Amazing food, service , and ambiance. A visit to Montreal isn't complete without a stop at Schwartz's Deli. The smoked meat sandwich absolutely lived up to the hype. The meat was incredibly tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, piled high between fresh rye bread with just the right amount of mustard. The atmosphere is classic, authentic, and full of history. Even with the line outside, the service was efficient and friendly, and the food was worth every minute of the wait. The pickle and fries were the perfect sides to complement the rich smoked meat. You can tell why this place has become a Montreal institution. Simple menu, legendary food, and an experience that feels uniquely local. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in Montreal. read more

Schwartz's - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

Schwartz's Deli is one of those Montreal spots that hits you immediately with how tight and chaotic it feels inside. We walked into a space that is small, constantly packed, and built around fast turnover rather than comfort, with people lining up at the counter while orders get called out across a loud, crowded room. The energy hit us right away, and it felt more like stepping into a system that has been running the same way for decades rather than a modern restaurant experience. The smoked meat sandwich is the main reason to come here, and it delivers in a very direct, no-frills way. We ordered one and found the meat thick, heavily seasoned, and with a deep smoky flavor that came through right away. The texture stood out most, tender but still structured enough to hold its bite, especially when stacked on rye bread with mustard. It is simple in concept but feels complete in execution, with nothing on the plate trying to distract from the main item. The sides like pickles, coleslaw, and fries felt more supportive than essential. We tried the poutine and found it solid and filling, but it clearly sat in the background compared to the smoked meat sandwich. Everything on the menu seemed centered around that one item, and the rest of the food reinforced that focus rather than expanding it into a wider dining experience. Seating is communal and tightly packed, which added to the overall intensity of the place. It was common to share tables with strangers, and there was very little personal space once we sat down. The noise level stayed high the entire time, but the service was quick, so the pace of the meal kept things moving even when it felt crowded. Schwartz's Deli feels like a Montreal institution defined by its simplicity and consistency. It is not a comfortable sit-down meal, but the smoked meat sandwich is strong enough to make the entire experience worth it, especially if you are there for what it is known for rather than the setting around it. read more

Schwartz's - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

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Worth the wait in the rain! Good to know that they have a TO GO LINE and line for if you wanna dine in. So if you don't wanna wait in a long line and the weather is great- I say take it to go and enjoy the outdoors. The service is great and friendly funny staff. If you are dining in and only a party of 2 be prepared to be sitting with other people with parties of 2. It was no issue for us because we love people :) it's a smaller space inside for dining in. Now THE SMOKED MEAT SANDWICH-- AMAZING! The bread was soft and beef was delicious. SOOOO much better than overpriced Katz in NY. It's a definitely a place to eat at when in Montreal. read more

Schwartz's - 5/5 would recommend The smoked meat sandwich - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

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Our order was a smoked meat sandwich, fries, a pickle, and a black cherry soda. Honestly the perfect order. The smoked meat sandwich was dang good. One of those meals I'll be thinking about and randomly craving, not too salty, decadent and rich but not disgustingly heavy. I don't even enjoy soda but the pairing was so good. I liked having the pickle as a refreshing acidic element to the meal but my boyfriend said "the pickle's aite" The takeout line is long but fast and there's also a few spots in the back to eat indoors. It gets a bit cramped but well worth cutting down on the wait. read more

Schwartz's - Smoked meat sandwich, pickle, fries, and black cherry soda - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

One of my main reasons to visit Montreal was to have a smoked meat sandwich. The epicenter of smoked meat in Montreal is Schwartz's. Fantastic sandwiches in a very genuine tiny cramped hectic dining room. Iconic experience. Service fits perfectly. You just gotta go!! read more

Schwartz's - Smoked meat sandwich with a glimpse of the table setting - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

This place is everything the reviews promise! We got to the restaurant around 2pm (thinking we'd miss the lunch rush), and there was still a line out the door. Somebody in line then mentioned that there is a "to-go" counter right next to the sit-down restaurant. This line moved pretty fast. I went with the classic hot smoked meat sandwich. It looks deceptively small, but it's a solid serving for lunch for one person. I was pretty hungry and struggled to finish it. If you try to eat your way through all that Montreal has to offer, this stop is worth it! read more

