, the bistro/deli, and the prep kitchen. While all areas deserve attention, I’ll focus on the bistro, though I encourage you to explore the rest of what Oliver Eats has to offer when you visit them.
The word “bistro” is often overused, as is “café.” Serving coffee doesn’t automatically make you a café, and selling cold cuts doesn’t automatically make you a bistro. For those of us who grew up with local butchers, who can remember when deli mustard wasn’t just mass-produced and squirted from a yellow bottle and sandwiches that didn’t come wrapped in vacuum-sealed plastic with expiry dates longer than a Twinkie, you’ll understand what I mean.
Thankfully, Derek Uhlemann and his dedicated team at Oliver Eats have brought back the true essence of a bistro and deli. Their menu features a wide selection of sandwiches made fresh daily, along with classic deli staples like coleslaw, potato salad, and homemade soups. Oliver Eats has revived the traditional bistro we remember visiting with our parents or grandparents, offering real, honest food.
Oliver Eats is committed to sourcing as many local products as possible and using ingredients that are sustainable and readily available. When you eat here, you can take pride in knowing you’re enjoying food made and purchased with integrity and without having to worry about how many steroids, chemicals or preservatives you just consumed.
With so many lunch options, I asked Chef Uhlemann what his personal favourite was – and what I should try. Without hesitation, he recommended the pastrami sandwich. Pastrami, he explained, is his favourite meat, and he’s passionate about its history. A quick Google search reveals the fascinating past of how it was first conceived, to how it ended up halfway around the world, to become a staple of New York delis and evolved into the pastrami we know and love today.
A reminder that a well-made deli sandwich is an art form and a testament to the enduring tradition of the deli/bistro.
Sheldon Herman photo
When I took my first bite of the pastrami sandwich, I immediately noticed the artisan bun. It held the sandwich together beautifully without getting soggy and provided a satisfying chew that didn’t leave the roof of my mouth scratched and sore after every bite. It’s easy to take a sandwich for granted, but this one reminded me that a well-made deli sandwich is an art form.
This isn’t just a “sandwich” – it’s a testament to the enduring tradition of the deli/bistro and the possibility of thriving in a world that values healthy eating and food sustainability one hungry eater at a time.
So, the next time you’re craving a pastrami sandwich, a house-made deli pickle, or one of Oliver Eats’ famous “Baldy Balls” made with peanut butter and oats, head down to Oliver Eats. You won’t leave disappointed. And when you do, tell them Sheldon sent you.
Oliver Eats is located at 6060 Station Street, Oliver, BC. 250-498-3394 and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit olivereats.ca for more information.
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Sheldon Herman is the author of the international best-selling book The Tortured Traveller: How I Survived The Worst Vacation Ever and has travelled and ate in 60 different countries. Neither the writer nor the newspaper received financial compensation for this article and its thoughts and opinions are strictly of the writer himself. If you are a restaurant or you have a suggestion for a restaurant that you would like to see featured, send an email to [email protected]
Check out the eateries we’ve featured so far.
