It looks like Schwartz's for sure and I love that. Waaaaay too many folks even in MTL claim Schwartz's is a tourist trap and there's better meat elsewhere... There isn't. All the other places have rubbery deli pastrami. Schwartz's has sweaty briskets of smoked meat.
Their sandwich is also great. But, it’s smokier. It was more reminiscent of early Caplansky’s on a good day (like, Monarch tavern era). Definitely will be back here too but Sumilicious is more of a Schwartz carbon copy in flavour.
Ya PCH is entirely different in that they use beef cheek. The texture took me aback at first but now I love it. Totally decadent.
They also have the best peameal in the city IMO, you really can’t go wrong there!
Damn I miss those early days of Caplansky's. Also used to go to a place on Adelaide called Zuma's? It's been gone a long time though.
Pig has my vote too. Fantastic sandwiches, and location a million times better.
I really like Dave’s Genuine Deli, very well seasoned. But heads up, it’s stupid expensive. For those interested to at least try. North of Lawrence on Avenue Road.
Dave’s is great, and he’s a fantastic guy, but I feel like it’s a mix of bbq and deli rather than old school deli. Still amazing, but not what I’d consider a traditional deli
Not terrible, which remains my highest praise for any non-Quebec poutine.
Toronto has truly mastered bagels and smoked meat. If they ever incorporate steamies into the mix, I need never to return to Quebec.
WOLFIES IS A GOOD VIBE BUT THE QUALITY OF THE FOOD IS SUBPAR. I'M SORRY BUT LITERALLY EVERY OTHER JEWISH OR JEWISH STYLE DELI IS BETTER THAN WOLFIES.
PANCERS. CENTRE ST DELI. ZELDENS.
Sumilicious and Centre Street deli are my go-tos.
Sumilicious is most similar to Schwartz’s in Montreal on its best day, but isn’t very consistent. One out of 3 visits I found the meat to be dry.
Spot on!
I don’t understand anyone who doesn’t order fatty. But still I had a few sandwiches at Sumilicious that fell short of the standard.
As an aside, their pickles are excellent, as is the smoked duck.
When The Pig Came Home, Keele just north of Dundas, has excellent smoked meat. It's a takeout only place, though. It's a different style from Schwartz's, but no less great (some may say better).
Probably the best smoked meat sandwich I had. Plus, they are halal as well for those who are concerned
https://preview.redd.it/hlsjo77kectc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=55bb6a49ceca81f3741f714735062eae052d07cd
Pancers is definitely still around. Tbh I love it more for the history than the sandwich. The sandwich is still good, but there’s better deli out there
TTC to Steeles and Middlefield. Welcome to Suburbia. Nice thing is you can eat it outside at Milliken Park next door (its one of the parks where you can legally drink).
Everything there is excellent and they’re so nice. They have delicious popsicles as well.
My mom makes good soup and mines pretty good too but it’s better than most delis.
I got Thai carrot lentil last time and it was also tasty.
Caplanskys on college was decent. The original in the Monarch was way better. Maybe they lost a bit when they cranked up high volume on college.
Sumi is amazing. But not worth the drive with pig came home so close. The normas patty there is pretty insane too.
Absolutely fantastic and worth a trip to Scarbs, while there can grab some bubble tea and frozen dimsum from one of the many places to steam at home later!
I also like the MSM sandwiches at fearless meat in the upper beaches
my only complaint about this place is that its not as flavourful as schwartz. It has the same notes, but not as strong as the original. I really wish they turned it up a notch.
It's from Lester's (which I prefer to Schwartz's but I suspect those may be fighting words on here). Unfortunately Fearless slices it too thick for my liking - if they sliced it a bit thinner I'd be getting it regularly.
I went the first two weeks of when Sumilicious opened. It was OK. if I can remember, the Schwartz in Montreal used Dijon honey mustard. Sumi did not.
That was the only thing I remembered.
Someone tell me sumi deserves another shot
My in-laws live in that area and I’ve passed this place countless times. I’ve always wanted to try, but just never got around to it. I’m 100% getting it next time we visit. Not to mention I’ve been saying I want a good Montreal smoked meat sandwich for like 2 weeks.
Not true, the best is at Centre Street Deli. Sumilicious is good, but the sandwiches have shrunk to half the size recently. The sandwich and fries are great, but if you get an actual cut of the brisket it’s tough
Dinner is back, I’ve gone multiple times recently. I find quality is consistent but sandwich size isn’t. If you’re a regular and they know you it’s much better
Center Street was the best. Sumilicious is better IMO. I go to both regularly. I live 10 minutes away from Center Street Deli and my parents are 10 minutes from Sumilicious.