Schwartz's - Smoked sandwiche hot - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

After dining here, I could see why there's usually a line that wraps around the building, and throne of tourists disembark from buses simply to walk through the tight restaurant. The meat definitely justified the wait, as it was easily the best pastrami I've ever had. It's not just a dining experience; it's a life-changing moment when you visit. The owner was more than happy to hop on a chair to take a group picture of you and your lucky friends. The wall was adorned with photos of famous people who ate at the restaurant. read more

Schwartz's - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

Loved the food here! A hit for the whole family! Kiddo and I split a sandwich which was probably just enough for us. Smoked meat on rye bread because that's what a good Jewish deli does! They did not skimp at all! The gentleman serving us behind the bar was very nice and even brought our kid a couple extra slices of leaner meat to try. Highly recommended! read more

Schwartz's - Sandwich à la viande fumée / Smoked Meat Sandwich - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

Schwartz is a small deli with a lot of history, and I love places like this where you can sit right at the counter. The service there was great, and it had that classic old-school deli atmosphere. I hadn't had a pastrami sandwich in a while, and while this one was very good, I wouldn't personally call it great. I found the meat a little dry, but adding coleslaw and a pickle definitely helped. I also tried their classic black cherry soda, which was excellent. If I'm comparing it to places like Langer's or Katz's, I'd probably rank Schwartz below both of them. I think Katz has better pastrami with more fat and a juicier texture overall, and Langer's #19 is still my favorite deli sandwich because you're getting more ingredients and flavors than just pastrami and mustard. Overall though, Schwartz is definitely worth checking out. You probably won't be blown away, but it's still a really solid experience with a lot of character. read more

Schwartz's - Smoked meat sandwich - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

If you like smoked meat, go here. If you don't, don't go here. The sandwiches look small but are packed with meat. I thought I would be bursting after, but I was pleasantly full and not uncomfortable. Fries are a bit underseasoned and soggy, but you don't go here for the fries. We had to ask for waters, but once we did, we got them pretty quickly - the service is exceptionally fast here. My son said it was the best hotdog dog he's ever had, but later said he was just "in the moment." They do pack you in here - we ended up at a table with 2 people we didn't know (who were lovely and we had a nice chat). So be prepared to chat up your neighbors. It was highly recommended by a lot of people, but we felt it was a bit overrated.... read more

Schwartz's - Sandwich à la viande fumée / Smoked Meat Sandwich with Frites / Fries - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

Just Go. Seriously. Go. I've been hearing about Schwartz's deli and their smoked meat for decades and have never had it. I finally went with my fiancé and let me tell you Sunny boy it was amazing. The Deli itself was not what I expected. It is small. Super small. Tiny. Old school. Authentic. Everything I live for. The people behind the counter were wonderful. Sweethearts. Kind. Welcoming. Patient. Funny. The opposite of what I expected. The smoked meat itself was absolutely delicious and I wish I had a sandwich right now. I simply cannot get it out of my head. read more

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I live in NYC and I'm used to the sandwiches there so I was interested in Schwartz in Montreal and see how it compares. Schwartz definitely packs a good amount in a compact space. I would say the differences are that it focuses more on the meat itself. There's less juiciness and less seasoning compared to somewhere from NYC. It was still something I enjoy though! read more

On this trip, my food goal was to have a smoked meat sandwich from Schwartz's. My sister and I were strategic. Since the restaurant opens at 10am, we wanted to get there before 11, to beat the lunchtime line-up. I suspected that with the milder, more pleasant weather, more people would be more willing to wait. Consequently, I planned my day to avoid them entirely, even if it meant having lunch slightly earlier. Most of the tables were 6 tops, so we chose one that was empty for now, fully anticipating that the remaining seats would fill up before we finished. I planned to have the smoked meat sandwich and hoped the restaurant would offer poutine. I was in luck. Both a traditional and a smoked meat version of poutine were available. I went with the former. The fries were tender and crispy. The gravy was flavorful, but I would have liked more cheese curds. My sister agreed. The sandwich is served à la carte, fries and pickles are add-ons. The sandwich is smaller than what you would find on an American menu, but it is the perfect size if you do not want leftovers. I thought the sandwich was good, but not fantastic. It was perplexingly dry on one side and moist on the other. The service was fine - about what you'd find at a deli. Note, we were still in the area at 1pm and saw the lineup we managed to avoid. read more

