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.
Loved Wilensky's - everything about it! The sandwich & pickles were excellent & the staff & atmoshere were too. We enjoyed walking there from downtown & we look forward to going back the next time we are in Montreal.
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..
Mar 21, 2026
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There is nothing much need to say about Wilensky, it isn't a place for gourmet food nor Michelin stars, but it is a star on it's own. The taste of tradition.
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 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.
Nestled in the mile-end on the corner of rue Clark & Fairmount West, Wilensky's Light Lunch has been serving grilled sandwiches since it opened in 1932.
As I walked in, I could tell from the friendly banter between the staff & the regulars sitting at the bar that Wilensky's is all about fostering community through food.
I ordered the Wilensky's special, a grilled salami & bologna sandwich with mustard & your choice of cheese (i opted for swiss) served on a kaiser roll. Accompanied by a small bag of house pickles, this really does make for the perfect light lunch.
Oct 10, 2025
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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!
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.
No trip to Montreal's complete for me without a Wilensky's with Swiss cheese & extra mustard! Absolutely delicious little snack with a proprietary corn meal dusted bun that I have never seen anywhere else makes this the perfect little treat. A MUST eat in Mile End!
Jun 26, 2025
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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.
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!
C'était une journée chargée d'émotions puisque mon papa passait un examen médical sérieux. Pendant que j'attendais je suis passé devant mes bagels préférés & j'ai pensé à Wilensky. Toujours une belle expérience : Nourriture, service & ambiance. Extra. Un baume sur notre journée. Merci d'être encore là depuis 1932.
Mar 29, 2025
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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.
First timing eating at Wilensky's in many years & the food hasn't changed. Would highly recommend the special with swiss, pickles are very good too. Seating is limid & can get very busy at lunch & bit cramped & hectic, but I guess that's part of the charm.
Wilensky est un petit resto super sympa, mignon & bien dans ce jus avec des produits à prix raisonnables. Les sodas sont faits à l'ancienne ; c'est extra !
Endroit mythique & intemporel de Montréal, faut y aller au moins une fois dans sa vie. Service rapide & personnel accueillant . Manger le spécial Wilensky avec fromage suisse. 4.8⭐
