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.
Met Sharon the owner was nice like walking into a time zone looks like a 1930s candystore in the old movies had a eggcream for the first time it was delicious as well as there salami sandwich would highly recommend if in montreal
We are always greeted with kindness & courtesy. It may seem simple, but it's a place where we enjoy the world's most delicious sandwiches. Thank goodness you exist.
Jul 12, 2025
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Lovely historic deli! I visited Wilensky's as part of a food tour, & it was a very fun peek into Montreal's culinary history. It makes a very cheap, quick lunch if you're in the area, & I appreciate that the deli still feels like a 1920s movie set. The staff is super friendly & feels extremely passionately about their mustard -- so don't try to ask for a sandwich without it -- & it feels like a lovely neighborhood joint. They specialize in the Wilensky special, which includes grilled bologna, salami, cheese, & mustard on a Kaiser roll, which my fellow food tour guests seemed to really enjoy. Their vegetarian alternative had egg salad & mustard on a Kaiser roll, which was tasty, but honestly not my favorite part of the tour; the bread was a little bit too dry, & it felt rather one-note with just the egg salad. Even so, it was a really fun visit, & I'm sure it's better for folks who eat meat.
Great people, good food that always hits the spot we went on a secret food tour & came back the next day. The sandwiches are the best I ever had. It's a baloney, mustard, & cornmeal type bun with great texture. Also comes with a side of pickle spears. Will come back again when we go to Montreal
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.
Who could ever forget about the famous & iconic most likely 1st business open selling sandwiches in fallbrook. I personally remember welinsky's from their delicious bread they serve best sandwich bread me & my bois dom & nick would grab as an after school snack.
Wait times fasttttt af boi or gurl...
& topping it all off the customer service along with all staff & sandwich artists are top tier always got a smile on their face being professional it doesn't matter what kind of past or broken relationships that have been raptured. They keep it pop ruling their tasks on cycle.
Who can forget an order when it's all written & quoted for in the big book. Don't order 6 times a day tho. Cuz that book will turn into a 6 figure sequel of non stop tasty bread in the 6 libraries across NC.
Not too many MC's got dissed but the whole flock couldn't evade their associations in stuff I'm too lazy to by a new suit for. Just like her I'm sayin Thank you next, tryna get atleast another 36,000 people in the association that'll be enough motivation to not only wine n dine in but also write down the names of each little one of Santa's helpers not leaving & race religion or body dismorphia attributes behind cuz we're all equal :)
I'll camp out the big house for 72,000 minimum.
Freedom of speech is cool but impeding & shredding up someone's privacy civil rights now that's just radical
I'm sorry
SIMPLE & DELICIOUS! 😋
The place is run by amazing teamwork between the staff. A person bakes the bread, a person who manages & assembles the sandwich, a cashier, & a waitress. You can see all this while you are sitting at the bar table! The food came out in a FEW SECONDS after we ordered. We got the Wilensky special(we chose Swiss cheese) & soda. The sandwich seems small but it's very delightful & fulfilling.
The place tells a story of all the history (since 1932) that the store went through. It feels nostalgic even when you haven't been here before. I've never seen a soda fountain & it was really cool to see how they make drinks with it!
If you want a cozy, nostalgic, delicious & simple lunch, this place is for you!
The only thing for the place is that it's not accessible for people with wheelchairs. Just fyi.
Apr 25, 2025
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Excellent sandwiches at reasonable prices. Brings back memories of sandwiches I had when I was a kid. I forgot to take pictures but will try for next time.
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!
If you are looking for a delicious, cheap, quick lunch, go here. They make fried bologna sandwiches that are ready in about 30 seconds. They also make their own milkshakes & sodas which are all great. The owners are lovely & make you feel very welcomed. It's an old shop with almost 100 years of history & is obviously feeling a bit tired but I love that aspect of it, although I recognize that others may not
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.
I went here last Friday, & the experience was fantastic. As soon as you walk in, you sit down, & they ask what you'd like. The food is prepared in just two minutes-super quick! The staff were friendly & efficient, making the whole process seamless. The sandwich itself was simple yet absolutely delicious. It was so good I had to grab two more sandwiches & a karnatzel for the road.
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.
The best place for a 5$ sandwich & never changed the taste of them in 15years i know this place. Its such a tasty sandwich for fans of salami & mustard bread. Hope this restaurant keeps there door open for several years again.