Schwartz's - Traditional poutine with a deli staple, cherry soda. - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

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Lined up at the take out side, which was long but goes by quickly. When in MTL you must get smoked meat so that I did! I got both the sandwich and poutine, the meat was sooo tender and flavorful. Some of the best I've ever had! The poutine didn't have as many cheese curds as I would've liked but the smoked meat was the star so that's probably why there weren't heavy handed either the curds. Both dishes came out to upwards of $34, not bad at all! read more

Schwartz's - Sandwich à la viande fumée / Smoked Meat Sandwich - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

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If you're visiting Montreal, this place is a must. The meat from the smoked meat sandwich is just so soft, and as you can see from photos, it is PACKED with the meat. I will say that what could have made it better would be the bread. There's nothing special about the bread, it's like they just took a slice straight from a loaf in the grocery store, which, nothing wrong with that. I just think it would've been a 5/5 if the bread wasn't so ordinary. The poutine with the smoked meat was so good, but I only had a few bites. That was also my first time trying poutine. My dad who had that as his main course (he didn't get the sandwich), regretted getting the poutine because it was a bit too heavy for him with the gravy. He said he didn't get to savor the meat as much since the cheese and gravy was overpowering. If you did want to try the poutine, I'd say it's still worth a shot, but at least get the sandwich as well. It was quite busy. They tabled the three of us with two other guys. They were really cool dudes. But it's just a heads up since the inside is pretty small. read more

Schwartz's - smoked meat sandwich, Poutine à la viande fumée / Smoked Meat Poutine, Salade de choux - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

This was terrible, I guess the only reason this has good reviews is because of the amount of meat in the sandwich, but that means nothing if the meat sucks. The turkey literally squeaked in my mouth and the pastrami was disgusting. Go here if you looking for a lot of bad meat guess I'm just spoiled by New York City. read more

The smoked meat sandwich did NOT disappoint! We got there pretty early and received our sandwich right away. It was quick. The meat is stacked and seriously so good. Don't sleep on this one. Ambiance felt like a deli but I wasn't expecting anything different. The seats were in the back and we were able to order, get our sandwich, and sit right away. The only thing is that it came out to be smaller than I expected. I wish there was more or I wish we ordered more. read more

Schwartz's - Smoke Sandwich à la viande fumée / Smoked Meat Sandwich - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

I'm not sure if my review is going to sway you one way or the other, but let me just say anyone who has done research on places to eat in Montreal has seen this place pop up, and let me tell you - it's worth it. Their smoked meat sandwich is next level. And while I only had a few places of comparison in Montreal, it was bar none the best smoked meat in Montreal. I dare say they are the Katz's of Montreal. I gotta say, it was a bit of a trek to get here. My wife dropped me off and drove around while I went to get my order. Let me just say, going at 10pm on a Monday night probably played in my favor. Still being that late on a Monday in March, this place was still busy. I could have gotten a table if I was dining in, but that was not my plan. I ran in to grab some take out, and I have to say, in the time it took me to turn around and pay for my sandwich, my sandwich was all ready to go. The anticipation built as we drove back to hotel with my smoked meat sandwich. When I opened it up, I can't say I was overwhelmed by the size of it, but after that first bite, I was hooked. This was the best bite I had on my whole trip, and I am now cursing myself for only getting one sandwich. We almost went back the next morning, but we had to be on the road, so alas, this one sandwich was all we got. OVERALL - if you don't go, it is truly your loss. I would probably try the poutine with the smoked meats on a return trip, to get the full, Montreal experience. CELEBRITY RATING - Ryan Gosling read more

