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.
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$. Probablement la seule place de nos jours avec un prix raisonnable. Le sandwich était vraiment bon. Si je restait dans ce quartier, je serais client régulier.
it's been 7 years I go there once or twice a month & noticed never left a comment, it is a classic, it is good, it is genuine, every bite is a comforting hmmmmmm in itself, every scent feels like home, every voice you here in that restaurant is reminiscing of the simpler time. I personally take 2 specials + pickles + cherry soda & take 30 minutes to enjoy every bit of it. taking time to take time is very important.
Jun 11, 2024
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
I'll always stop by if in the area. Been sitting in the same seat, eating the same sandwich, drinking the same soda for almost 40 years. It's always the same.
Amazing food! Fast friendly service. There's a reason they have been open almost 100 years. They just know what they are going with a simple menu, no need to change what clearly works. Get the wilensky special with cheddar chesses with extra mustard & the sour pickles. Top that off with any flavor of soda & your set up for an unforgettable lunch.
What can you say about a place that's been in business since 1932? They are obviously doing it right. Great sandwiches & the soda fountain drinks are made to order! Staff are great!
Definitely a historic place to experience in the heart of Mile End. Make sure to get the special & try one of their home made sodas, you won't regret it. Prices are low (5$), but the lunch is also light as they define it. Might need two sandwiches each.
Un cadre & une ambiance hors du temps & des standards moderne. Des sodas fait à l'ancienne (une première pour moi, jamais vu cela avant) Un sandwich qui n'a pas changé depuis 1932 & qui ne doit surtout pas changé. L'art du rétro
Mar 6, 2024
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Ooooook. So. This is nuts. Wilensky's hits different as the kids like to say. You step into a place that really hasn't changed in forever. You confidently sit down at a stool & order a special. If you're me, you rock up with an order of 2. After all, we're not here to play games. You think you did it right but then they hit you with "with cheese?", ruh roh, uhhhh, yes please! "What kind? Swiss or Cheddar?", RUH ROH! One of each I say confidently! You look around for a few seconds & your first special lands in front of you. I'VE NEVER BEEN SERVED THAT FAST. It's like, better than Amazon. You say you want a thing, & then it appears, instantly, in front of you. Hot, melty, tasty, mess of a frickin' sandwich. The Swiss is good but hooooly is the frickin' cheddar way better. Like waaaaaay better. & the Swiss is already way better than other stuff. I had a side of pickles, which are the Moishes kind (salt & vinegar, not garlicky). & a CREAM SODA. A cream soda that took me back to when I would roll up to the Perrette's with my buddy. I finished all that, & ordered a THIRD special. I want a fourth, but I shouldn't, but I want it. Everything was so so good. Everyone was so so friendly & attentive. I'm going to be here all the time. I'm embarrassed it took me so long.
Absolutely amazing!! We saw videos on YouTube & put this on our list of places to go. Definitely didn't disappoint & was worth the 45 minute walk to get there. I got 2 of the originals with cheddar, my wife had one. Delicious!!! I don't know what it is about the pickles but, they were the best one ever had. My wife isn't a fan of pop but she loved the homemade soda. Will definitely be back on our next trip to Montréal.
I love the feeling of being in an old school diner - you just pull up a stool to the bar counter, tell the friendly staff what you'd like & you get it within 5 minutes. Don't miss out on the handmade sodas as well! Prices are shockingly low & they don't accept tips which is unique for today's economy.
Great old school diner feel. Friendly staff. Lady at the bar gave me a key ring since my Air bnb was falling apart ha! Great food! Pickles, chocolate soda & the special.
Dec 14, 2023
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
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.
this place is a gem. it's such a simple sandwich but you can tell it's been made with such care & authenticity. love that this family owned restaurant has been in existence for so long. also you must try the chocolate soda. they make it from scratch using syrup, milk, & carbonation. when you walk in you feel like you've been transported 60 years into the past with a warm fuzzy feeling on the inside. their prices are beyond reasonable too