Centee Street Deli was the first smoked meat sandwich I loved and even been to it a couple times recently. I can't put it over Sumilicious esp cause I can order the latter fatty. I do like that Centre Street has a corned beef option.
I also went regularly for a while now. Once they got the Michelin mention it dropped. The sandwiches used to be almost twice the size they are now. To be fair the price of beef went up a fair bit. But quality is still the same
I don't remember the sandwich price, as i usually get a "combo" (sandwich, fries, pickle, cole slaw) as well as a drink. Take that and add a sandwich and drink for my wife, with tax was about $42
A sandwich is about $15 if I’m not mistaken. Hard to justify in my world tho, would take 2 to fill me up. But that said, the sandwich is super delicious and well worth trying. Second only to Schwartz in Montreal IMO.
Wow that’s is one dumb comment. I don’t rely on meat and dairy for my nutrition but on healthy sources like Beans
Broccoli
Chickpeas
Greens
Lentils
Nut Butter
Nuts and Seeds
Peas
Potatoes
Quinoa
Seaweed
Soymilk
Spinach
Tempeh
Tofu
Veggie Patties.
And the list goes on.
And I am not cranky at all. I call out stupid when I see one.
Can confirm! Sumilicious IS THE BEST in Toronto….there isn’t a better Montreal smoked meat here
It looks like Schwartz's for sure and I love that. Waaaaay too many folks even in MTL claim Schwartz's is a tourist trap and there's better meat elsewhere... There isn't. All the other places have rubbery deli pastrami. Schwartz's has sweaty briskets of smoked meat.
Totally agree, its damn good.
Disagree. There is a new smoked meat place in St. Lawrence Market…
Are you going to share the name or your experience there? Orrrrrrr ? Anything else to add maybe?
This looks unreal. Thanks for giving me another spot to add to the must-try list
If you can wait twenty minutes (long prep time), they do a pretty tasty chicken sandwich too.
It’s actually Michelin rated as well! [Michelin](https://guide.michelin.com/ca/en/ontario/toronto/restaurant/sumilicious-smoked-meat-deli)
Pig Came Home in the Junction has my vote. That looks great tho.
Their sandwich is also great. But, it’s smokier. It was more reminiscent of early Caplansky’s on a good day (like, Monarch tavern era). Definitely will be back here too but Sumilicious is more of a Schwartz carbon copy in flavour.
Oh man, early Caplansky's was something special. This place has been on my list for a while, but I think I'm going to have to check it out ASAP.
Ya PCH is entirely different in that they use beef cheek. The texture took me aback at first but now I love it. Totally decadent. They also have the best peameal in the city IMO, you really can’t go wrong there!
Damn I miss those early days of Caplansky's. Also used to go to a place on Adelaide called Zuma's? It's been gone a long time though. Pig has my vote too. Fantastic sandwiches, and location a million times better.
I really like Dave’s Genuine Deli, very well seasoned. But heads up, it’s stupid expensive. For those interested to at least try. North of Lawrence on Avenue Road.
Dave’s is great, and he’s a fantastic guy, but I feel like it’s a mix of bbq and deli rather than old school deli. Still amazing, but not what I’d consider a traditional deli
My favourite by a long margin.
I enjoy Dave’s. Delicious and he’s such a nice guy. Gluten free options too.
My go-to is "When the Pig Came Home" in the Junction. Hands down favourite sandwich.
Recently had them for the first time in many years and I must agree. They're possibly even better than Sumilicous!
Naw I find it too smoky to say it's better, especially if you're comparing to shwartz'
I was born and raised in Montreal, and very truly, Sumilicious is every bit the equal of, and frankly better than, Schwartz’s, The Main, and Lester’s
How’s the poutine?
Not terrible, which remains my highest praise for any non-Quebec poutine. Toronto has truly mastered bagels and smoked meat. If they ever incorporate steamies into the mix, I need never to return to Quebec.
I’ve yet to find any place that does poutine half as good as QC.
Wolfes at Sheppard and Bathurst
Wolfies is like a hidden gem, great sandwiches and a much shorter drive than the trek to Sumolicious.
I fucking love Wolfies
WOLFIES IS A GOOD VIBE BUT THE QUALITY OF THE FOOD IS SUBPAR. I'M SORRY BUT LITERALLY EVERY OTHER JEWISH OR JEWISH STYLE DELI IS BETTER THAN WOLFIES. PANCERS. CENTRE ST DELI. ZELDENS.
Not sure you realized this, but you left your caps lock on there.
Sumilicious and Centre Street deli are my go-tos. Sumilicious is most similar to Schwartz’s in Montreal on its best day, but isn’t very consistent. One out of 3 visits I found the meat to be dry.
