Buzzy's Luncheonette

Me and my family had some really good sandwiches

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great sammich and the sour pickles are DEADLY!!! So good!!!! There is also a decent amount of seating outside! ☺️

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Delicious sandwiches, can't wait to come back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Amazing food. We got the classic. It was perfect.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Best sandwich ever

I don’t usually write reviews. But every now and then, something stops you in your tracks—something so undeniably good, so full of heart, that you feel compelled to tell the world. That’s exactly what happened when I walked into Buzzy’s and tried the sandwich.

It’s hard to know where to begin when describing a sandwich like this one. You could talk about the ingredients: thick ribbons of hand-cut pastrami, so tender it practically sighs as you bite into it, layered with juicy corned beef that’s rich, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. You could describe the fresh rye bread, speckled with caraway seeds, with a crust that crunches ever so slightly before giving way to the soft, warm interior. Or maybe the mustard—sharp, tangy, and unapologetically bold, a true complement to the smoky meats. The whole thing is a symphony. A sensory overload. The kind of sandwich that silences a conversation, that makes your eyes close and your shoulders drop because, yes—this is that good.

But to focus only on the sandwich would be missing half the story. Because Buzzy—the man behind the counter, behind the magic—is a huge part of what makes this place so special.

Buzzy is a force of nature. From the moment you walk in, his presence fills the room—not in an overpowering way, but in the way a cozy fire fills a cold cabin. He’s got this spark in his eyes, a quick wit that makes you laugh even when you weren’t expecting to, and a smile that makes you feel like you’ve known him for years. He greets regulars by name, newcomers with genuine excitement, and treats everyone like they’re his favorite customer.

Watching him work is a kind of performance art. He slices meat with the precision of someone who respects his craft, but he moves with the comfort and confidence of a man who’s done this a thousand times and still loves every second of it. There’s a kind of joy in the way Buzzy runs his shop that you don’t see often anymore. It’s not just a place to grab food—it’s a place to feel something. Nostalgia, comfort, hunger, happiness. All of it.

And the sandwich? It’s not just a meal. It’s a gesture. A story. A bite of tradition wrapped in love and personality. You can taste the care in every ingredient, the years of trial and error, the pride in doing things the right way—no shortcuts, no gimmicks, just real food made by someone who gives a damn.

What struck me most, though, was how much personality this sandwich has. It’s not bland, it’s not safe—it’s bold, confident, loud in the best way. It’s the kind of sandwich that demands you eat it with both hands. The kind that you remember later, days later, and still smile about. It’s food that leaves a mark—not just on your taste buds, but in your heart.

And after finishing it (yes, every last bite), I just sat back and thought: This is what food is supposed to be. Not just nourishment, but experience. Soul. Joy. A human connection between the person who made it and the person who gets to eat it. And in that way, Buzzy isn’t just making sandwiches—he’s building tiny moments of happiness, one plate at a time.

If you’re anywhere near this place, go. Go hungry, go with friends, go ready to be delighted. Shake Buzzy’s hand, smile back, and treat yourself to one of the best sandwiches you’ll ever have. You’ll leave full, yes—but also reminded of what makes food, and people, so beautiful when done right.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Hungry Jew Sandwich

Best place to get food on island. Top notch

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Hungry Jew Sandwich

Buzzy did a splendid job on my hungry Jew.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Hungry Jew Sandwich

Old Skool brisket sandwich was incredible. Visiting from London and staff were very friendly and chatty. Would highly recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Not much a sandwich guy, but i would eat here every day for lunch

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Best sandwich of my life!!! They even gave our puppies a treat!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This sandwich puts all other sandwiches to shame. Incredibly tasty.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Had heard great things about this place. Food was just good, not as amazing as we heard. Service was odd, the guy at the counter told us we couldn’t have the slaw on the side, only on or off the sandwich. He then offered a side of slaw for an extra 3$. I’m sure this “take it as it is” attitude may be funny to some, but I see it as a way to take advantage of people. Charging 3$ to put the slaw on the side is practically theft. Extremely disappointed in this establishment and will not be back.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 3

We tried the Couples Set. If you're really hungry, you should go for the Hungry Jew—it has a more balanced flavor. Both are great smoked meat sandwiches though. I’m definitely coming back to this shop every time I visit Salt Spring Island.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Outstanding. Honestly the best smoked meat I've had in Canada outside of Montreal.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5