Restaurant Wilensky's has been a Montréal tradition since 1932, known for its grilled-meat sandwiches. The food selections are limited to a few sandwiches at very low price: Salami sandwiches, hot-dog sandwiches... This place serves drinks typical of the old-time soda fountain. Talk about tradition
Wilensky's is described as a Montreal institution with a timeless neighborhood vibe and a deliberately simple menu that has stayed true for decades. The Wilensky's special, a grilled salami and bologna sandwich with mustard and cheese on a Kaiser roll, is praised for its straightforward, satisfying flavor, often paired with house made sodas such as a cherry cola made at the counter. The experience feels nostalgic and unpretentious, with seating at the bar, quick service, and a sense of community as regulars and newcomers alike mingle. The atmosphere is punctuated by old photos on the walls and a kitchen that embraces tradition, attracting both locals and visitors seeking something different in a city known for its food scenes. Practical notes recur in reviews: limited seating, affordable prices, a no tipping policy that benefits charity, and occasional parking challenges, with some calling it a living museum and a must visit for an authentic slice of Montreal deli heritage.
J ai commencer a aller chez wilensky en 1963 a ce moment la le spécial ne coutais 0.35 ou 0.40 cents .chaque fois que je passe a montr.al je me rend chez wilensky prendre 2 spécial & un cherry cola un délice . merci a toute la famille wilensky. je suit rendu a 82 ans & je ne peux plus sortir comme je voudrais MERCI..
The best breakfast sandwich ever in Montreal' the special with Swiss or Cheddar cheese' with a sour pickle & the homemade cherry cola. An experience like nothing else ✨?.
Feb 3, 2026
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This place has a special kind of magic. Often, well-known or iconic spots can feel rushed or unfriendly, but that wasn't the case here at all. Sharon was incredibly kind & welcoming-happy to chat, answer questions, & genuinely interact with guests.
The special sandwich is delicious in its simplicity, letting the flavours speak for themselves, & the cherry cola is a perfect match. If I return to Montreal, I'll definitely come back. This is truly a must-visit in the city.
Was the special sandwich the best thing I ever ate, or a'if you don't stop here you didn't do Montreal justice', no. It's not that. But it's just downright simple & delicious & unique. Where else do you get something like this? Give it a go & you won't regret trying it. What I'd really love to come back again for are the handmade sodas! I usually hate cherry anything but my wife wanted to try the cherry cola & it was fantastic. I wish all pop was like that.
What an experience. Go in, sit down at an open stool, let them decide! I had cherry coke & their original sandwich - it was absolutely delicious. Don't knock until you try.
Wilensky's is an absolute gem of a joint. Timeless, simple, delicious.
Had the Wilensky Special with pickles & a cherry cola, who knew a bologna sandwich could be so good!
Aug 9, 2025
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Very cool experience with the special sandwich with cheddar, cherry cola, & the pickles. I should have had two sandwiches but was trying to pace myself that day.
This place is a Montréal institution!! Stopped in for a quick bite to eat. The place was full at 3:00pm & was greeted promptly by the friendly staff. Ordered an old-fashioned Cherry Cola & the Wilensky Special. The soda was delicious & the sandwich (so simple, yet perfect) was amazing! Perfect ratio of mustard to bread to salami & baloney. Who knew this little grilled sandwich could be so good!
Apr 3, 2025
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Absolutely worth going. It's a bit like a living museum in there, but I Had to go. My father took me there since I was three years old. It looks exactly the same, except no one is smoking a cigarette in your face. Had the basic sandwich & the cherry cola. Sandwich was good. Soda was outstanding.
Amazing, simply amazing. Went for the first time today, chose the Wilensky special with Swiss cheese, an old fashion cherry cola (& an egg salad sandwich to go).
Excellent service, friendly & very quick. I definitely recommend it.
Saw a tiktok about this place & thought it would be a nice place to try. For the price you are getting an amazing sandwich, if you go get at least 2 to start. Old time sodas that are well worth the price, get an egg cream or a cherry coke & you will be very happy.
it's been 7 years I go there once or twice a month & noticed never left a comment, it is a classic, it is good, it is genuine, every bite is a comforting hmmmmmm in itself, every scent feels like home, every voice you here in that restaurant is reminiscing of the simpler time. I personally take 2 specials + pickles + cherry soda & take 30 minutes to enjoy every bit of it. taking time to take time is very important.
Feeling the city' culture , tasting the history, discovering Montreal old times & meal in my plan, a kind of nostalgia. The store is not open for convenience that the clerk told me, that's why we returned to it open. Cherry flavour cola was my first time drinking, sat down to eat at the counter, you can eat everything you order, then you pay for all your eating.
Ça faisait longtemps que je voulais essayer le fameux Wilensky spécial avec le cherry coke. Je n'ai pas été déçu! Simple & délicieux, ce fut parfait pour un dîner sur le pouce. Les lieux sont chargés d'histoire. J'ai trouvé le service un peu froid mais j'ai tout de même adoré l'endroit & j'y retournerai.
Visiting from Melbourne, Australia (on a very cold, snowy March day) - Wilensky's was a must visit destination in Montreal with a timeless experience that you just don't get back home. It's a simple concept - pop yourself onto a counter seat, get lost in time & let the super friendly (& in close proximity, this is a great thing!) staff know what you feel like eating out of their hot or cold sandwiches, or a hot dog if that's your craving, & what you would like to wash it down with & it will be in front of you before you know it. For me, I went with the Wilensky Special, an all-beef & all-bologna hot sandwich with mustard & swiss cheese. I meant to say, I had two because I had to quickly re-live the first experience immediately & crunched on a sour pickle to tickle the palette on the side. The sandwich hit the spot as a tasty pre-lunch filler & was matched by the tastiest cherry cola that is made in-house that i've ever had in my life. As I pulled out my wallet, I was shocked to learn how little I was to actually spend on all of that tastiness - the lovely server even helped me understand how to make sense of the toonies, loonies & other coins that I had put onto the counter. Of all of the fond memories that I went on to make in Quebec, making the trek out to a beloved institute that my culinary & cultural heroes were once in & getting to experience the same sensation of time travel is one that I will cherish forever.
