Schwartz's Deli (Montréal, QC)

3895 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Montréal, Québec
514.842.4813
website

Schwartz's is a Montréal institution. In terms of food, Montréal is known for its smoked meat and bagels. Schwartz's is where you find the best smoked meat. Montréal smoked meat consists of smoked beef briskets. Similarly in the US, New York has pastrami. I have never tried pastrami so I can't comment on the difference. My understanding is that additives are added to pastrami meat to cure it while smoked meat is just... smoked! At any deli counter across Canada, you can buy Montréal smoked meat but it never tastes the same as back home, just like Montréal bagels at groceries store which taste like bread shaped like a donut.



Whenever I've been to Schwartz's, there's been a waiting line outside. My sister L and I didn't wait too long, maybe 15 minutes or so. The restaurant itself is very small and they seat as many people as they can. We got the farthest table tucked in a corner. The walls are adorned with pictures of celebrities and reviews. Like I said, it's an institution!



You have to have your smoked meat with a black cherry soda so I ordered a Cott. My sister likes her smoked meat with a side of pickles ($1.60) and we got an order of fries ($2.65) to share (rather, I ate most of it!). You can't beat diner fries that are freshly fried in house.



L and I decided to order smoked meat sandwiches. L ordered the lean smoked meat ($5.90). The very high stack of meat is sandwiched between two slices of thick rye bread, and served with mustard. There are bottles of mustard if you want to add more.



I ordered the medium smoked meat which came marbled with fat. Eating a smoked meat sandwich is a messy endeavour but definitely worth it.



They also sell beef briskets and you can even hire someone to slice it at parties.



Schwartz's also sells smoked turkey sandwiches and you can even order smoked turkeys for $6.49 for Thanksgiving! I've already written it twice but Schwartz's is a Montréal instituation so you must visit if you are in Montréal.

Deli Snowdon

5265 Décarie Boulevard
Montréal, Québec
514.488.9129
website

Montréal is reknown for a few dishes: bagels, poutine and smoked meat. On my last full day in Montréal, my mom, my sister and I went out for lunch and had smoked meat at Snowdon Deli. Most Montrealers would agree that the best smoked meat is from Schwartz's Deli. However, we were near Deli Snowdon and their smoked meat is pretty good too!

My mom does not like many Western dishes. It does not help that she does not like dairy food, so she won't eat anything with cheese or butter. Luckily, this does not exclude smoked meat and fries. She actually really enjoys it. I remember when my sister and I were young, she would bring home smoked meat sandwiches from a deli nearby.


Snowdon Deli.

My sister ordered chicken soup with Matzo ball ($3.50) - I'm a bad food blogger, I forgot to take a picture. I was even about to bite into my sandwich when my mom asked whether I was taking a picture... My sister L said the Matzo ball was good but the chicken broth tasted like it came from a package. We ordered two servings of smoked meat, lean and regular, cooked in the traditional style, one order of fries and one order of dill pickles. I did not order the lean meat because I have had it when it is too dry; my mom and sister said it was good though. Smoked meat is always piled ridiculously high; I cannot open my mouth that wide. The meat is well seasoned with its particular spices and very moist. SO good!!


Smoked meat sandiwch, $5.30. On the left is the lean meat and right is regular, on rye bread.


The fries were excellent, crispy on the inside, soft on the inside!