Monsieur Smoked Meat (Lerster's Deli or Mr Smoked Meat) is situated in the beautiful Outremont, on the north side of Mount Royal, in the heart of Montreal. Lesters Deli has maintained a reputation for serving some of the finest hot smoked meat sandwich in Montreal since 1951! Mr Smoked Meat also offers you delicious Montreal Smoked Meat, freshly cut, vacuum-sealed and ready to be heated whenever and wherever the craving arises.
Lester's Deli is consistently described as an authentic Montreal smoked meat landmark with a nostalgic, old school deli vibe, where the meat is often tender, richly smoked, and well seasoned, and moisture is balanced for a juicy bite; the atmosphere and friendly, sometimes personal, service add to the experience, though a few visits note that service can be slow when the place is busy. Reviewers appreciate the classic sides like pickles and coleslaw and many enjoyed the fries and poutine, while others found some portions lean or prices high, and a handful mentioned variability in meat texture. Overall, Lester's Deli is seen as a must visit for smoked meat lovers, delivering strong flavor, a sense of Montreal's deli heritage, and a welcoming ambiance that keeps customers returning.
We went to Lester's Deli, a historic Montreal restaurant located in Outremont that has been serving traditional smoked meat sandwiches since 1951, & they are celebrating their 75th anniversary this year. It is considered one of the top smoked meat spots in the city. We ordered the Smoked Meat Special & Smoked Meat Sandwich. The signature classic Montreal-style smoked meats were served with bread, yellow mustard, accompanied by a side of fries & whole dill pickles. It was a casual deli experience but the food tasted delicious & appetizing!
Lester's is a Montreal classic & I recommend anyone to go. The friendliness, humour, & relaxed enthusiasm was a great start to our trip. I loved how they guided us through ordering & their interactions with us. This coupled with the vintage interior is an experience on its own. Amazing customer experience. Ask about their house mustard!
The unfortunate part of Lester's was the smoked meat sandwich, in comparison to Schwartz's it's bland, the bread is bland, & the meat lacks punch & bite. The poutine was quite good so it brings the overall a bit higher
2.3/5
Sep 4, 2025
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Stepping inside feels like walking into a slice of local history-the walls adorned with photos, the friendly chatter of regulars, & that unmistakable aroma of freshly smoked meat drifting from the counter.
The service was warm & welcoming, the kind that makes you feel less like a customer & more like a guest in someone's home. I ordered their classic smoked meat sandwich, & it was everything I'd hoped for: tender, perfectly seasoned meat piled high on fresh rye bread, with just enough mustard to tie it all together. The portion was generous, the flavors bold, & every bite felt like a celebration of Montreal's deli tradition.
What I especially enjoyed was how authentic & unpretentious the whole experience was. It's a place where locals & tourists mingle easily, united by a shared love for great food. If you're exploring Montreal, Lester's Deli is not just a meal stop-it's a delicious piece of the city's cultural fabric that you shouldn't miss.
Lester's Deli is a hidden gem in Montreal's vibrant food scene, steeped in history & serving up some of the best smoked meat sandwiches in the city. Tucked away in Outremont, this family-run spot may be lesser-known than its famous counterpart, Schwarz's, but it absolutely holds its own-& dare I say, might even outshine it!
I had the smoked meat sandwich with Swiss cheese, & it was pure perfection: tender, juicy, & packed with flavor, all nestled between perfectly toasted rye bread. The Swiss added a creamy, melty touch that elevated every bite. Paired with crispy, golden fries, tangy pickles, & a refreshing cherry pop, it was a meal that hit all the right spots. The atmosphere is cozy & nostalgic, with a charm that reflects decades of tradition & love for deli craft.
The service was warm & welcoming, making the experience even more enjoyable. Lester's is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Montreal smoked meat with a side of history. I'll definitely be back for more!
Lester's Deli is absolutely amazing. The Montreal Smoked Meat is incredible. Don't forget to get a loaf of their rye bread, a bottle of their homemade mustard, & of course their delicious pickles. I rate Lester's Deli 5 out of 5 Mustaches. Uncle Carmine loves deli's, but this one I'd marry 😁.
Went for the Super Smoked Meat sandwich. Very good sandwich, almost lives up to the hype. Fairly food value for money. Phoning it in a bit with the bread though which was a let down & a bit of a token addition at best. Better bread would make this a 5 star sandwich for sure. Staff were really friendly & helpful
In my opinion the best smoke meat I have tried so far. Its was most, juicy & lean, the bread was fresh & soft. It was simply amazing! We had it with freshly cut french fried , a pickle & a cherry coke. I would recommend anyone that is from out of town to try this unique Montréal smoke meat place. Best in Montreal!!! I cant wait to go back!!
Apr 15, 2024
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Stepping into Lester's Deli, you're hit with the kind of expectation that only comes from the promise of Montreal's famed smoked meat! The smoked meat sandwich, let's be clear, is VERY GOOD. It's the kind of flavor explosion that makes you wonder if the chef isn't a Michelin-starred maestro hiding in a deli. The meat is so tender, so richly infused with flavor & spices, it's like the culinary equivalent of a symphony orchestra playing in your mouth, with every instrument perfectly tuned. But then, there's the bread... Oh, the bread. It's the understeer in our gastronomic joyride, the unexpected disappointment that leaves you yearning for a bit more grip on the culinary road. It's as if, in the midst of creating this smoked meat opus, the chef suddenly decided, "Let's just dial it in with the bread it's like pairing a world-class actor with a backup dancer who can't find the beat. & the fries. Where do we start? Calling them "awful" is a kindness. They're the culinary equivalent of attending a concert only to have the speakers blow out during the first song. Burned, flabby, & tasteless, they're a travesty, an affront to potato lovers everywhere. It's as if someone in Montreal decreed, "All fries must henceforth be as appealing as a rain-soaked weekend in the beach." It's not just Lester's; it's a city-wide conspiracy against the humble spud. I wonder if there's a secret society dedicated to ruining fries, meeting in dark alleys & exchanging soggy, burned potatoes as tokens of membership. In sum, Lester's Deli serves up a smoked meat sandwich that could easily become the stuff of legends, if only the bread & fries rose to the occasion making this a place worth visiting again.
