OMW Uptown Market — Restaurant in Vancouver

In the evolution of the lowly Tuna melt sammy, OMW has reached a new pinnacle of perfection, a paragon of the palate!

So often disappointed by sloppy, bland and soggy tuna melts, I order one here with trepidation, but I had a hankering for that perfect package of culinary convenience known as the sandwich. A well thought out sandwich is one of ultimate foods. It can be carried with you on adventures into the wild. It can be tucked in a briefcase and carried into corporate battles. It can be simple or complex, basic or a work of art.

It takes us back to our childhoods when our mothers made them for our bagged lunches, or for summer’s days at the beach. They are the world wrapped in bread, a theme running through time, but infinite in its variations and possibilities.

And I was hungry.

So straight to the chase. This was one of the best Tuna melts sandwiches I’ve ever had. Fresh artisan bread, melted and crispy cheese making a savory barrier protecting the bread from becoming soggy and weak. And then there was the tuna salad filling, not too wet and not too firm, it had just a smidgen of bite to it… maybe a tiny bit of jalapeño mixed with the tuna and celery. Just a hint. It bumped the whole sandwich up a notch. Made it more interesting and memorable.

This is exactly what I want. The service was great, friendly and inviting, patient with my poor hearing and my sometimes distracted and ambling demeanor. Brilliant smile, one might even think the server was happy to be there. What a concept!

I felt welcome and unhurried, comfortable in the space, and the chai was delicious.

More places like this please! More friendliness, more real people who are actively part of the community! More peaceful places where you can get a sandwich and sit and ponder the universe. Or buy a bottle of wine and a loaf of good bread from the well curated micro market. I’d like to see them carry more, the selection seemed just a touch on the spare side, but I expect that aspect of the enterprise will grow with the community base.

But this is one of those secret places. One of those treasures you share with special friends.

Absolutely 5...

I should have paid more attention when I ordered their Mobster sandwich which is clearly described as a chopped salad made up of various cured meats instead of the traditional Italian sub I had in mind. To me, the chopped up meats lose their individual flavors, especially one with a distinctive bite to it like Soppressata. I also thought the store-bought tasting bread added nothing to the eating experience. A nice, chewy sourdough would have definitely elevated this sandwich beyond the ordinary.

7/22 Update My thanks to the owner for taking time to respond to my review. Clearly, this is a retailer who values...

Definitely my favorite "convenience store" in the downtown area. It's got a lot of little things you'd otherwise have to go to, say, a Costco or New Seasons/TJ's for (bulk section items, sauces, recipe ingredients) mixed with unique soft drinks and a lot of great cafe-style food offerings + treats. The chicken salad is top tier! 👏👏 I've only been in twice but each visit has been super positive; the owner seems like a sweetheart too. When people say "support local businesses" this is one that comes to mind immediately. It's a real gem, so stop in if you...