by Kortney L. Shapiro

Fresh off the plane in La Belle Province and all I could think about was a meaty sandwich on rye and a fat pickle. Note to self: one should never wear a crisp white American Vintage shirtdress when biting into a 3 inch-high smoked turkey sandwich smeared with mustard.

Even if you’re not a meat connoisseur, anyone really (aside from those at PETA and vegetarian ladies) can appreciate that salivate-worthy feeling of biting into a fresh Montreal smoked meat sandwich. As the oldest deli in Canada, Schwartz’s has made for itself as a leader in delivering a true deli experience to Montréal since 1928. No wonder the lines are long. As their slogan reads: “No Preservatives – Only Tradition – Smoked Daily”. Schwartz’s is a Montreal experience in itself.

With its small interior and clustered-together diner tables, the deli is a room full of good friends and family members who all congregate to enjoy in a little piece of the past–on rye or white bread. Care to know of those who have graces the white walls of Schwartz’s with their presence? Included in the long list are Céline Dion, Halle Berry, Angelina Jolie and The Rolling Stones. Groovy, huh? Unfortunately however, after an evening of too many dry martinis and dancing your ass off at some Plateau dive bar, Schwartz’s will not be there to sooth your temperamental appetite as it closes shortly after dinnertime.

Nevertheless, do not fret, for you can always walk on over to the St.-Laurent meat bar any day and grab yourself an order of extra fatty corned beef on rye with a side of coleslaw and a Kosher pickle. Oh, and do order a classic cherry soda to wash it down or the waiter will give you a sermon regarding the fact that you are not going to get the true Schwartz’s experience sans cherry cola. Nota bene: Show up before noon or be met with a very long, yet worth-it line.

Schwartz’s Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen: 3895 blvd Saint-Laurent. Tel: (514) 842-4813