There are few things that scream Montreal more than smoked meat. Not quite corned beef, and not as heavily spiced as pastrami, the deli staple — layered and piled high onto fresh rye bread with a swab of mustard — has been a favorite of Montrealers for decades, particularly in the Jewish community. Today I’m very excited to be heading to Snowdon Deli in the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood, which has been humbly serving deli favorites for over 70 years.
Unlike some of the splashier, more tourist-centered delis like Schwartz’s, Snowdon is truly a neighborhood place, and the smoked meat is second-to-none. The kosher, smoked meat is tender and juicy; prepared by first curing and then smoking and steaming until it’s fall-apart tender. The infusion of various spices is what gives it that deep smoky flavor. Snowdon has a wonderful atmosphere, completely lacking pretension, and definitely serves the best smoked meat I’ve ever tried.
Click for more episodes of Dining on a Dime | Subscribe to Eater on YouTube
