Reviews describe Smoke Meat Pete as a legendary Montreal staple with generous portions of tender, flavorful smoked meat, a standout poutine and fries, and a lively bluesy atmosphere powered by live bands that draw crowds of locals and visitors alike. The experience is often praised for friendly staff, efficient service, and a welcoming vibe, though several comments note rising prices and, in some cases, reduced portion sizes or inconsistent meat quality, especially for lean cuts or fattier options. Dining in can be crowded and ordering at the counter is common, with takeout and to go serving as popular alternatives, and the overall value debated as prices climb, while many reviewers insist the meat, smoke and authentic ambience make Smoke Meat Pete worth the trip, especially when a show is on.
The smoked meat was great - it's a shame about the bread, though. For $26, one would hope for a better quality rye bread (or a pickle to accompany the sandwich 😅). Would've given 5 stars if it weren't for that 🤷🏻?♀? Poutine was good too - no complaints there. The service was friendly & the band was FANTASTIC (it made for a lively atmosphere!)
The good: I tried their Smoked Meat/Brisket & it was great. It melted in your mouth. The atmosphere was also great with live music. Staff friendly & helpful. The bad: Their appetizer/starter pork ribs seemed dry. Although I ordered this to go, I ate it right away, & the pork ribs were room temperature & fries were not hot or crispy.
Apr 28, 2026
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Personally, I think it's the best place to eat the smoked meat in Quebec. In first, the meat is very delicious, also the French fries are freshly cut, & it's a plus (other famous place in Montreal, use the frozen ones).
It's a pity there's no service: you have to do a line to order. After ordering they bring the stuff to the table. But if you, then, want something else, you have to do the line again.
Apr 4, 2026
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I've only eaten in once, so I can only really speak for takeout: it's the absolute best smoked meat. The fries are fantastic too & so is the smoked meat poutine. We tried the roast beef & it's really good, too.
Stopped by this restaurant from a friend's recommendation & this place did not disappoint. I thought the restaurant ambiance looked spot on & had a smokey bbq theme. Ordered a pound of sliced smoked meat & made some sandwiches. The amount given was generous & exceeded the pound. Needless to say the meat tasted very very good. A must visit.
Mar 20, 2026
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I've been going here for nearly 30 years now & I never walked away dissatisfied. Pete's smoked meat is reason alone, but the people who work there & the atmosphere put it over the top. Smoked Meat Pete is a landmark & well represents Montreal's unique smoked meat tradition.'You can't beat Pete's meat,' & his fries are damn good too!
We had an amazing experience! The team accommodated our group of 50 people on very short notice, & everything exceeded expectations. The service was organized, friendly, & efficient, & the food was absolutely delicious. Managing a group this size isn't easy, but they handled it seamlessly & made everyone feel well taken care of. Huge thank you to the staff for going above & beyond.
I brought my cousin from out of town here to have some promised good Montreal smoked meat. We opted to come here because it is a historic place for good smoked meat & it's closer than downtown. The prices we're reasonable, the fries are amazing, the smoked meat good but the portion seems smaller than expected & mine had too much fatty meat...which made me wonder why I wasn't asked what cut of meat I prefer? Maybe it's my fault that I forgot to ask or maybe you don't have a choice on what you get 🤷 Too bad because otherwise it was a nice venue if you like reminiscing & going back in time 😊 This is the perfect experience for an original Quebec highway casse-croute/pataterie & smoked meat venue to bring people from out of town, & also for the locals! Note that you must order & pay first & then pick a table where they will serve you the food. I will go back & try to get a lean cut next time!
Smoked Meat Pete is one of those places that feels timeless. We tried the classic smoked meat sandwich, the full rack of ribs, & the smoked meat poutine, & everything was excellent. The smoked meat is rich, tender, & full of flavour, easily among the best you can find in Montreal & the surrounding area. Honestly, if this place were located downtown, it would probably be considered the best smoked meat in Montreal.
The ribs were generous & well done, & the poutine with smoked meat was comforting & satisfying. Their coleslaw is also very good & pairs perfectly with the main dishes.
The atmosphere is friendly & welcoming, & you can really feel that this is a place people have been coming to for years. It's always busy, especially in the summer when lineups are common, which says a lot. They also have a varied menu with things like pasta & ice cream, making it great for families & groups.
If you want to experience truly great smoked meat at a place that's stood the test of time, Smoked Meat Pete is absolutely worth the trip.
I went with a friend & we placed our orders one at a time at the counter, she placed it before I did, they ere both exactly the same. I had my meal brought to the table in a coupe of minutes. We waited for a while & no meal yet for her. She noticed that the fork had some left over food still on it. We had to ask the server about the missing meal. Why the delay & forgotten meal? My sandwich was greasy & hers was dry.