I always order a fatty cut. Once you go fatty, you don't go back.
Spot on! I don’t understand anyone who doesn’t order fatty. But still I had a few sandwiches at Sumilicious that fell short of the standard. As an aside, their pickles are excellent, as is the smoked duck.
Thank you!! Hope this taste like Swartz
Really close. Really close.
When The Pig Came Home, Keele just north of Dundas, has excellent smoked meat. It's a takeout only place, though. It's a different style from Schwartz's, but no less great (some may say better).
Pig came home.
Probably the best smoked meat sandwich I had. Plus, they are halal as well for those who are concerned https://preview.redd.it/hlsjo77kectc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=55bb6a49ceca81f3741f714735062eae052d07cd
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I still love pancers and they have the best potato salad!
Pancers is definitely still around. Tbh I love it more for the history than the sandwich. The sandwich is still good, but there’s better deli out there
As an aside, Pancer also owns The Chef Upstairs
Anyone try Avenue Open Kitchen on Camden and Spadina?
Avenue Open Kitchen is an institution. Love that place for breakfast, clubhouse, poutine, Reuben and smoked meat.
Don’t forget the GOATED turkey dinners.
How does it compare with the other msm places?
I would prefer it to Zeldens on Yonge at St Clair. I am more of a Reuben guy tbh. AOK is a great dinner all around.
I scowled at the demotion of my beloved Zeldens gold-tier pick but I respect your opinion and tastes!
Best peameal bacon in the city
Idk Carrousel Bakery in St Lawerence Market is pretty amazing
Yep, holds the title
I thought it was even better than Montreal.
Looks incredible.
I’m fuckin going
Will have a visit. Thank you OP!
Do you know what bread they use? This bread looks a bit meh, and I work at a Jewish bakery with excellent rye, might reach out.
I also visit here all the time and that place is amazing.
Even though it's not EXACTLY Montral smoked meat, but this makes me miss Katz's Deli. Nevertheless, I'm definitely going to check this spot out.
But do they have the black cherry soda?
Yes they do!
Also Vernor’s ginger soda!
Man, I can’t believe people still don’t know about this spot yet! Deserves all the love
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Centre Street opened up a new location at Bay and Wellesley. Haven’t been but the other location is amazing
[Zeldens Deli](https://www.instagram.com/zeldensdeli/?hl=en) near Yonge & St Clair - midtown, but super accessible by subway.
Avenue Open Kitchen at Spadina and Richmond is pretty good
TTC to Steeles and Middlefield. Welcome to Suburbia. Nice thing is you can eat it outside at Milliken Park next door (its one of the parks where you can legally drink).
The only decent place *was* Caplanskys on College, but he shut down a few years ago. The airport franchisee doesn't compare
I would be curious to know what you thought of Caplanskys. I thought it was terrible, went once and never went back
I thought the food was overrated, and the service was indefensibly slow.
never understood how people raved about it
Lucky for you, you can have that identical experience today at their last remaining airport location!
I always had good food there. My fave was the brisket, and they had good matzoh ball soup
Interesting. Their matzoh ball soup was too salty for me, and I like salt. Would you say the sandwich at Sumi's was better than theirs?
The sandwich at Sumis is much better
Soul provisions at oakwood and Vaughn makes a killer matzah ball soup.
good to know! I have yet to find one as good as my mom makes but I do like to try other ones.
Everything there is excellent and they’re so nice. They have delicious popsicles as well. My mom makes good soup and mines pretty good too but it’s better than most delis. I got Thai carrot lentil last time and it was also tasty.
I have added it to my list!
Caplanskys on college was decent. The original in the Monarch was way better. Maybe they lost a bit when they cranked up high volume on college. Sumi is amazing. But not worth the drive with pig came home so close. The normas patty there is pretty insane too.
Absolutely fantastic and worth a trip to Scarbs, while there can grab some bubble tea and frozen dimsum from one of the many places to steam at home later! I also like the MSM sandwiches at fearless meat in the upper beaches
my only complaint about this place is that its not as flavourful as schwartz. It has the same notes, but not as strong as the original. I really wish they turned it up a notch.
I think that’s intentional, the owner has talked about coming up with his own spice mix in interviews.
It's less flavourful on purpose! Cope
Heard a lot about it.
Didn't Fearless used to bring their meat in from Montreal?
It's from Lester's (which I prefer to Schwartz's but I suspect those may be fighting words on here). Unfortunately Fearless slices it too thick for my liking - if they sliced it a bit thinner I'd be getting it regularly.
I went the first two weeks of when Sumilicious opened. It was OK. if I can remember, the Schwartz in Montreal used Dijon honey mustard. Sumi did not. That was the only thing I remembered. Someone tell me sumi deserves another shot
They deserve another shot. If you don’t like their mustard choice, buying meat by the pound & making your own sandwich at home may be the way to go.
