 | Montreal Schwartz's Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 25 |  |
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I was so disappointed by Ben's I thought we just have to try Schwartz's to see how it compares. So after eating that HUGE portion of poutine at La Banquiese, we headed over to Schwartz's for our last meal in Montreal. It was about 2:45 pm when we arrived and although they were busy, there wasn't a huge line like I expected. Perhaps the key to eating here is to go a little off normal lunch and dinner hours. We sat at the counter, good thing as our first sandwich arrived and it was slathered with yellow mustard, the most fiendish of condiments. Our server caught my sandwich before it was delivered and changed it to sans mustard, WHEW! I happily gazed upon my sandwich before inhaling it, now this was a SANDWICH! One of the guidebooks suggested this was a bit of a tourist trap but I have to disagree as my definition of a true tourist trap is overpriced, underwhelming food. Although I wouldn't have wanted to wait in a long line with all the terrific options for food in Montreal, it's definitely a place worth a visit. Just be sure not to go at peak lunch and dinner time, Schwartz's is a much smaller restaurant than Ben's. On the up side though, the sandwiches are so good that you practically inhale them so the turnover of tables is pretty darn fast, this isn't a linger over your meal kind of place.
The sandwich here was SOOOOO much better than the ones we had at Ben's, the meat more like corned beef, spices coating the edges, juicy, plenty of fat, stacked high like a real sandwich should be, I had meat falling out all over the place. Our server asked us if we wanted dry or moist, I assume now that means with a lot of fat or not, I went for the moist. Order with a cherry coke for the authentic experience. YUM! You can also opt for the low carb version (ha, ha) and get a HUGE plate of smoked meat without the bread. Also, you can get smoked meat to go, I'm pretty sure US Customs would snatch it away though if they knew we had it. And then they'd probably eat it ;-) Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: 3895 St. LaurentWebsite: http://www.schwartzsdeli.com/index2.html
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| | | | Schwartz's: Undoubtedly the BEST SMOKED MEAT in MONTREAL!! | Tip Rating:  | | | | |
Unargueably the best smoked meat in town, in Canada, perhaps the world. And no, it's not corned beef, and it's not pastrami either (*gasp*! to call it such is almost blasphemous!!) - so good in fact, that people from all over the world have it shipped out and tourists usually end up taking at least a pound or so home with them. This place won't win any awards for decor, ambience or cozy atmosphere - in fact, expect to be sitting elbow-to-elbow at the linoleum tables, or if your lucky, you may get a seat at the bar-stool deli counter - that is, if you don't mind waiting in line first. Space is tight, but probably what adds to the unique atmosphere of this all night deli. Renamed "Charcuterie Hebraique de Montreal, Inc" (due to the provincial government's restrictive language laws) - most locals simply refer to this long-standing Montreal icon as "Schwartz's". I am convinced tourists and locals alike all return to Schwartz's for their fix of smoked meat the way muslim pilgrims return to mecca. I watched in amazement from a restaurant window across the street one summer night in July - as limousines, taxis, family vans, bus drivers, all pulled up at the door and waited patiently to order one of these succulent smoked meat sandwiches.
Succulent tender smoked meat rubbed with black peppercorns to give it that special and unique taste, sandwiched between two fresh slices of rye bread, mustard served on the side.. When in Montreal - do as Montrealers do: the order of the day is a smoked meat sandwich, served with fries and a dill, with Cott's black cherry cola. Yummm... ahhh.. ambrosia!!! Leave a Comment Theme: DeliPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: 3895 St-LaurentPhone: (514) 842-4813Directions: In the multi-cultural and ethnically diverse strip known as St- Laurent Blvd! From downtown, hop on the metro and get off at St-Laurent metro station, then take the 55 bus northWebsite: http://www.schwartzsdeli.com/
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| | | | Schwartz's: Schwartz's: "The Oldest Deli in Canada" | Tip Rating: Satisfaction: | | | | |
People lineup patiently outside to get in as though waiting to get into a trendy nightclub. Once inside, Schwartz's looks more like the floor of a stock exchange than your run-of-the-mill deli. People occupy absolutely all the tables, every stool at the counter is taken by people eating large sandwiches; standing room only. And it's still crowded! A waiter fights his way through the throng of people to ask, "How many?" He leads me and my companions to a table that unbelievably has a few empty seats and we find ourselves sitting with three complete strangers. That's how it works at Schwartz's--the deli is so popular that there's no room for pretension, so you sit down wherever seats are available. Like it's primary smoked-meat competitor, Ben's, Schwartz's has changed very little since it was first opened in 1927 by Reuben Schwartz. Schwartz was a Jewish immigrant from Romania, and his restaurant, a single white-tiled room containing several rows of long narrow tables, has been in the same location on Saint-Laurent Boulevard since its inception. Schwartz's prepares its smoked meat using a secret blend of fine herbs and spices; the meat is marinated for 10 days. The sandwiches and fries are great! The meat is warm and tender; it has a little more consistency and chew than the meat at Ben's Deli. So who eats at this small blue-collar diner? Halle Berry, Angelina Jolie, Tim Allen, Jerry Lewis, Guy Lafleur, Celine Dione, Jean Chretien, and the Rolling Stones---just to name a few.
They will recommend their specialty to newcomers: A smoked meat sandwich, fries, and a black cherry soda. Do order a kosher pickle to go along with your meal! Leave a Comment Theme: DeliPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: 3895 Boul. St-Laurent, MontrealPhone: (514) 842-4813Website: http://www.schwartzsdeli.com
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| | | | Schwartz's: Da Best Smoked Meat ! | Tip Rating: Satisfaction: | | | | |
I used to live right by that restaurant so would stop there whenever I can. It's opened very long hours so you can go at almost anytime. The restaurant is tiny. No reservation and no chatting for hours in there... The 60yrs-old ave staff will make you feel like it's time to get out... You don't go there for service or atmosphere, you go there for the food. I'm quite impressed that although the place is so popular, they always kept themselves from opening a big flashy restaurant instead of their tiny place. MY TRICK: Skip the line up, go directly for "take-out", then walk up to Parc Jeanne Mance and have a relax meal there !! TRICK#2: Did you know that they ship abroad !? If you love their smoked meat, they will ship it to your house, send them a fax at: 514-842-0800, they will indicate you the procedure.
Smoked Meat of course: Order the extra pickle, fill the sandwich with an ocean of mustard and enjoy. Their smoked meat is 10X better than the one at Reuben's or Ben's. Most places in Montreal get their Smoked Meat from the same vendor, not Schwartz. Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: 3895 St-laurent, MontrealPhone: 514-842-4813Directions: Walk up St-Laurent from Avenue des Pins. It's on your right.Website: http://www.schwartzsdeli.com/
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