Great smoked meat sandwich! Honestly my first thought was to compare this sandwich to the many pastrami sandwiches I've had in NYC but that would be comparing apples to oranges. Even Schwartz will tell you it's not the same product although it is very similar. Both institutions cure, spice, smoke and steam the meat but that's where the similarities end. Although I don't know for sure, I've heard the cut of meat is different. Katz uses a naval cut, which is noticeably fattier and juicy. Schwartz's smoked meat doesn't lack in fattiness but it's far less fatty and juicy. Another fact on the first bite is -the flavor. Katz's flavor profile on the pastrami is a knockout punch while Schwartz delivers a jab. Schwartz's smoked meat delivers a different flavor profile all together. That's not to say Schwartz isn't great because it's half the price on Katz essentially and you don't have to tip your slicer here. That's not to say Schwartz doesn't bring their own brand of chaos. On my way out the slicer shouted he'd serve no one until the line was straightened out to his liking. LOL. It's all good though, that line was a mess and Sometimes tourists need a stern talking to. I'd get in a straight line for sure for this sandwich! I got my sandwich from the takeout next door versus waiting for table service. The line was 20 deep at 3pm and I just didn't have the patience on a drizzling afternoon. I'd revisit for another one of these smoked meat sandwiches. read more

Super quick service. We sat at the bar and grabbed a few quick things to share. My friends seemed to enjoyable them a more than I did. I could have just been too full... read more

Schwartz's - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

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The smoked meat sandwich was smallish in size, though tender and peppery; the leaner parts were on the drier side. An extra coleslaw helped balance the saltiness. Overall not as tasty as its NYC analog at Katz's. read more

Schwartz's - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

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Amazing food. Great service. And totally old school deli inside. Go now! Seriously, the poutine with smoked meat is off the charts! We got it with a side of coleslaw which a slightly sweet, sour and slightly almost wasabi or horseradish flavor. Goes great with the poutine. They are very fast considering how many people they serve. They run a tight ship. read more

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The first time I had Schwartz's was back in 2019 with my husband for our wedding anniversary while visiting Montréal. Now we are back with family and friends to have another bite at this great establishment. It's another one of those staples to the city that is worth the visit. The restaurant is split in two - the left side for take away and the right side as their restaurant. The restaurant side is small, so if you have a big group it may be easier to order takeaway instead. There are tables on the left side and then bar seating to the right of the order counter which takes orders for takeaway once their takeaway side closes for the day. The thing you have to grab when visiting is their smoked meat sandwich and a can of black cherry soda. In our first visit they had Cott's, but now (2026) it seems that Cott's may have been discontinued so now they have Fleischer's black cherry soda which is sweeter than the Cott soda I liked more. The smoked meat is super tender and very juicy. It comes with mustard as a standard, if you want without you have to tell them when you order. Their meat has been prepared the same as they had opened- seasoned with their blend of spices, marinated for ten days, then smoked overnight and steamed during the day. If you're a New Yorker who loves Katz's, you would love Schwartz's too. It has the old school vibes, with the great food and service. Looking forward to coming back again in the future. read more

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Popular easy eats sandwich spot with epic smoked meats. Went for a quick lunch and saw the sit-down line was very long. Decided to grab food for takeaway. Ordered some smoked meat sandwich and fries. Found a little nook in the takeaway area where we could sit. Was a good, filling lunch. Would come back! read more

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For locals and tourists alike, Schwartz's is a must try. Open since 1928, it's famous for its Montréal smoked meat. The interior has a classic deli look, and offers both counter and table seating. Lines often form outside, but the staff keeps things moving efficiently. My family and I went on a Thursday, and arrived around 9:30am. We were the first ones there, but 15-20 others joined us prior to opening. Once we were seated, we ordered a smoked meat sandwich, turkey sandwich, French fries, and a couple dill pickles. The fries and pickles were both above average, but the highlight was the quality of the meats. The turkey was incredibly fresh, neither dry nor slimy. Although I enjoyed the turkey sandwich, the smoked meat is what Schwartz's is known for. The brisket is cured for 10-12 days, smoked, and then steamed the day it's served. Steaming moisturizes, reheats, and tenderizes the meat. The smoked meat sandwich was so good, I ended up ordering the poutine à la Schwartz's. This is the ultimate Canadian dish: poutine topped with Montréal smoked meat. Despite being pretty full from the sandwich, I didn't leave a crumb. Some might call Schwartz's a tourist trap, but the quality of its meats is undeniable. Food aside, the overall experience and history make it one of a kind. Personally, I ate at over 10 establishments while in Montréal, and this was my favorite of the bunch. read more

