For the inaugural episode of Dining on a Dime: Montreal, I’m heading to one of Montreal’s most beloved institutions, which also lends itself to a giant point of contention between Montrealers and New Yorkers. Both cities are extraordinarily proud of their bagels, and while there’s enough debate around New York to last centuries, Montreal is easily devoted to St-Viateur. The small storefront on Rue Saint Viateur is pumping bagels out by the dozen all 24 hours of the day, most of them aggressively coasted in sesame seeds.
I love New York bagels, but Montreal bagels definitely give them something to worry about. These Montreal bagels are chewy, doughy, and very slightly sweet after being briefly boiled in honey water. And hot out of the oven, these bagels are a such a revelation that I don’t even want to add cream cheese.
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