Bearwolf PNW Deli and Catering — Restaurant in Salem

I've been wanting to try Bearwolf for a while, and I'm so happy I finally got the chance!

I ordered delivery through a third-party delivery app. I left special instructions on each sandwich (two of which were just asking for extra onions), but the third was for my son, who is undergoing chemotherapy and what sounded good to him was just ham and mayo...nothing else. Josh called me (through the delivery app) to ask if I wanted his coppa ham or if my son would prefer regular ham (not his, but still good quality). After he explained the differences between the two, I decided on the regular ham (I'm looking forward to trying the coppa ham next time on my sandwich). Josh promised to make a great sandwich for my son, and he delivered on that promise. My son was thrilled and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Now, to the meat of my review (haha, I amuse myself sometimes). My husband ordered the Ultimate Combo, and I ordered the Chicky Chicky Bang Bang, along with one potato salad and one mac salad. Taking the picture for my review was the longest wait of my life. First, I tried the mac salad and then the potato salad. Both were equally delicious and bursting with flavor. We decided to split our sandwiches so we could each have half. I started with Chicky Chicky Bang Bang.....absolutely delicious! The meats are moist and flavorful. The produce was fresh and crisp, and the spreads were to die for. I inhaled my half of the sandwich. Lastly, but certainly not least, it was time for me to try the Ultimate Combo. Simply put, it was delicious. But there was so much more to it than that. Each bite was the perfect combo (haha, still amusing myself) of balanced deliciousness. There was a slight kick to the sauce, which really brightened the sandwich up and those pickles.....which I'm assuming were housemade, offered a bit of sweetness that paired beautifully with the meats, sauces and fresh veggies.

Bottom-line: I will be back for more and soon! I'm thinking tomorrow since it's Friday for the pastrami special.

A slight takeaway from my experience: order an extra sandwich for later. Trust me, you'll be thanking me later. I didn't do it this time, and we ate everything, so I'll be taking my own advice going forward.

Anyone visiting Salem should definitely try Bearwolf during their stay. This is an amazing...

Bearwolf PNW Deli and Catering may not catch your eye at first glance, but this unassuming sandwich shop is all about delivering exceptional food. Recommended by a friend, I wasn’t sure what to expect walking in. The setup is simple, just a counter showcasing deli meats and a chalkboard menu listing what’s available that day. But don’t let the humble decor fool you; the real star here is in the food.

I visited on a Friday, which happens to be the day they serve their house made pastrami. Thick cut and incredibly tender, this pastrami is nothing short of legendary. It’s easily the best I’ve ever had, perfectly seasoned, juicy, and packed with flavor. But be warned… It’s so popular that it sells out fast, so get there early if you want to try it!

I also ordered the Italian sandwich, and it was an absolute game changer. The meats were flavorful, the veggies were fresh, and the bread struck the perfect balance between crusty and soft. I don’t know if they’ve got a wizard in the back casting flavor enhancing spells, but whatever magic they’re using, it works. It’s clear they put thought and care into every ingredient, creating sandwiches that stand out from the crowd.

Bearwolf isn’t flashy, but it doesn’t need to be. What it lacks in decor, it more than makes up for in flavor, quality, and authenticity. If you’re in the area, do yourself a favor and stop by. This is one of those rare spots where every bite reminds you why small, local delis are worth supporting. I’m already planning...

There are two places in Downtown-ish Salem to go for a great sandwich: This is one of them (you can go find the other one; it starts with a "V").

Got the Sticky-Bird, which is turkey, cheddar, tomato, a sweet tomato-jam, and mayo. There could be other ingredients too, but these are the ones I could identify.

The bread (torpedo-style, so this was like a sub) upon which the sandwich was served was outstanding. I think it was house made, but I am not positive. It was perfect. Soft on the inside, crispy on the outside.

The combination of the ingredients in the sandwich worked really well. It tasted somewhat sweet, but balanced nicely with the stronger flavors coming from the turkey and cheddar. I've never really had anything like it, which makes it special (at least it does to me, ha!). I also tend to favor more savory-tasting sandwiches too, so this is especially high praise.

It is not a cheap sandwich, but you get what you pay for, and this was...