ACZoom  ·  Archive-2016

New in 2013!

It is more of a novelty than anything - the Schwartz's Sandwich is far better in terms of enjoying smoked meat. In any case, the best poutine is also the basic nothing-added version, so this smoked-meat added poutine doesn't really increase the pleasure. The poutine itself is good, given that the fries at Schwartz's are truly outstanding.

This is only served at the Schwartz's Next Door Take Out Counter (Schwartz's à côté), which is not open all the time - may only be open during summer rush hours, for example, and closed in winter, etc.

Inside of the new (2008) Chez Schwartz’s à côté ("Schwartz's Next Door"). It is for takeout only, but does have a small seating area which is first come first served.
This place is only open during summer rush hours, it seems.

2008 saw the opening of a new take-out counter.
(à côté de == next to)

While it is for takeout only, they do have a small seating area which is first come first served.
This place is only open during summer rush hours, it seems.

Rare sight - nearly empty, see it like this before 11AM or after 11PM. This is the front section of the small deli, with the cutting station at the front next to the door, where all the meat is hand-sliced.

Rare sight - all empty! See it like this before 11AM or after 11PM.

This is a picture of the sandwich - one bite and you are in heaven! Note the perfect size too - unlike the huge Carnegie or Katz's offerings in the USA. This shows the medium meat so there is just the right amount of fat with the meat, and this combination makes for a great taste.
Lean meat is also available but that is to be avoided, and then full fat or gras style is also available, and that is too extreme on the other end - too rich.

In the picture, the slices that look whole will taste very tender, given the fat with it.
The broken-down crumbs are the lean variety, and there is an abundant amount of black pepper spices seen on the meat. So each bite can be medium, lean, spicy, just as you like it. And wash it down with the Black Cherry Soda, or black tea works well too.

It is this combination of hand-sliced meat, meat that fall apart easily, and the small slivers of lean meat, and the special spices that make the Schwartz's experience so different from other smoked meat places which seem to have a more orderly, sameness in consistency all across, and spices not as good - Schwartz's beats them all in taste and experience. The color is the first indicator - smoked meat that is pink or light red - and not dark red - never tastes as good as the dark red smoked meat.

Those with a larger appetite can order the small plate, which is equal to 2-3 sandwiches. There is also a large plate, but that is probably best when shared with multiple diners.

Additional comments in the Schwartz's Jewish Deli posting.

Sampling of the price of the sandwich in $CAD - an inflation indicator!
September 2006: $4.55
November 2007: $4.95
February 2012: $6.15
July 2013: $6.65
July 2014: $7.75
November 2014: $8.70
February 2015: $9.35, so more than doubled in 8.5 years. 9% annual rate of increase, higher than inflation which was 0.5% to 3% over this same period.
May 2016: $9.60

Long lines are common at rush hour. And it is worth all the trouble.

Opening hours, and location.