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May The Schwartz Be With You
The task seemed easy enough. On our trip from Rothesay to Mississauga, we’ll pop into Montreal on the way for a sandwich.
Easier said than done.
On the way to Mississauga on December 23, we drove into Montreal, taking the St. Denis exit off highway 40 as I’ve done a million times before back when I lived just an hour from Montreal in the 90s. We headed down St. Denis, turned at Rue Roy, right where my favourite record store on the planet, Primitive, is located. As usual for this time of year, Montreal had been bombarded with one of many snowstorms and cars were packed into their parking spaces the way a new TV is packed in styrofoam, and just as difficult to remove. As we turned the corner on St. Laurent, it looked like parking anywhere was going to be tough. The whole neighbourhood was jammed with cars and people, likely last minute shoppers grabbing great stuff at any number of stores in this fabulous part of the city.
Then we finally came to what was easily the busiest place of all. Schwartz’s Charcuterie at 3895 St. Laurent. The line up out the door stretched for three store lengths up the sidewalk.
We had to make tracks for Mississauga before it got too late so standing in an hour-plus long line up for a sandwich wasn’t going to happen. Fine, we’ll grab it on the way back.
Timing was a bit more relaxed for us on the way back through Montreal but the line-up in front of the storied charcuterie shop was just as long, this time at about 2 pm. So this time I decided to just grab a take-out sandwich at the neighbouring take out stand, also owned by Schwartz. The line up was pretty long there too but moved quickly thanks to some very expeienced staff. At the take out, you don’t get the real experience of sitting at one of the communal tables in the restaurant (thankfully a friend took me here a few years ago and I got to experience it the proper way), but the smoked meat is still the real deal.
One bite explains the line ups. This stuff is just magic. Packed with smokey beefy flavour, while not being excessively salty or even briney, as most of the rest of the country has come to get used to as “Montreal Style Smoked Meat”. Straight from Schwartz’s, this smoked meat is like no other. Incredible quality, old school charcuterie.
What you see above is half of a sandwich that cost $5.95. I could go on all day about value for the dollar but having one of Canada’s best sandwiches for $6 is really all that needs to be said.
So if you’re in Montreal at any point, plan ahead, wear good shoes and make your way to the back of the line on St. Laurent. It’s worth it.
Ah yes, I remember Reuben’s. I think that was the first place I had a reuben!
Never did Schwartz’ but I always make a point to hit the spot on St Catherine. Rueben’s I think. Great stuff too.
Yes, I’ve hit up Caplansky’s and have been meaning to go back. Some real old school stuff happening there too. Nice to see in trendy T-dot.
So delicious every time. But even the best smoked meat, i.e. Schwartz’s, is inconsistent, and I have had a couple of dry sandwiches there.
The best sandwich I’ve had at Caplansky’s in Toronto is not as good as the best sandwich I’ve had at Schwartz’s, but it’s still worthy competition from a newbie. A friend of mine tells me that Caplansky’s got a new smoker that they’re really excited about. Apparently it’s really consistent. You should give it a second shake when you come through again.
Meat.
It was so good. It’s one of those things where you’re eating and all you can think to yourself is “……holy…..”
Smoked meat around here has never quite hit the mark for me. Some recent entries such as the smoked meat at Urban Deli are quite good (but $10 the last time I checked), while others are just awful either in quality or price. I remember the smoked meat platter at Reggie’s restaurant years ago. Must have been the Pepsi that drove the price up to north of $17. And the sandwich was crap too.
That sandwich looks amazing. Definitely worth the drive into the city. I think it just may be worth an entire trip to Montreal!