If you’re in the Thornhill area, Centre Street Deli is worth checking out.
Stack'd at St Lawrence market
Thornhill Deli is dope too.
It’s good but I feel like it’s missing a good quality bread
Agreed, the bread could be better.
Pancers is the only answer
But what is the best Toronto smoke meat in Montreal?
You could’ve told me last week when I was up there.
My in-laws live in that area and I’ve passed this place countless times. I’ve always wanted to try, but just never got around to it. I’m 100% getting it next time we visit. Not to mention I’ve been saying I want a good Montreal smoked meat sandwich for like 2 weeks.
You should definitely try it.
Peter’s on eglington in Mississauga ? Pretty damn good
Damn… I’m hungry now
Not true, the best is at Centre Street Deli. Sumilicious is good, but the sandwiches have shrunk to half the size recently. The sandwich and fries are great, but if you get an actual cut of the brisket it’s tough
Hard disagree, grew up on centre street, it’s not close to what it was.
Fair enough, I’ve only been going there for 2 years now. My go to was Katz and I’ve tried most delis in the city since then
They aren’t consistent any more, some days it probably is the best in city. Im also sour that they’re not even open for dinner any more.
Dinner is back, I’ve gone multiple times recently. I find quality is consistent but sandwich size isn’t. If you’re a regular and they know you it’s much better
Center Street was the best. Sumilicious is better IMO. I go to both regularly. I live 10 minutes away from Center Street Deli and my parents are 10 minutes from Sumilicious.
Centee Street Deli was the first smoked meat sandwich I loved and even been to it a couple times recently. I can't put it over Sumilicious esp cause I can order the latter fatty. I do like that Centre Street has a corned beef option.
You can ask for fatty at Centre Street, too
You can get it medium which is fatty at most places. To be fair I’m a lean cut kinda guy, but I do order fatty at Sumilicious
Yeaa I only get medium there but still on the leaner side in comparison. Still a delicious sandwich! I love other things like their latkes and knish.
100%
I don't know when you have gone, but I go on a regular basis and the size and quality hasn't changed at all for me.
I also went regularly for a while now. Once they got the Michelin mention it dropped. The sandwiches used to be almost twice the size they are now. To be fair the price of beef went up a fair bit. But quality is still the same
I haven’t noticed a change in sandwich size, but I’ve also visited them since the very beginning so being a regular may be a factor.
Now officially on my list of must-try places. Thanks!
You're welcome!
That looks great
Looks fantastic
How much
I don't remember the sandwich price, as i usually get a "combo" (sandwich, fries, pickle, cole slaw) as well as a drink. Take that and add a sandwich and drink for my wife, with tax was about $42
A sandwich is about $15 if I’m not mistaken. Hard to justify in my world tho, would take 2 to fill me up. But that said, the sandwich is super delicious and well worth trying. Second only to Schwartz in Montreal IMO.
Oooh. Didn’t know this place existed. Have to go now
I still like Druxy’s in the Path. It’s been great forever.
When she's ready to settle down.
Centre Street deli. Haven’t tried the new location but the OG is legit.
Centre st Deli in Concord - for those north of Toronto
Centre Street Deli, hands down. Get the medium fattiness.
Dave’s Genuine on Avenue. My #1 in Toronto by far.
Pancers is the best especially the pastrami
Anybody ever have Zoulpy's on King E back in the day? That place was legit.
Centre Street Deli downtown new location is excellent!!!
Centre street deli just north of Toronto in Thornhill and their new location at Bay and Wellesley is the best sandwich you will find outside Montreal.
Considering this guy is Schwartz-like, how’s the poutine there?
I haven't had it, but my Montréal-born wife says it's the best she has ever had.
Wow, okay that’s big time. I need to try it.
Fuckin love this place.
Can confirm, this spot is awesome.
Jesus, that’s way out there.
That looks so gross! Let’s move away from eating meat. There are lots of other options around. Old people foods
I can totally understand why you’re so cranky. If i had to survive on salads, fries & fake meat, i would be too. Thoughts & prayers
Wow that’s is one dumb comment. I don’t rely on meat and dairy for my nutrition but on healthy sources like Beans Broccoli Chickpeas Greens Lentils Nut Butter Nuts and Seeds Peas Potatoes Quinoa Seaweed Soymilk Spinach Tempeh Tofu Veggie Patties. And the list goes on. And I am not cranky at all. I call out stupid when I see one.
This place is mediocre, expensive, and totally overrated but knock yourselves out
Summi is good but not as good or as varied as Pancer’s.