Schwartz's - Montréal

If you are visiting Montreal and have never tried smoked meat you gotta go to Schwartz's. You will never be able to eat any other smoked meat other than Schwartz's and you will have to move to Montreal. This place is gonna give you the one defining moment of your life. For a second you will close your eyes and enjoy being able to taste the smoked goodness. It melts in your mouth, it tastes like something out of this world. This place is one of the most important dining attractions in Montreal you have to go to. That's how we found it, and we are happy to be able to enjoy it now, lucky us we live in Montreal. Every time someone comes to visit us here, we bring them to Schwartz's. There is a documentary made about Schwartz's now. Probably many documentaries, we have seen TV crews a couple of times we have been there. They make this smoked meat using a secret recipe in an old smokehouse. It is a Romanian version of smoked meat, the better version. The other grocery store variety is a disgrace. They also have amazing fries, coleslaw, cherry coke, and half sour pickles you have to have there, but we really go for the smoked meat. In a nutshell, if you are going to pass on this opportunity to experience Montreal, you are going to miss out. This place is easy to find there is always a lineup outside. It speaks for itself. When there is a lineup, that tells you something. The place is old fashioned, there is not much space, it feels like you stepped into the past century when you are in there, but the servers will gladly accommodate you by putting away your baby stroller, or placing you in a seat that will suit you well. Don't forget to take some smoked meat to go half a pound will last you a week for quick pick me ups for lunch and midnight snack. Don't call for reservations, just line up and enjoy! (I have just realized that next time I go there the line will be much longer). The restaurant is inexpensive. Great for lunch. A meal for 2 adults and 2 kids usually costs about $30. Sandwiches are $4 50. Enjoy!

The service, the food is good, but frankly I think when we pay the meal in cash, it is ok to give tip at the table. When went to next door to take out...

Waited in line for no more than 5 minutes had the beef sandwich and fries and it was delicious. When in Rome I guess you just gotta visit the place. Very busy place!

Their famous Smoke Meat sandwich has in my opinion gone down drastically. Ordered a regular fat meat, because lean is too dry. Way too much fat, stringey meat. Very disappointed. The French Fries were very good $13.50 a sandwich, there are many more great smoke meat deli restaurants. I feel the place has become more a tourist trap than a good smoke meat deli.

We had heard a lot about this old-school kosher-style deli that has been a Montreal institution since 1928 so we had to try it for ourselves. We got there about about 5:30 and there was a line out front. We waited about 10 minutes for a table. Sitting is family style and they all every seat. Pie of the people we were seated with lives in Montreal. She said most of the people who eat here are from out of town, like the friends she brought there. I'd recommend the $13.50 1/2 pound smoked meat sandwich. Think corned beef, just don't call it that. You might as well order some poutine while you're at it. It's crowded, but worth it.