Schwartz's facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Schwartz's |
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Schwartz's storefront
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 31 December 1928 |
| Food type | Kosher style Jewish delicatessen |
| Dress code | Casual |
| Rating | Recommended (Michelin Guide) |
| Street address | 3895 Saint Laurent Boulevard |
| City | Montreal |
| Postal/ZIP code | H2W 1X9 |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 45°30′58.5″N 73°34′39.73″W / 45.516250°N 73.5777028°W |
| Other information | CAD$9.2 million (2014 revenue) |
| Website | schwartzsdeli.com |
Schwartz's, also known as the Schwartz's Deli, is a very famous Jewish delicatessen restaurant. It is located on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. A Jewish immigrant from Romania named Reuben Schwartz started it in 1928. Because it has been popular for so long, many people see it as a special part of Montreal's culture.
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What Can You Eat at Schwartz's?
Schwartz's Famous Smoked Meat
Schwartz's is most famous for its smoked meat sandwich. This sandwich is served on rye bread with yellow mustard. You can choose how much fat you want in your meat: lean, medium, medium-fat, or fat. Medium and medium-fat are the most popular choices.
A classic meal at Schwartz's often includes a medium-fat sandwich. It also comes with fries, a half-sour pickle, coleslaw, a red pepper, and a black cherry soda. The restaurant's staff believes their smoked meat tastes special for a few reasons. They cure the meat for 10 days. They also use a brick smoke-house that has been used for over 90 years.
Montreal Steak Seasoning's Origin
Schwartz's is also known for helping create "Montreal steak seasoning." In the 1940s and 1950s, a cook named Morris "The Shadow" Sherman worked there. He started adding the deli's smoked meat spices to his own steaks. People loved it so much that other restaurants in Montreal copied the idea.
The History of Schwartz's Deli
Schwartz's is one of the oldest delicatessen restaurants still open in Montreal. Other long-time delis like Bens De Luxe and Main Deli Steak House have closed down. Schwartz's still makes most of its food, like its smoked meat, right in the restaurant. Some other delis started buying pre-cooked meat, which many people think made their food less tasty.
For many years, Schwartz's main competitor was the Main Deli Steak House. It was located right across the street. People often compared the two restaurants. Schwartz's frequently won awards for "Best Montreal Sandwich." It was also very popular with tourists, who would wait in long lines to eat there.
Language Laws and "Smoked Meat"
In 1977, a law called the Charter of the French Language (Bill 101) was passed in Quebec. This law made changes to how businesses could use French and English. Schwartz's sign had to be changed from "Hebrew delicatessen" to "Charcuterie Hébraïque de Montréal."
The restaurant also had to fight a rule to change the name "Smoked Meat" to "Boeuf Mariné." They argued that changing the name would confuse their customers. They won their appeal, proving that "Smoked Meat" was a well-known term. Because of this, "Smoked meat" became an accepted term in both English and French in Quebec.
Who Has Owned Schwartz's?
Schwartz's has had several owners since it first opened:
- Reuben Schwartz (1928–1971): He founded the "Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen" in 1928.
- Maurice Zbriger (1971–1981): He was a violinist and composer. Maurice became a partner and then the sole owner. He made Schwartz's very successful.
- Armande Toupin Chartrand (1981–1999): She was Maurice Zbriger's caretaker and he left the deli to her in his will.
- Hy Diamond (1999–2012): He was the deli's accountant for many years before becoming the owner.
- The Nakis and Angélil-Dion family (2012–present): This group bought Schwartz's in 2012. It includes Paul Nakis, his granddaughter Anastasia, and famous singer Celine Dion with her husband René Angélil.
Schwartz's Future and Products
Schwartz's restaurant is quite small, which often leads to long lines outside. However, the owners have chosen to keep it in its historic spot. They believe this location is a big part of its charm for both regular customers and tourists.
Many people have wanted to open Schwartz's restaurants in other cities. But the owners have always said no to these ideas. They want to keep the special quality of the original deli. However, in 2013, Schwartz's started selling its smoked meat in supermarkets. You can now find vacuum-sealed packages of their smoked meat in grocery stores across Canada.
Awards and Recognition
In 2025, Schwartz's received a "Recommended" designation in Quebec's first Michelin Guide. This means that Michelin inspectors found the food to be very good. It shows that the chefs use quality ingredients and cook them well.
See also
