All hail the Queen
Spring has officially arrived in the South Okanagan, and for this week’s Food Adventure with Sheldon, the spotlight lands on a place that has quickly become one of the fastest growing and successful businesses in Osoyoos — Queen of the South Cafe & Tapas.
This Main Street gem has been serving up quality, comfort, and creativity for four years now, including the past two in its current location, and it’s easy to see why it continues to build such a loyal following.
Owner Melissa Genberg, known affectionately by many as “Queenie,” found inspiration for the restaurant’s name in a mix of personal identity and pop culture. Being in Osoyoos — quite literally the southernmost town — combined with her nickname and her love for the TV show Queen of the South, the name came together in a way that just made sense, and like the business itself, it stuck.
Behind the scenes, Melissa leads a team of 17 full-time staff who help bring her vision to life every single day, creating an atmosphere that feels both welcoming and genuine the moment you walk in.
The menu offers something for everyone, from specialty coffees and seasonal favourites — with seven unique spring creations currently featured — to baked goods, soups, sandwiches, and even alcohol. Everything feels thoughtfully curated, but also approachable, and the consistency across the board is impressive.
The sandwiches are a major draw with over 16 different options to choose from.
The sandwiches, in particular, are a major draw, with over 16 different options to choose from, each bringing its own distinct flavour profile. The most popular among them is the boldly named “We Finish Hard,” stacked with turkey, banana peppers, onion, pickle, cucumber, lettuce, jalapeño havarti, and a trio of house-made sauces including spicy mayo, garlic mayo, and sundried tomato aioli. It’s big, it’s messy, and it could cure world hunger if enough of them were spread across the globe.
Melissa’s personal favourite is the Reuben, and it’s not hard to understand why. Loaded with half a pound of meat and paired with fresh bread supplied by Big Al, it’s the kind of sandwich that doesn’t hold back — hearty, rich, and easily one of the best you’ll find this side of New York. Daily lunch specials keep things fresh for regulars, while soups are made in-house and constantly changing, giving customers a reason to keep coming back just to see what’s new.
Beyond the food, it’s the little details that really set Queen of the South apart. One of the most talked-about features is the “Quote Wall,” completely covered in printed memes and sayings contributed by customers. If you find one that speaks to you, you’re welcome to take it — as long as you bring one back to replace it next time. It’s a simple idea, but one that perfectly captures the community-driven spirit of the place.
That same sense of local connection shows up in other ways too, from the handcrafted mugs and pottery supplied by Swiss Miss Mudhut to a collaboration with Barrel 22 that resulted in a custom Queen of the South hot sauce — (stay tuned for an upcoming feature on Barrel 22 themselves in the next couple weeks.)
Events are another big part of what keeps this spot buzzing, with everything from Mother’s Day Bingo to artist/paint nights and even comedy shows, most of which sell out quickly, so planning ahead and registering is a must if you want to take part.
For those readers who asked me to try and include more “secret menu” dishes in my articles after I suggested “Sheldons Khao Soi” at Dolce Thai Restaurant in Osoyoos (No longer a secret and in fact has been added to the menu full time). Melissa, who is Portuguese and the daughter of a longtime and reputable butcher from Penticton, makes her own homemade Portuguese sausage from scratch. It’s not listed on the menu and not served in-house, but if you ask nicely she will be more than happy to sell you some so you can take it home and create your own Portuguese feast.
Catering and delivery services stretch from Rock Creek to Keremeos and everywhere in between, and her charcuterie boards have become a visual and culinary standout, gaining attention across social media for their attention to detail and sheer presentation.
And it would be impossible not to mention Brenda, the in-house baker who, at nearly 80 years old, still comes in every morning to make fresh baked goods — not because she has to, but because she wants to. That kind of passion is something you can taste and what separates good restaurants from great ones.
With so many sandwich options to explore, including my personal favourite, the Bella the Ball, there’s really no wrong choice here — just plenty of reasons to come back again and again. And when you do, make sure you tell them Sheldon sent you.
Queen of the South Cafe & Tapas is located at 306 Main St, Osoyoos, and open daily from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and stretching a little later to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Sheldon Herman is the author of the multi award-winning, international best-selling book “The Tortured Traveller: How I Survived the Worst Vacation Ever,” and has eaten his way through over 60 countries. This review was written independently and without compensation. Have a restaurant you’d like featured? Email [email protected].
