Local Business Spotlight Chilliwack: Gunther's German Deli

On Saturday, I was lucky enough to experience Gunther's German Deli for the first time - with it being unlike any other place I had been to with the cultural food and unique selection of fresh, hand-smoked meats. Everything at the deli was homemade, and it was without a doubt the best sandwich I have ever eaten, overthrowing The Yellow Deli, which previously held the title of "best sandwich" from me. 

Gunther's is what could best be described as unassuming, with it being a hole-in-the-wall in downtown Chilliwack, it was something my mother was curious about first upon seeing it while she was out, and we went together on Saturday to go and try a sandwich. Upon entering, we were met with a bright and clean building packed full of both German and Dutch products ranging from sweets to condiments, every shelf was stocked, with the freezer even having unique varenyky. The deli selection was a mix of familiar and unfamiliar products, with their own pepperoni, cured and smoked meats, and items like German burgers and Schnitzel in both chicken and pork variety. 

The shop itself was very clean and appropriate for browsing, and the wait time for the sandwiches was a bit long, but understandably worthwhile. There was a lot to look at within the deli itself despite its somewhat small size, which made the wait not bothersome at all. The service was great, with a very kind elderly worker taking our order and ensuring that we got everything that we needed, three sandwiches, my favorite Dutch marzipan cakes, a pickled sausage, and some German meatballs. Everything was very much so homestyle, with the sandwich being the best I have ever had. I chose the create-your-own, with mine being on a white bun (which was also homemade by the members of the deli) with mayo, salami, pancetta, creamy Havarti, and lettuce. Not only was the sandwich perfectly balanced, but it had such an intensely addictive flavor palate that I will be going back as soon as I possibly can. 

Shop cleanliness: 9.6/10, very unsuspecting, clean, food is handled with proper sanitation

Service: 9.8/10, very friendly, but a bit of a wait - not a problem at all when the food is so worth the time! 

Selection: 10/10. I could come back a hundred times and still get something unique every time.

Sandwich: 10/10. I would give it an even higher rating if I could - everything was unbelievably incredible. Exceptional flavors and quality. 

Every element of my sandwich was perfect, and I will without a doubt become a regular at Gunther's. The bun was fresh and soft, with the sandwich being cold rather than toasted making it a perfect bite. The bread had a slightly sweet flavor that paired perfectly with the tangy German mayonnaise, crispy lettuce, and rich meats along with the creamy Havarti. Everything was paired perfectly. Typically when I have had subs or sandwiches with lettuce, there is too much, or the lettuce is of poor quality - with Gunther's, I ate every last bite of everything, with the lettuce being high quality, fresh produce with a great crunch and mild flavor that did not dampen the flavor of the meat or cheese. The mix of the flavorful salami and rich, fatty pancetta was a delightful pairing, with the smooth pancetta going strikingly well with the salami. The Havarti and mayo both made the sandwich have a layer of creaminess that helped to balance the rich savory meat on the sandwich, and the cheese was without a doubt the most luxuriously creamy Havarti I have ever had. The sandwich was both filling and indulgent, and I have been raving about it ever since. If I could suggest just one deli in Chilliwack, it would be Gunther's. It is without a doubt the best place for sandwiches in the entire Fraser Valley.