Inside one of Metro Vancouver's most popular sandwich shops
“Please don’t bring more customers for us,” said the husband and wife duo and owners of Dip Co. Sandwich, Simin and Amin Daniali, with a laugh when we popped by for a visit. They had admitted they were hesitant for us to even visit at the idea that they might receive a boost in customers, a problem that might be unique to the Deep Cove sandwich shop.
We visited Dip Co. on a sunny August morning, just half an hour before the team was preparing to open the doors. The interior feels like an escape to somewhere more European, with pastas and jars of sauces lining the shelves and a counter where they displayed the meats and cheeses they used in their sandwiches. It would be easy to get lost amongst these shelves.
If you’re looking to visit, we doubt you’ll have any problem finding the stores. But if you do, follow the smell of freshly baked bread wafting down the street. Or, alternatively, look for the mass of people outside, either waiting for a sandwich or digging into one right there along the street.
The most popular sandwich shop in North Vancouver (and maybe beyond)
It wasn’t even officially opening time yet when we stopped by Dip Co., and people were already trying to enter the restaurant, which is always a good sign. But that prompted us to ask: just how many sandwiches is Dip Co. serving a day?
Well, prepare for an answer that might shock you because it’s around 600, and the spot is only open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the team having to cut the line of hungry customers most days, mostly due to being sold out. For you math whizzes out there, that’s more than a sandwich a minute.
“Our philosophy is we have to enjoy the job,” said Simin. “Every single minute that the store is open, the two of us are here supervising, working, making sure that customers are satisfied. So, for us to be here all the time that the store is open, it’s a lot of effort that we put into this job.”
But it’s not just the husband and wife duo who are the ones behind all of these sandwiches. Both made sure to give plenty of praise to their staff when we chatted with them.
“We couldn’t have done it without their help for sure,” said Simin.
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High-quality ingredients make for one heck of a sandwich
Both Simin and Amin greeted us not only with open arms but also, and perhaps more importantly, the intent to feed us as much food as they possibly could. That’s because the duo are serious about the food, both when it comes to what they enjoy eating but also what they serve.
“We choose our travel destination based on the kind of food that we like to eat. So, I’m going to say we really appreciate good quality food ourselves and we want to pass that to our customers,” said Simin.
Despite having only opened four years ago, the duo shared that they’ve been in the trade of procuring and selling high-quality European ingredients for the last 25 years. So it’s safe to say that they know what they’re talking about.
But perhaps the most inspiring thing about our discussion with Simin and Amin was the way they described the humble sandwich.
“I love to make a sandwich and enjoy that process,” shared Simin. “It’s a piece of art. When you make a sandwich, it’s a piece of art.”
After just taking one bite of the sandwich, art seemed like the perfect descriptor for what we just experienced. Just watching Simin create the sandwich, laying each ingredient with care while making sure the sandwich had enough air, was a wonder to see. Talk about a man who has found his passion.
Marco Ovies/Dished
During our visit, we tried two of Dip Co.’s sandwiches, starting off with the Marseille, a sandwich whose history dates back before Dip Co., which was created entirely by accident after receiving some brie cheese from Marseille, France.
“Before opening the store, we actually experimented with some sauce,” said Simin. “Just putting ingredients together and trying many versions of what we had in mind. So I came up with a berry sauce, which is a mix of different kinds of berries and a few Iranian ingredients. Once we received the brie cheese from France, we decided that the sweetness of the sauce pairs very well with it.”
From there, Simin explained that he added crunchy items for some texture, and after experimenting, he settled on turkey as the protein option since it has a more subtle flavour.
“So this sandwich, yes, it was made by accident because we received good quality brie, but we also put a lot of thought into it,” he added.
Since then, the sandwich has remained on the menu to this day, and it continues to be one of Dip Co.’s most popular sandwiches (and one of our favourites too).
The combination of the slightly salty taste with the sweetness from the berry sauce, alongside the crunch from the onions and the creaminess of the brie, makes for one heck of a good sandwich. But it’s not just quality fillings that make Dip Co’s sandwiches so good, but it’s also the bread, which was invented by the team as well.
Marco Ovies/Dished
The bread is a combination of two cultures (much like many of the offerings on Dip Co.’s menu). Here, the team has created what they playfully call focabari, inspired by the Iranian barbari and the Italian focaccia.
“Focabari is a combination of the marriage between Italian and Iranian people,” explained Simin. “The base is whole wheat, rye bread, unbleached flour, and sourdough.”
Marco Ovies/Dished
The other sandwich we got to try was the Romano and Juliet, a nod to its use of pecorino romano cheese. It’s also topped with Italian porchetta, bocconcini cheese, tomato, mixed greens, olive oil, balsamic glaze, and basil sauce.
If you’re not a fan of the sweet and savoury combo, this is definitely more in the vein of a classic sandwich. Plus, just like every other sandwich on Dip Co.’s menu, it is stacked impressively high with toppings.
Romano and Juliet (Marco Ovies/Dished)
So, is Dip Co. worth the hype? In case it wasn’t obvious, we definitely think so. Larger-than-life sandwiches topped with high-quality, imported ingredients, while also fusing the best parts of different cultures, all make Dip Co. a must-visit spot when you’re in Deep Cove. But, if you’re still not convinced, go in and experience the sandwich magic for yourself. We’re sure Simin and Amin will give you the same warm welcome they passed on to us.
You can visit Dip Co. from Wednesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dip Co. Sandwich
Address: 4381 Gallant Ave., North Vancouver
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