Schwartz’s Deli is a Jewish delicatessen that is a legendary institution in Montréal in Québec. Because it has been in the same location since it first opened in 1928 by Reuben Schwartzs — who was an immigrant from Romania — Schwartz’s Deli is considered to be a landmark in Montréal.
Schwartz’s Deli in Montréal in Québec. Restaurant Review.
I was disappointed at first to see a long line of hungry people waiting to get into the delicatessen, as I did not want to wait a long time just to pick up some food to take out…
…but then I found out that the line was only for dining in, where the dining area was crowded and noisy…
…and even seating at the counter was full of customers.
As with many Jewish delicatessens in New York, the walls are filled with photographs of celebrities and politicians — as well as memorabilia and news articles lauding the praises of Schwartz’s Deli and its food. Note the signs which thank customers for Schwartz’s Deli being in business for 90 years.
Fortunately for me, orders can be taken out immediately in a separate entrance with almost no line, as I intended to take out the food anyway. On the left towards the rear are the refrigerator units with cold items such as salads and pickles.
Pounds of whole smoked briskets of beef are displayed in the window.
The classic smoked meat sandwich is smoked meat on a soft seedless rye bread with yellow mustard. I typically prefer my deli sandwiches to be on a crustier rye bread that is more dense and with spicy brown delicatessen mustard — but the way this sandwich was simply…works. I ordered three of them extra lean, as that is the way I like pastrami sandwiches and corned beef sandwiches — and I was not charged extra money. Canadian $16.25 each
I initially grabbed three individually wrapped dill pickles from the refrigerated unit; but the woman behind the counter advised me that purchasing a jar was more cost effective — so I bought the jar of pickles instead. They actually seemed to have slightly more flavor than its brethren in New York. I enjoyed them during the meal — and throughout the remainder of the time that we were in Canada on our road trip. Canadian $7.50
The fresh homemade fries were reminiscent of the fried potatoes that can be ordered at a Kosher delicatessen in New York — except these fries were thinner. The only reason why I was somewhat disappointed was that I would have rather had a knish or a potato latke — but Schwartz’s Deli has a very limited menu and does not sell them. Canadian $4.95
The gravy was flavorless and the potatoes were soggy in the poutine — perhaps the poutine would have been better if served fresh in the restaurant — but the cheese curds were good. If you want smoked meat in your order of poutine, order the Poutine à la Schwartz’s for Canadian $15.95. Served without the smoked meat: Canadian $11.95
This video shows my reaction to eating a smoked meat sandwich from Schwartz’s Deli while in our room at the hotel property at which we were staying.
Final Boarding Call
I highly recommend the smoked meat sandwiches at Schwartz’s Deli. I tried one years ago and it was good; but when I had one again recently, I thought to myself that I do not remember it being this good.
The smoked meat sandwich is somewhat smaller than pastrami sandwiches or corned beef sandwiches that are sold in New York — but do not be fooled: it is quite filling. This may seem somewhat blasphemous to a New Yorker; but I would put this smoked meat sandwich up with the best delicatessen sandwiches that New York has to offer.
Note that even though Schwartz’s Deli is a Jewish delicatessen, its food is not Kosher.
The total cost of the meal — which included three smoked meat sandwiches, a jar of pickles, an order of fries, and an order of poutine — was $60.52 in United States dollars.
Schwartz’s Deli
3895 Boulevard Saint-Laurent
Montréal, Québec
Canada
1-514-842-4813
E-mail: info@schwartzsdeli.com
Operating Hours
Sunday through Thursday: 10:00 in the morning through 11:00 in the evening
Friday through Saturday: 10:00 in the morning through midnight
Metered parking is available on the street; but free parking is available on other streets if you are willing to walk.
All photographs ©2026 by Brian Cohen.
