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.
Overall, Lester's Deli blends an old fashioned, nostalgic Montreal deli atmosphere with consistently tender smoked meat and generous sides like dill pickles, coleslaw, and fries, often accompanied by fast, friendly service and a warm, local vibe. Many reviews praise the meat as rich, juicy, and flavorful, with some calling it among the best in town and a standout option for those looking for an authentic Montreal smoke meat experience. The experience is described as approachable and affordable for the portion size, though a few readers note price increases and portions that feel smaller or meat that is leaner than before. Takeout and dine in both attract loyal fans, and the counter style with retro memorabilia adds to a sense of community and tradition. Some comments mention occasional service hiccups or long lines during peak times, while others highlight exceptionally friendly staff and hospitable gestures that feel like a visit to a friend. Sides such as house made pickles, coleslaw, and poutine are frequently praised for freshness, though fries or bread may be noted as too salty or some meat not as brisket like as expected. Overall the deli is considered a Montreal classic and a must visit for smoked meat lovers seeking a nostalgic, flavorful bite and a taste of local deli history.
4.4 / 5 is a great score. Takeout Uber - arrived in 20 mins on a Wednesday lunch to my hotel.
Fries were handmade & delicious (but soggy as a wet dog by delivery). No ketchup, mayo or any condiments included.
Smoked meat was large & delicious! Extra mustard requested & added. Would eat this 10x in a row. Got the Swiss cheese. Doesn't make a huge difference. The meat is the star. Only thing I'd change - I think it's medium hand cut & I prefer shaved. But, this was so good I might switch.
Hot dog (glitzy). I think it was $6 so I had high hopes for low cost. It was okay. Tasty but smushed. Would skip on delivery maybe try in person.
Great smoke meat place, the service was just awesome.
We had the normal & the large smoke meat & a smoke meat poutine & loved it.
Also a lot friendlier to kids then other places.
Mar 21, 2025
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Lester's Deli took me back to childhood. For me it had that nostalgia of the old Jewish delis that I grew up going to.
My husband had the Montreal smoked meat with fries & pickles. I had the egg salad sandwich with a side of pickles. The pickles reminded me of the pickles my baba would serve growing up. The fries were also that stereotypical diner style that is absolutely delicious. The prices were also very affordable, especially given the amount of food you get.
The service was also fabulous. It has that family feel that you often don't get at restaurants nowadays.
I love restaurants that have been open for many decades. The décor is very retro. It almost looks like it did at the opening of the restaurant, but that is the charm of the place. The staff are super nice & very friendly. The smoke meat was delicious & the pickles too. To go to the bathroom, you have to pass a very narrow corridor, & there is only one bathroom.
Compared to some smoked meat spots in the city, their smoked meat was not bad. It didn't have as much flavour especially since it's apparently comparable to another famous spot. I do like that the portions are still massive & the smoked meat poutine was so good. The staff are friendly & it's nice to see so many locals that come here.
My kinda place! Smoked meat sandwich was delish. No line, was helped immediately by very nice people working the counter. Fries were great. Nice old school authentic sandwich shop feel to it. A place my grandfather would have loved.
Channeling my inner Outremont local since 1951 - devouring a large smoked meat sandwich, fries, dill pickles, & washing it down with a black cherry Coke. This legendary spot has been fueling generations, one massive bite at a time! 😊
The smoked meat was rather disappointing. Bland in taste. I've had much better smoked meat in Montreal although this place came highly recommended. Fries were great & so where the pickles. One original thing was the spray bottle on each table to spray your fries with white vinegar. Interesting concept.
Sep 26, 2024
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I recently tried the traditional smoked meat sandwich at Lesters Deli in Outremont, & it's a must-try if you're in Montreal. The sandwich is packed with a generous amount of freshly cut meat, served with a pickle & fries. The deli itself is an old, charming spot with very friendly staff, adding to the authentic experience. Definitely worth a visit!
Best smoked meat in Canada. I wanted to show our friends the autographed pictures of movie stars that have been there,vbut someone took them down. Not a smart move, it's great advertising. please put them back, thanks
Now that Main smoked meat on Saint-Laurent is closed, this is my new favorite place to enjoy a very good sandwich. It was nice to sit on the terrace on a beautiful day. French fries are very good!
Jul 3, 2024
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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
