Schwartz's

Schwartz's is like the Montreal equivalent of NYC's Katz's Delicatessen. Naturally, it's on every tourist's must-try list and it's also one place that commonly gets mentioned by locals when you ask them for good food to try in Montreal. :) Opened in 1928, it's a Hebrew deli that is also apparently the oldest Deli in the whole of Canada and has been frequented by tons of famous people (including Tim Allen, The Rolling Stones, Celine Dion, Angelina Jolie...you get the picture).



I've had the chance to try both but it's definitely hard to come to a conclusion regarding which one's better for their smoked meat sandwiches. First of all, I tried Katz's like 4 or 5 years ago. Can't quite remember what it tasted like though I do remember being VERY pleased with the soft, salty meat in my Katz's sandwich. So in retrospect, I might be inclined to say that the Schwartz's sandwich I tried wasn't as good as the one from Katz's because both the meat and the bread was more dry, requiring a bit more effort to chow down. But really, I think it all boils down to personal preference. As the saying goes, when in Rome, do as Romans do. When in Montreal, sink your teeth into a smoked meat sandwich at Schwartz's. When in NYC, make Katz's a stop on your culinary trail. They're different and just can't really be compared, much like apples vs oranges. I'm just glad we have both in the world! :D

Schwart'z (Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen) 

3895 St-Laurent Montreal, 

QC H2W 1X9, Canada 

(514) 842-4813

One great thing about eating at the counter at Schwartz's? You get a good view of everything that goes into the making of your sandwich. It's kinda scary to see how MASSIVE those chunks of smoked meats are before they're sliced to be put into sandwiches. And look at Mr. Muscle here easily lifting both up. Kudos to him! Which reminds me, he insisted I send him the photos to the Schwartz's corporate email. ;p I wonder if he'd find it strange if I sent it now...coming to about 3 months after being there. We'll see.