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| - Yes, I know it's a Montréal institution, and yes, I know you just have to try out some places because you just have to try out some places, but I just didn't get the hype that surrounds Schwartz's and their 'viande fumée'.
I got the smoked meat sandwich (medium fat), and it really didn't have much flavor, other than just tasting like a pile of meat. While tender, there was no real spice or seasoning coming through, and the smoking process interestingly didn't really enhance the flavor of the meat. The rye is good but doesn't really hold up to the meat, with the sandwich falling apart once you get about half-way through. The fries are an afterthought for the kitchen, lukewarm and more limp than crisp - don't bother.
What *is* impressive is how quickly they can turn customers here - I was seated at the counter and was in and out in less than 15 minutes, a veritable turnstile. Based on my own experience, my guess is that Schwartz's is resting on its laurels a bit, knowing that the tourists will be coming by given its long history. IMHO, the delis in New York have nothing to worry about.
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