Schwartz Deli: A Legendary Sandwich Worthy of Its Status
Long before finally making the trek to Montreal, I have heard of Schwartz’ Deli. I have seen the uber-popular eatery in a variety of foodie and travel shows as well as making appearances in YouTube channels dedicated to legendary restaurants. The legend of this deli was established after not only being one of the original Montreal spots to feature smoked meat, but would also potentially be the place that invented the steak seasoning that is now a Montreal cooking staple. I’m pretty sure any arson towards this building would be classified as terrorism, Montreal has a deep love for this spot.
Long before making my first visit, I have heard of what make this place shine, which was their smoked meat that goes through a very long process before becoming consumable to the dining customers. It is similar to pastrami, but the difference is the length of time required as well as the blend of spices being drastically different. Their signature dish is this meat topped with mustard and served on rye bread. That’s it, no cheese, no vegetables, just the meat and mustard.
Now, I am strictly anti-mustard with the exception of Cuban sandwiches in Florida because I should not veer away from its traditional setup. But, as I sat and ordered they recommended that it remains on the sandwich. I’m here for a good time and not to offend the Canadians, especially with a sandwich that’s so revered and beloved that customers and owners for decades have refused to see the place become a franchise.
The smoked meat sandwich is simple, delicate, massive, and absolutely worth the journey to find. Yes there are other sandwiches and sides, but the only reason to visit Schwartz is for the history, the vibes, and this killer sandwich. Whatever mustard they use works so well, doesn’t overpower the sandwich in the least bit, probably my favorite mustard spread I’ve ever had on a dish. It doesn’t need any enhancements whatsoever, its perfect; makes sense why this place has stood so tall for so long in the Montreal food scene.
And before you ask, yes I did return to order it a second time.
The traditional way to order is the sandwich, fries, the giant pickle, coleslaw, and black cherry soda. Both times I just had their beautifully monstrous sandwich with one side---fries the first time (good) and coleslaw the second time (also amazingly good). I spent a week in Montreal and wanted to spend every day taking some time to order that delicious work of art again, but that definitely would have prevented me from enjoying whatever else Montreal has to offer food-wise, as it’s a hearty dish that will keep you satisfied even during the coldest of Montreal winters.
I think some of you might expect a deeper dive into this place considering the history and popularity, but Schwartz is a very simple eatery with a simple sandwich that nonetheless manages to create complex and delicious flavors from its beef and mustard. Not a single grumpy face among the crowd, even as Montreal is getting buried in snow outside. This deli has my strongest recommendation if you’re within 50 miles of the city. No excuses, the reputation is well-deserved, whether the praise is coming from a celebrity chef or a wandering traveler like myself.
