Strode’s has been serving Brantford and the surrounding area since 1937 – and it is certain that with a 78 year history they’ve been doing something wonderfully right since the beginning.
Brian Witteveen from Strodes said it’s a very simple answer. “Service. That is why they come. They can get this stuff anywhere but they get the best service right here.”
Customers can come into the deli with a custom order, looking for the cut and size they need and Strodes has butchers on staff to prepare what they need, how they need it and when. Brian said, “The butcher has three times the quality you will find anywhere else; perfectly aged beef, pork, chicken. It’s better quality, end of story.”
Strode’s is also home to the most talked about deli counter in the entire city of Brantford. Homemade lunches cooked from scratch are served from 11am-5pm Monday to Friday and from 11am – 3pm on Saturdays. Most days the lunch hour line up heads straight out the front door.
Brian said the notable favourite is the Chicken Schnitzel on a Bun – however other delicious options, such as Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Pierogis, Cabbage Rolls and Lasagna are also hot and ready throughout the week.
Staff at Strodes have also taken to giving back to the community, supporting a number of organizations from the Brantford Red Sox to the Sanderson Centre – and even hosting the annual Chilly Willi Chilli Cook-Off in Harmony Square each year.
Brian said participating in supporting the City of Brantford has been intentional throughout the years. “You gotta give back to your community or you don’t survive.”
Strodes is also involved with the Six Nations community, supporting racing at the Ohsweken Speedway and participating in catering for events on the territory. Sausages and hamburgers for the Thru the Red Door Community Awareness Week event were graciously donated by Strodes Deli where over 250 visitors were served.
Catering is a big part of the business. For about $15 per person Strodes can provide a full turkey dinner for your group event. Other catering options from Salads to Pasta to Roast Beef are also available. Catering menus can be found on their website at www.strodes.ca.
If you’re looking to do your own cooking and experience the full aesthetic of becoming the BBQ master or your family grill, Strodes is definitely the place to glean some BBQ wisdom. Not only do they carry a line of award winning rubs, sauces, smokers, wood chips and barbecues to check out. But Strodes boasts a long history of barbecue championship titles – they are one of the invited to the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennesessee for the Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational Barbecue.
Strodes BBQ and Deli has two locations in Brantford – the Main Location/Butcher Counter is at 403 Fairview Drive in Brantford and is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm; Saturdays 8am to 6pm. Strodes Express is located downtown at 117 Market Street and is open Monday to Thursday from 11am to 6pm and on Fridays 11am to 5pm. For specials and to keep connected check out their Facebook page or visit their website at www.strodes.ca.
