Saturday, June 14, 2008

Schwartz's Deli

Walking to Schwartz's on St. Laurent

Montreal is famous for it's smoked meat sandwiches and where better to eat them than at Schwartz's -the oldest deli in Montreal. After a year and half of hearing how great this place was, we finally took my parents down during Craig's lunch break this week. Craig had heard continuously that the wait staff and owners had little patience for doddling. "You get in, order, eat, and get out - quickly".

A bit like Seinfeld's Soup Nazi episode, Craig was instructed by his co-workers to order as follows: Walk in, hold up four fingers indicating you need a table for four, move quickly when instructed, sit, order 4 medium sandwiches, 4 pickles, 4 cokes, and 4 fries; say nothing else and leave as soon as you're done.

It's small and cozy and you get to know your neighbors as you are inches away from them. Ours were from New York and somehow managed to squeeze a baby stroller next to them. Almost sure that this couldn't be like the soup nazi episode, we heard our neighbors behind us ordering. They wanted a steak, but the waiter was sure this couldn't be what they wanted, and argued with them for several minutes that they really wanted a smoked meat sandwich. We got side tracked on our own conversation and don't know who won. Our neighbors at our table wanted to order another pickle, their was some confusion about the type of pickle, until I could hear the husband whispering across the table "just shut-up, just shut-up" and then saying loudly to the waiter, "we'll take the pickle".

We had a good experience, but we could see that if you weren't specific with what you wanted - it might not be such a great experience. The food was really good and something I would say is an absolute must do, if you come to Montreal. It's all part of the fun of doing new things!

11 comments:

Barb said...

I think Natalie took my inlaws there just a couple of weeks ago. They have a photo of people lined up down the sidewalk waiting to get in. The Sandwich Nazi - who knew?

Marie said...

Good food is worth a line. When I was growing up and we would go out to a resturant (a novelty) my dad would drive until there was a resturant with a packed parking lot and we'd eat there. If there were so many people, that meant it was good.

jenny said...

That reminds me of a place in New Orleans called Mother's. You better know what you want or else. That is too funny. Glad you had some notes before going :)

crystal said...

Oh, this is hilarious! A for-real Soup Nazi place! Glad you're having fun with your parents :)

Jennfer said...

That sounds like a lot of fun and a lot of stress. I love that you heard someone else stress about the pickles. So funny!

Lauralee said...

glad someone gave you a heads up! sounds intense.. but fun.. and worth it!

Holly said...

I'd crumble under all that pressure!

Hope it was tasty. :)

Amanda said...

This made me laugh out loud! I will remember this if we ever head up that way! What a great shot of your table. Enjoy your parents and your trip!! Hope you have great weather and enjoy the outlets!

Elise said...

I am glad you had a heads up on the "protocol". It looks like that information made your experience all that much more enjoyable.

Love
Elise

Chrissy, said...

love the soup nazi story. As for the raccoon the animal control won't take it and they don't want us to release it either. It only leaves one option. Jason is very tender hearted and so the neighbor took it away for me. Nice neighborly thing to do, eh? Yes the treat bags are from their teacher he is a 17 year old boy that has been our home teacher since he was 12. He is super good with them. Yoru summer is sounding great. I need to stop a few things and relax more. That is top on my list. Love your header.

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

Crazy! I don't think I could go there as it takes me forever to order!