Sublime! Smoked meat (brisket) is a reason to visit Montreal. Perfectly pink, melt-in-your-mouth tender, well seasoned, and trimmed in scrumptious fat... You must have this in your life... And I only tried 1/4 lb.
Undoubtedly 5 stars and assuredly a must do on every and all trips to Montreal. I was lukewarm to the idea of making a point to visit a Jewish deli in Quebec. How and why would a "deli" be a destination. Even though I saw quotes from an American Francophile celebrity chef imploring tourists to visit Schwartz's I remained non-plussed.
Then I asked my tour guide a life long Montrealer an open question, "What Québécois food must I be sure to eat?" - expecting to be told to try pouting or venison, I was surprised when he said our smoked meats and that redoubled when he said Schwartz's is one of the best in the province.
That piqued my interest but I foolishly did not set an intent on this as a destination. Instead I chanced upon it while strolling on St. Laurent and decided to grab some takeout. I was able to order by the pound and being very full at the time only ordered a quarter pound for me and Erin to share.