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.
Simplicity pulled off with precision & excellence is how places become institutions. Wilensky's is absolutely an institution & you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't go for lunch when you visit the city.
If you live here & you haven't been yet, what are you doing??
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!
We had attempted to get here during our last trip to Montreal, & just wow, it was so worth the wait. What an amazing institution in Montreal. The family working there are just incredibly friendly & accommodating & welcoming. We had no clue what we were doing, & they simply usher you through the process like you are a member of their family. Although we were originally not going to be able to sit a the counter, they encouraged us to use one of the stands or even the chest freezer if necessary (fortunately the stool bar opened up). We each had a classic & the Chocolate Egg Cream to drink...& simply could not have had a better lunch. The price is just stupidly inexpensive, but apparently where they think it should be because it is a constant stream of regulars & newbies like us. So happy we were able to get there this time...loved every bit of the experience; this will definitely be a regular place to visit when coming to Montreal. Incredible - & if you haven't been...you simply must go!
Sep 17, 2024
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Montreal institution. As a person who can't eat pork, it's just nice to go in & be able to order everything. Got the Wilensky special & a hot dog with cheddar on an onion bun. Perfection.
Je n'avais jamais visité cette institution montréalaise & c'est hier que j'ai fait le saut. Partie de la Rive-Sud pour me rendre à cette endroit. J'ai pris une chance car nous connaissons tous le bordel qu'est la ville pour les automobilistes. Première impression en entrant, c'est que tu retournes dans le temps. Quelques places assises seulement. La personne qui a pris ma commande était super gentille. J'ai pris un spécial avec fromage suisse & un crème soda. 7$. Probablement la seule place de nos jours avec un prix raisonnable. Le sandwich était vraiment bon. Si je restait dans ce quartier, je serais client régulier.
One of the classic Mile End institutions- a real gem on Fairmount street. The service is always friendly & accommodating, the restaurant is adorable- a total throwback in time. "Light lunch" is definetely the key words here though- classic cold cut sandwich- no substitutions!! But do expect to be hungry within an hour especially if you are touring this gorgeous neighborhood. Will always come back for a quick bite, thank you guys!
Tu veux une sandwich aux baloney ? C est la place ! Mon copain m'y a emmener, je ne savait pas qu un resto pouvait faire sa renommer sur le baloney ! Sur place depuis des années, ( une vrais institution ) la déco est resté le même , en rentrant dans le restaurant, c est un vrais retour en arrière, photos d époques comble le mur à travers les années, trippant ! Pas de tables, mais comptoir où ont peut s assir. Nous, ont a commandé & manger dans le camion. Si tu aime le baloney, c est la place
May 5, 2024
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Great sandwiches!!! They serve you fast & they are super efficient! This place is an institution in Mtl & you understand why as soon as you walk through the door! Love it.
Wilensky's is a very special & dear establishment to the Montreal community. For generations Montrealers have parroted this very special restaurant as it has been a multigenerational eatery where my children go & my grandparents went as well. This is not a deli, this is not a fast food though it is superbly positioned as one due to their ability to serve rapidly, this is not a sandwich shop per se though they do sell a few cold sandwiches & of course their classic Wilensky's special sandwich & their superb Smokey thick juicy boiled then grilled hot dogs in a onion top or plain bottom bun. For those who have heard of the famous restaurant be it from numerous social media posts, multiple documentaries, famous movies (such as the Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz - fact, my uncle played the Grandfather to Duddy), word of mouth, TV shows, you tube stations & the list goes on - you need to manage expectations here. There are some people who come & will say "I don't get it, what is the big deal about this pace". & to these people I would respond by saying the big deal is not specific to the food or value per bite etc. If you have never heard about this place you should learn about its history & humble origins as they are quite interesting to say the least. To those who say the place is dated or outdated, again, learn about the history t'as there is a purpose to maintain its rich history as original as possible as its local & loyal clients prefer. Wilensky's is an institution more so than a restaurant. This is a place where locals go to almost connect to their past & to their families of past who patrons this place & introduced it to them or them parents etc. This is a place where people learn about a community & where everyone is welcome regardless of ideology - religion, politics, language, race, color, or sports teams. Everyone is treated with respect & everyone gets to experience the decades old tradition of eating a historic food that generations of past have eaten & enjoyed amongst friends & strangers hunched over the stool eating & drinking one of the few places in Canada that you can order a fresh homemade soda the way it was done way back in the soda fountain & syrup mixing days of past - cherry cola is the favourite of them all but others are amazing too such as cream-soda, pineapple, cherry, as well as other special drinks of past. When you come to eat then world renowned Wilensky's "special" sandwich comprised of a custom made bun with one side covered in crunchy corn meal & the other smooth like a bun, where the two types of deli are grilled between to perfection & always only served with mustard like a religion. I think the only way to receive ketchup is if you are a young child & don't know any better lol. This sandwich is not large nor is it packed with multiple ingredients. It's a simple "special" quick sandwich made by the wife of the original founder who was asked by her husband to make him something "special" & quick as he hadn't time to eat a full lunch during his work day. This same sandwich is made today & millions have been sold to hungry people from around the world. Even famous chef & TV chefs & personality such as Anthony Bourdaine came, saw, delighted, an appreciated the historic value this focused "nosherie" has in this city - not erroneously judging this place based on restaurant review points such as atmosphere, bathroom, service, presentation & so forth. This is not a chi chi fooderie. You cannot rate this place based on typical rating KPI's as it does not even work in this framework. You are not coming to Wilensky's for just the food, it's an experience that in order to for it to be of great meaning you owe it to yourself to to two things (time provided) before you go. 1- read up about the place. 2- learn about the history of this part of the city & its ethnic regional beginnings & ask questions to the servers. This place is awesome & do but a momento & post it to social media. Enjoy.
An institution in Montreal! Great small spot! Fast & very friendly! The Special sandwich is great for breakfast & the cherry cola made to order is so great!
Ca faisait un moment que je voulais aller a cet institution. J'ai bien aimer le sandwich, mais ce n'était rien d'extraordinaire, ca reste un sandwich a la bologne & au salami. Je recommande quand même d'aller y goûter, mais personnellement je ne referai pas de grand détour pour y retourner.
