Siskiyoutopia

Another Yreka business that has been around for a long time. When I first moved to Yreka I had a temp job at a business across the way from Klander’s Deli. I thought the place was pretty curious looking - kind of a funny old building, off the main drag. I never saw any ads for the place and I was a little nervous about eating there, so I finally asked one of my co-workers if it was good. They said, “yeah!”, as if I was a moron for even asking.

Klander’s Deli is one of those ‘locals only’ kind of places. It’s the only real deli in town and the oldest deli in town. Ondia Durovichic, the owner, says the deli began in 1970. The Klander’s name comes from Marge Klander and her son Bob who lived above the deli. Ondia has some charming stories about the Klander’s.

She wrote to me, “I know that our old Coke salesman Bob would always leave the light on in the back room & one day I asked him about it & he said that he was leaving the light on for his old drinking buddy Bob Klanders and felt his presence. Marge would give you a big candy bar if you brought her your report card with a 3point average.”

Old or new, they’re sandwiches are really good and they are made really fast almost all the time - I love that!

Some of the sandwiches are named after particular people such as the Bobs - named after Bob Klander - ham, turkey, roast beef, swiss, lettuce, mayo and mustard on a french roll. Mikes named after Mike that worked for Siskiyou Distributing (the company that started the deli) - roast beef, corned beef, ham, cheddar, onion, dill, tomato, lettuce, mayo, mustard, italian dressing on a french roll. My personal favorite is the Joes - roast beef, provolone, horseradish, mayo and pepperoncinis on sourdough then have them heat it up! I don’t know who Joe was but he came up with a really good combination for a sandwich!

Klander’s is definitely the place to go when you are downtown and need a QUICK lunch. You get you’re sandwich in that classic brown paper bag too. Sometimes I expect to find a note from my mom inside - like being in school:) So fun! And don’t forget the iced tea - the best in town. They make it the old fashioned way brewed fresh everyday.