World famous Schwartz's, serving the best smoked meat from the original recipe of spices since 1928. Imagine walking through the door and taking a step back 75 years into "Main Street" history in Montreal. A "true" Montreal landmark that has welcomed celebrities and visitors from all over the world.
Schwartz's Deli is described as a Montreal icon with a legendary smoked meat sandwich that is tender, generously stacked on rye and often paired with pickles and a cherry soda. The atmosphere is old school, bustling, and communal, with long lines that move quickly and shared tables that add to the nostalgic vibe. The sandwich is repeatedly praised as top tier or the best many have tasted, with meat that is flavorful and juicy and options to choose lean, medium, or fatty cuts, though a few reviews note occasional dryness or uneven fat distribution. Poutine and fries are common accompaniments, sometimes great but occasionally criticized for being soggy or underseasoned; service is described as fast and friendly or brisk and crowded, depending on peak times. The experience is widely called a must visit for meat lovers and a defining Montreal experience, with many commendations of the history and atmosphere that make lines feel worth it. Some comments surface about price and crowding, but the overall sentiment remains strongly positive, framing Schwartz's Deli as a legendary staple that delivers a memorable smoked meat experience worth waiting for.
The food is very good. But if you are dinning in, it is not a nice experience, specially if you have to share the table with strangers. So make sure you are 5 or 6 people so you can get a dedicated table.
Aug 26, 2024
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For those confused about this place, I'll shed some light. First, why it's popular & second the quality of the food, & why people get these quite different things mixed up. Popularity: The smoked meat sandwich is a big deal because it's a LOT of meat, which makes the price of 14.50 + tax "good, not great" in my books. This, along with the long line (which can be bypassed for takeout) & "no frills" atmosphere make it different & fun. It's an institution, it's original, it has character, & the line of tourists (notably, not many locals) draw attention & adds to the hype. There is value in hype, I respect that. But.. The meat: Usually, when good meat is slow cooked, the connective tissue softens ending in a "melt in your mouth" effect. Schwartz is not that unfortunately. They are clearly aware, as they try to compensate for the dry texture by including a bit of extra fat. It gets about half way there. The sandwich: A good sandwich is about balance. The mustard has a decent sweet tang, & the bread (seemed slightly stale) offsets the tough meat somewhat. A pickle would go a really long way though, or any kind of acidity really. My stomach is struggling hours later due to the tough lean protein... be warned! Conclusion: If you want a lot of meat that looks cool & is an experience, do it. If you just want a good, tasty & balanced sandwich & aren't impressed by the hype & the vibe...eh. There's a place on Mt Royal that is far superior, cheaper & bakes their own sandwich rolls fresh. Forget the name, but it's on the Jeanne Mance side & that line is 100% about the food. Edit: It's called Kahwa Cafe & is rightfully rated better than Schwartz. Granted it's different, but I'd wage 9/10 people would be better off going there.
shoutout George! he's a real one, made the experience 10x better. The smoked meat sandwich was unforgettable, lovely experience! Had to buy a Schwartz's t-shirt on the way out!
Excellent service & food we got number 2 & 4 in the menu which were recommended to us by George since it was the most popular items on the menu , George is very nice & an awesome waitress ( while waiting in line there was a customer that looked tiered of standing & George brought him inside to sit while they waited for a table) , although they are very busy it not a long wait at all, we were told about this restaurant by a friend & we will definitely let our friends know about this place as well 😍😍
We waited in line in the rain for 40 minutes & it was worth it. Ordered smoked meat sandwich, poutine & a pickle. Server was fabulous & the food was even better!! They have a take pit window also. They have several tables & a counter to sit at. We sat with 4 other people at a table for 6.
Aug 13, 2024
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Finally made it here. Ate in at the take out side. 3x water, 3x cherry colas, 2x sandwiches & a fries total with tax $61.98! The sandwiches were great. Just didn't seem to be priced right for the size at $14.50! Canned cherry cola was $3.50 each. Very pricey for the experience & taste. I did love the sandwiches just didn't feel the prices were justified. (July 28 visit)
We go there frequently! The high quality of ingredients & the atmosphere are the main reasons for visiting this place. The line goes very fast. Highly recommended specially for tourists.
