14
March
80 years and still smokin’ at Schwartz’s Deli
Montreal's famous "shaved meat" at Schwartz's Jewish Deli

Montreal's famous "smoked meat" at Schwartz's Jewish Deli

New York has its corned beef. Philadelphia, its cheese steak.

But what to eat in Montreal, you may ask? That’s easy — smoked meat!

What exactly is “smoked meat” ?
Smoked meat is a Montreal tradition dating back well over 80 years. It’s pretty simple, really. It’s a kosher-style deli meat that is salted and cured with various spices. In the case of Montreal smoked meat, cracked pepper, coriander, and other spices are absorbed into a nice cut of beef brisket for at least a week.

English? Francais? Good thing this menu is bi-lingual!

What does it taste like and where can I get some?
It tastes amazing, tender and juicy, especially when served on rye and doused in plenty of mustard, and you can — and should — get your smoked meat fix at Schwartz’s Deli on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Montreal.

Of course, you may have to wait your turn in line behind the likes of Celine Dion, Angelina Jolie, and the Rolling Stones.

That’s right! Schwartz’s is so famous, it’s on the radar of pretty much everyone in town, tourists, locals, and celebrities alike. Expect to wait in line no matter what time of day. Plan your visit during off-hours for a shorter wait. No need for a reservation … everyone has to wait their turn.

Despite its popularity, Schwartz's still has a small-town, neighborhood deli vibe.

Why Schwartz’s?
Schwartz’s Hebrew Delicatessen is a Montreal institution. It’s reputation boasts the best smoked meat in town. We didn’t sample it anywhere else, so we cannot say for sure. We can say, however, that we were extremely impressed by the quality of food and service at Schwartz’s. Despite the cramped space and limited seating (even at 8:30 on a Wednesday night …), it still had the feeling of a small-town corner deli, and the staff were fast, friendly, and funny, too.

Schwartz’s was started by Reuben Schwartz (I know, Reuben, how ironic), a Jewish immigrant from Romania, in 1928. Since then it has maintained its old-fashioned traditions of marinating its briskets for 10 days, without the use of artificial chemicals, and then serving it up with mustard on rye to hungry customers who come from around the world.

We’re certainly glad we took the time to grab a bite at Schwartz’s for a little taste of the history of Montreal. We definitely recommend you check it out, too.

What’s the best sandwich you’ve ever tasted, and where can we get one ?

For more information, visit Schwart’z Deli.

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