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The ambiance and history of Schwartz's is legendary. They have been doing smoked meat for forever. When going there, make sure to have the smoked meat sandwich. A great tip is to order extra rye bread. The meat is enough to make a second sandwich. Try the different types of mustard - definitely adds to the experience. The pickles are awesome - and since they've added fries and poutine, you are now getting the full package. Service is quick, and the staff are professional and very eager to assist. It's a right of passage to come here. Spend some time looking at all of the famous people's photos on the wall. Be prepared to be sitting at a table with a bunch of other people. Take home some spices for later. You may see someone famous while you are there. And be prepared to wait a bit for the service, especially if you come right at prime hours. read more

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Schwartz's Deli in Montreal is often described as the Canadian counterpart to Katz's Delicatessen in New York City. While both iconic institutions are known for their legendary meat sandwiches, they differ in ways that make each special in its own right. This isn't about declaring a winner, it's about appreciating what each deli brings to the table. Katz's pastrami is juicy, bold, and packed with flavor. The meat is peppery, well-seasoned, and deeply savory. Schwartz's smoked meat, on the other hand, is incredibly tender and so soft it practically falls apart with each bite. It has a pleasant smoky flavor but isn't as salty or peppery as Katz's pastrami, making it a milder yet equally satisfying experience. Portion size is another noticeable difference. Katz's sandwiches are famously massive, but they also come with a much higher price tag. Schwartz's sandwiches are smaller and more reasonably priced, which makes them easier to tackle in one sitting. Even the mustard sets the two apart. Schwartz's mustard has a lighter, more subtle flavor compared to the sharp punch often found at Katz's. When it comes to service, both delis shine. They're quick, friendly, and efficient despite being consistently busy. Schwartz's is a much smaller restaurant, but like Katz's, its walls are filled with photos of celebrities and notable visitors. Both spots stay open late and maintain a lively, energetic atmosphere. What truly sets Schwartz's apart, though, is their smoked meat poutine. This dish is the star of the show. While I wished the fries were a bit crispier, the combination of rich gravy, squeaky cheese curds, and tender smoked meat was outstanding. It's something you simply can't get at Katz's. The sour pickles were a refreshing contrast to all the meat but fairly standard and not particularly memorable. Overall, if you're ever in Montreal, a visit to Schwartz's is a must. As a New Yorker, I'll admit that sandwich versus sandwich, Katz's has a slight edge in flavor. But we don't have smoked meat poutine so that alone makes Schwartz's worth the trip. read more

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Okay so I only had 1-2 bites of the iconic Schwartz's sandwich, so take my review with a grain of salt. The meat honestly surprised me in a good way. I was expecting it to be overhyped, but I think I understand the hype. It is SO soft, tender, and juicy/fatty (in a good way). There's delight in its simplicity. I think it's definitely worth a try if you appreciate beef, though it is a tad pricey. read more

Schwartz's - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

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The meat is very flavorful and well salted. Even the takeout line is kind of long, and hot. One sandwich was plenty for us to share after we had already sampled some pastries nearby. read more

If you are from New York and want to try a staple just like Katz Deli, this is it! The sandwich was so delicious and the poutine...*chefs kiss* don't skip this place if you are ever in Montreal ! The staff were super friendly and the space is very much like a fast food resto. read more

Definitely a must stop in the Montreal area. The smoked meat is just so good and always a solid meal. You can get it in a sandwich, meat on its own or on poutine. Service is quick and attentive because they need to turn over tables pretty quickly for the crowds that come and this is a no reservation spot. The dining environment felt like an old school diner spot. You can eat at the bar or there are some tables and chairs. There's also a take out spot only and market next door. read more

