Amazing Montreal

Although I'm not a Habs fan, I'm all about my hometown, especially its food. Not only do we have some of the best high-end restaurants, but we also have the best "dives". In my opinion, a dive is a cheap, small, somewhat run-down joint with history and great food. Montreal is full of these. From Cosmos to Shwartz's (Left) to Marvin's, Montreal is the home of ethnic cuisine, greasy food and of course our infamous smoked meat. For those who have no clue what it is, Smoked Meat is brisket that is cured, spiced, flavoured and smoked, producing such an intense flavour that you'll be craving it again right after you finish.

Montreal also has its other gems. With Poutine (fries topped with gravy and cheese curds), our famous bagels (so much better than those belonging to our noisy neighbours to the south), and everything else this city has to offer, Montreal is hands down the most diverse and outrageously tasty city in the world.

Here is my list of top 5 staples in montreal (no particular order):

1) Shwartz's (3859 St. Laurent Boulevard)

As the father of smoked meat, Shwartz's was established in 1928 (more than 80 years ago) on St. Laurent street in the Mile End district of Montreal. It is considered a montreal landmark and will definitely remain so for years to come. At any time of the day the line can be out the door with people waiting to sit at the crammed tables or grab a sandwich to go. With its rich tradition and mouthwatering smoked meat, it is impossible for me not to stop by every time I'm in the area.

2) Fairmount Bagel (74 Fairmount West)

Fairmount bagel makes some of the best bagels around the city. Along with St-Viateur, Fairmount bagels are full of sesame seeds and warm flavourful dough. In my opinion, Fairmount makes a a slightly tastier bagel, but hey, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Isadore Shafman opened "The Original Fairmount Bagel Factory" in Montreal in 1949. Ever Since then, they have rolled the dough by hand and cooked them in their wood fired ovens. You cannot come to montreal without tasting a Fairmount bagel. I guess St-Viateur's are all right as well.

3) La Banquise (994 Rachel Est)

Now, one of the most devoured foods in the province of Quebec would have to be poutine. Poutine is a combination of frites (fries), gravy, and cheese curds. So, after my entire life of living in this amazing city, I've had my fare share of poutines. So, in my opinion La Banquise is top notch. Here you can get over 20 types of poutines with everything from steak and green peppers to chicken and a sauce aux poivres. However, I dont fall for all these gimmick topings. I like a plain pipping hot poutine and there's no better place than La Banquise.

4) Wilensky's (34 Fairmount)

How does a grilled salami sandwich sound? Boring, right? Not at Wilensky's. The way they put the sandwich together makes my mouth water. I am simply addicted to the overall atmosphere and flavor of the Wilensky's special. You have this incredible grilled salami paired with an onion bun with mustard grilled in and some more mustard on top (add a piece of cheese for something like 50 cents). Plain but outstanding. And, to top it all off, you can wash it down with one of their homemade sodas (I like the vanilla coke). Delish!

5) Mister Steer (1198 St-Catherine Ouest)

I'm going to stray away from the Mile End district and make my way over to the downtown area. Mister Steer is hands down the best burger in Montreal. So juicy, so tender, so perfect. I don't know what it is about their burgers but their like "crack". Once you have some you itch for more. Although they have raised their prices recently, their fresh beef is to die for. I order mine medium rare so I can watch the juice run down my arm and down my sleeve. That's when you know its a perfect burger. You wanna know the best part about Steer though? It's smothered between two strip clubs. So, after a juicy burger, you gotta go upstairs and take a peek at some juicy titties.