Minerva Mediterranean Deli

Frankly I’m surprised this place is still in business with Parthenon, their far better competitor, across the street. I’ve been here a few times and tried a few things now but I won’t be returning. Most of the items behind the glass look rather unappealing, but I can say that the tzatziki and artichoke dip are good, as are the spinach and cheese pies. The baklava is delicious as well. But the Greek salad was not fresh, the tomatoes tasted soggy and old — gross! It was also given to me without vinaigrette. The atmosphere of the store itself is dark and dingy. But the main reason I am writing this review is because of the owner. She is probably the most unfriendly person I’ve ever come across while being helped at a business. She should not be working the counter or in customer service at all. Twice when I’ve been in there and she’s helped me, I have offered some friendly light conversation while she’s ringing me up and she only nods to acknowledge that she’s heard me with a straight face and no response. I find her cold unfriendly attitude so insulting I will never spend my money here ever again. I suggest you go to Parthenon across the street, the food and selection is FAR better, the atmosphere is clean and bright, and your business will be appreciated.

Came in here for the Gyro and Fries special for $ 6.00. I really thought the Gyro was alright. The fries were only so-​so, I don’t think they cooked it long enough. This place showed reminded me of being in old Greece, it had all these interesting things stocked on the shelves.
I also had one of their non alcoholic beers which was… very malty. (It didn’t taste like beer. But it tasted pretty alright.)
It’s an interesting place and worth checking out.

This place is simply dreadful and the owner is what’s politely called a Piece of Work-she’s So Nasty even her daughters and her sister won’t work for her-​they all quit.
Mouldy Olives, mouldy Spanakopita, bread like a rock you name it this place has it all @ the highest prices in Kits.
Sometime the cooked food isn’t bad but I stopped buying it because it’s just a matter of time…

gyro + fries: amazing.
bought the «minerva dip» which was also great.
def. a repeat customer from now on.
#kitsliving

I have to come here more often to test out things!
I stopped in really quickly to get some pine nuts to make pesto. I walked out with more than a cup’s worth for $ 14, which is about ½ the price I’d end up paying for that amount at IGA.
The woman who was serving me was very nice and grandmotherly. She taught me how to say Merry Christmas in Greek (kala hristuyenna, I think?) and I told her «Efharistos» (thanks). She was very pleased that I knew a little Greek and fondly wished me a great weekend.
Such a friendly deli!

I’ve never been to Greece but I felt like perhaps I got a glimpse of it when I stepped into Minerva’s Deli.
I first discovered this place by accident at Christmas. It was just oozing with amazing smells. I walked through the door and was transported into another place. As much as I wanted to sit down and enjoy some of the creations I didn’t want to endure the line-​up. Apparently this is a very popular spot.
I was hankering something Mediterranean for lunch this weekend and Minerva was the place. Greek salads are so tasty to me and they create one that will make you feeling very happy. For $ 5.95 I got a heaping salad with the most amazing feta and lots of it. I would be tempted to go back and get the large to go and serve it at a dinner party rather than making my own.
I couldn’t walk away without buying some hummus and house made pita. I have yet to try either but no doubt they will keep me going back.
YUMMY! Great way to start my 2012 resolution to eat my way through Vancouver.

Mizithra cheese in small plastic containers in the back $ 7.95 was the start of my review on my i-​phone as I stood in the back of the store between the olive bar and the herbs and spices.
We came in asking for Mizithra cheese at the cheese counter, not having seen what we were looking for.
She didn’t know what we were asking for and was about to ask the person up at the front about it. On our way around to the front, we walked back to the refridgeration units on the back wall and found almost what we were looking for.
Mizithra cheese, but grated in a plastic container. So yeah, I kinda found what I wanted to get.
Mizithra cheese is not very popular. I used to get it at Save-​On and then they decided not to carry it anymore. So it was only on Commercial or here.
Luckily I found it here. Now I can make my favourite pasta dish. Mizithra cheese in brown butter sauce with oregano and chili’s on spaghettini.
A twist of the dish made famous by the Old Spaghetti factory.
Walking in here was like stepping out of Vancouver and into a portal to Greece. It felt like if we had walked out the back door, we’d be in the Mediteranean.
Lovely charm and the olive and feta cheese bar is something you just can’t miss out on.
There is food that you can order and dine in or take out as well.
And they serve breakfast.

I imagined myself somewhere in the Mediterranean… lost in a busy local deli, enthralled by exotic food items, soaking in the culture.
Snap. I bought some kalamata olives and tahini, and went on my merry way.

One of the best gyros in town plus a huge selection of Greek groceries.

Great place!
I buy my low fat fetta cheese there and it is great!
Very tasty and for about 250 gr I pay 3 $ not bad.
Service is friendly enough and they have tons of things to offer.
olives, bread, spices, dips etc
Great shop, MUST GO THERE.

This is my Olive Oil dealer in Vancouver.
We go through a few gallons a year, and Minerva’s is definitely the best value for money for decent Extra Virgin.
Just be cautious of the best before date. I was almost burned once for not checking. You have been warned.

I decided to make a Greek dinner for my friend who lives near here for her birthday. I can’t believe this wasn’t the first place I thought of looking. Some, if not most, of their products are actually cheaper than you’d find in a regular grocery store like Safeway.
They sell some awesome Greek pitas, and delicious homous.
I’ll have to come back for the gyros.

I dunno why people hyped up their gyro it’s not even real meat, it’s processed. Te tzatziki is great though.

Wow! How did I forget to write about the gyros? First, I love that it feels like you’re walking into another little Mediterranean world inside Minervas. I’m never sure if they understand what I’m ordering, but whatever they give me inside that big pocket is always delicious.
An un-​rainy day, it must be said that sitting on the terrace, eating my gyro and people watching, is one of my favourite things to do on West Broadway. Especially when they load up my gyro with lots of sauce and I’m simultaneously smirking at the cyclists on the sidewalk or someone trying to parallel park while dripping sauce all down my chin!
Oh, and about the EVOO, make sure you check that expiry date :-)

My girlfriend drives 20 minutes to get her Feta and dolmathes here. The deli-​style store imports the best olives, feta cheese, dry-​goods and other traditional Greek and Mediterranean goods not available anywhere else. The store is very spacious and I think most of Kitsilano and the Greek community shops here. During the summer, it’s one of the best spots to watch the Greek festival from. Very reasonably priced goods, friendly service and a vibrant community.