There are places that feel like a hug, and Patricia Street Deli is one of them.
All four owners (Dustin Florence, Jaimie Kreklewetz, and Wendy and Glen Leitch) greeted me as I stepped inside. They guided me towards a warm, rustic table — a piece of furniture that had been at the core of the business since the day Glen founded it in 2004. The way he spoke about his vision for the deli and the people that have made it what it is now was heartwarming. This man does not just love his business, it has become a part of who he is.
Patricia Street Deli was established in Jasper, where it built a strong community and thrived for more than 20 years.
“It had become a staple for the town,” says Glen. But in 2024, the Jasper Wildfire fire took it all (except for that wooden table, which they had coincidently moved from the restaurant, so it was luckily safe from the flames). At the time, it was impossible to see this unfortunate incident as anything other than a loss — but it ultimately brought the deli to us, to Edmonton. Florence, Kreklewetz and the Leitches realized, after conducting a survey, that most of their clients were from our city, so it seemed like the perfect place to start over.
Unlike their original 570-square-foot limited-seating deli in Jasper, their new space, which opened in December 2025, embodies the essence of a dark, moody home bar. It is open enough for the light to pour in but the black washed walls framing the fireplace add a warmth that invites you to cancel your day plans and chill in the room for a few hours.
I don’t think anyone can go wrong with a sandwich bar at any time of day. That is why Patricia Street Deli is a great choice whether you are looking for lunch, a filling dinner sub or to cater an event. And who doesn’t love a good build-your-own sandwich option?
The 10-foot bar in front of the sandwich station is filled with breads, sauces, meats, toppings and cheeses — almost all ingredients are prepared in-house. “Would you like our signature sandwich?” Glen offers customers overwhelmed by all imaginable combinations. He is referring to “The Bird” — a fan-favourite combo of rotisserie chicken, cranberry mayo and cranberry chutney. As good as it sounded, I decided to do my own thing.
I ended up building a hefty sandwich of rotisserie chicken, aged white cheddar cheese, some vegetables and three types of sauces (chipotle, garlic and honey habanero). After all, this is the ideal place to experiment. Sidenote: for those looking for gluten-free options, they have an entire section dedicated to it.
When I returned to the table, Wendy laughed and asked whether Glen had “talked my ear off”.
“He tends to do that,” she says, “but that’s why people love him.”
And it felt like part of the experience. If I had wanted a quick, impersonal meal, I could have gone through a fast-food drive-thru. That is not what Patricia Street Deli offers. Here, you are welcomed into a family of people who love food as much as a good conversation. It feels like the kind of place that remembers your name by the third visit — and probably your order too.
Their Kindness Sandwich Program also helps people feel welcomed. This initiative helps anyone facing financial barriers get a meal, no questions asked — anyone can pay it forward by paying for a Kindness Sandwich that can be redeemed by someone in need.
That is why people keep coming back: the sense of belonging. “This past weekend we had people drive from Jasper just to have a bite of one of our sandwiches,” Kreklewetz told me. “There have also been times when someone from Jasper has looked at their order and started crying.”
It is not just the nostalgia that moves Jasperites — though finally being reunited with the sub that was once part of their routine certainly plays a role. It is also the understanding of everything this team had to overcome to rebuild and stand on their feet again.
Patricia Street Deli
Queen Mary Park | 10567 111 St NW, Edmonton | patriciastreetdeli.ca