Schwartz's - Best smoked meat I've tasted! - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

You go here for the food and the service. It's an institution. Small deli almost 100 years old is exactly what you'd expect. You feel at home. Of course Montreal smoked meat and their poutine.... Probably the best. It's a must go to for tourists. While the lines are long they move fast and it's worth the wait! read more

Still the best deli sandwich out there. Their Montreal Smoked Meat is yet to be beat over the years. Service was surprisingly fast when we came. No line so we got seats and got served immediately. Years of great service and stories told about this place. Interior is absolutely timeless. Never change! read more

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The most well known spot for Montreal smoked meat sandwiches. Plenty of tasty meat, bread, mustard. Keep it simple. Get it with a pickle and cherry cola for the full experience. There's always a line to get a table at the deli, but you can go their 2nd entrance next door for takeout. Everything is claustrophobic but the food is great, and fun ambiance. Not a fan of their pickles. The skin is thick and they're too big IMO. You can buy their Montreal steak spice in little shakers. read more

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Little to no wait time, and would be worth the wait if there was one! Delicious smoked meat sandwich, and I tried the Schwartz style poutine as well- just as tasty! Part of the charm of dining here is being seated with other customers here to enjoy the good eats alongside you! Bustling, and for good reason! Hole-in-the-wall feel, definitely a stop you need to make if in the area! read more

Schwartz's - Sandwich à la viande fumée / Smoked Meat Sandwich (#4) - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

Quite a long line to get in but it moves super quick. We were agreeable to eat outside but then wondered if the menu was different inside. Order was taken super fast but food itself took way long than expected for fries and a simple sandwich. Staff are super busy and also only have 1 payment machine. Sandwich was 10/10 good. Fries were 7/10. Next time I'd rather get 2 sandwiches. Overall 100% worth the wait! read more

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Schwartz was fine, but not as good as I remember. The food was good, though it didn't quite live up to the hype or past visits. What really stood out was an odd service hiccup. We were given fries we didn't order. The server acknowledged the mistake and said they were on the house, but a few minutes later came back and took them away, saying his boss wouldn't allow it. Not a huge deal, but it was weird. Don't think I'll be coming back on my next visit to Montreal. read more

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Amazing smoked meat. Great service. Awesome old school deli vibe and feel. Very much the Canadian version of Katzs in NYC. There is table service, so you do not have to order at the counter. The smoked meat sandwich is awesome, and big. order it medium to get a little more fat and prevent it from being dry. I had the poutins, coleslaw, and pickle. All three were perfect. I try to come here every tie I am in town. read more

Schwartz's lived up to its reputation! Good, flavorful smoked meat reminiscent of Katz's. There are 2 entrance, left entrance for takeaway and right entrance you line up for dining in. I arrived midweek around 5pm and waited about 15 mins for a single seat on the counter. The service is quick and lukewarm friendly. I ordered the medium, not too lean or fatty, smoked meat sandwich (#4) with a coke. Everything from pickles to slaw is on the side. The sandwich came quick, but being American I was surprised at how small it was. If you have been to Katz's you know what I mean--sandwiches are for sharing! Schwartz's sandwich was about 1/2 the size--kind of like if Katz 's had a baby. The good news it is the perfect size for 1 person to finish and at CA$15 it was priced well. Flavor was spot on. You ask for the receipt and pay at the cashier desk. They do accept Visa and Mastercard. Definitely worth a stop on your Montreal culinary journey. read more

Schwartz's - Window Dressing at Schwartz's - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

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I was so excited to try Schwartz after looking at the pictures on yelp. I followed a reviewer's recommendation to do take-out instead of waiting for a table and it was a great decision. I was in and out of the store in less than 10 minutes. The sandwich was super fresh - the smoked meat was soft and flavorful which paired perfectly with the mustard and white bread. It was such a simple sandwich but it was packed with flavor. This is a must-try in Montreal! read more

Schwartz's - Sandwich à la viande fumée / Smoked Meat Sandwich - Delis Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

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