MAIN DELI

The smoke meat sandwich is alright. The service is good. The meat is tender and soft but not well seasoned . The bread is plain and it can be grilled for a tastier sandwich $12.75 for a sandwich. The fries are below average.

Had to leave a review so I don’t forget this place! It was truly a hidden gem. Delicious combo meat sandwich and matzah ball soup for my husband and I. Fantastic server, fast service, and kind customers around. Will come back every time we’re in Montreal! Thanks for a great experience!

The patio outside was completely full but inside was empty. We decided to sit inside. Similar to other experiences the service wasn’t terrible but only having two waiting staff on duty is a little small for such a large clientele. The food itself was good, not amazing. The side pickle and coleslaw was delicious, the smoked meat was nice but the bread felt store bought and super tiny, the fries looks a tad burnt. I liked that the smoked meat wasn’t super salty as it tends to be in certain places and was lean cuts which was also nice. There was some strange bickering going on between the staff as well. Service 3/5 Food 4/5

Choice of smoked meat for locals. Better and more comfortable seating than Schwartz's across the street. There are options for fattiness of the smoked meat sandwich. I think medium hits the balance of a juicy and meaty bite every bite. The combo is not that good of a value, but worth it if you want to try their fries and coleslaw. Would come again to try other diner style food.

After reading about the top spots for a Montreal smoked meat sandwich, I decided that I wanted to try the Main deli. I am sooooo glad that I did because the food and service were excellent. Our waitress was extremely friendly, cheerful, and went over the menu with us when we told her it was our first time. She treated every table the same and definetely made the dining experience a good one from the start. We ordered a combo and an extra smoked meat sandwich to share between two, and it was a good amount for dinner. The combo (~$22) includes a sandwich, pickle, coleslaw, fries, and drink. We subbed the fries for poutine and it was delicious. I really enjoyed the coleslaw as it wasn't overly creamy like many other places, but more on the vingarette side. For the sandwiches we did one with medium meat and the other medium-fat. Both were loaded with meat which was flavourful and tender. There was the perfect amount of mustard added and it wasn't overpowering. Would recommend the Main for a good diner atomosphere sit in for an awesome smoked meat sandwich and service. The menu has a lot of offerings, so I can't wait to try more the next time I'm in Montreal!

While the other dishes are ok, the smoked meat sandwich are extremly delicious. The meat was tender and so flavourful with the right amount of fat to retain its juiciness. I appreciate it being kept simple so that the flavour of the smoked meat can be elevated. The ambience is very retro and service was very warm. Will come back.

Saw this place on "You Gotta Eat Here" and have been wanting to go since! The staff are super friendly; their smoked meat has a nice, strong pepper flavour that goes well with the mustard!! Fries are also crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Next time I'm back in Montreal, I will be back here!!

We tried this Restaurent to compare to the other smoke meats and judge it fairly. The purine was not good, the fries were a bit hard and it was just too salty. The smoked meat was also a bit bland (missing pepper and more spiciness) and the portion could be bigger for the price. I honestly was hoping to be blown away by the quality so that I would always return here but it just wasn’t the day I guess. The waitress was helpful and good. Overall I may not return to this Restaurent if I have other options.

The sandwich was good but in my opinion it was a bit dry. We went on New Years Eve at around 8 or 9pm. The meat was cut fresh when we ordered and the bread was soft and grabbed straight from the plastic packaging. The mustard was strong but not overpowering. I only wish the meat was on a slightly fattier side. The whole sandwich needed some moisture to it.

Montreal is, of course, known for four things: (1) poutine, (2) "bagels", (3) being the global center of the French language, and (4) smoked meat. In this review of Main Deli, we shall investigate the fourth and final item: smoked meat. During my visit, I sampled a smoked meat sandwich and the coleslaw. Both were very tasty. The meat on the sandwich was freshly cut from a smoked chunk of carcass and piled high onto a piece of bread the size of a child's hand. The meat was generously portioned, but it was certainly a fork and knife endeavor because of the relatively small bread size. It is worth mentioning that smoked meat is simply pastrami. The sandwich alone was dry: meat and bread. Fortunately, my side of coleslaw and the hefty bottle of mustard on the table came in handy to moisten things up. Holistically, however, the food was good. Prices were also reasonable and the service was speedy. Overall, I would recommend Main Deli for your Jewish delicatessen needs in Montreal. Just beware if you visit the washroom: upon return the meatcutter will tell you to speak with the wait staff, who will tersely ask what you want, and order you to sit back down when you say: nothing, I was merely ordered to address you. Alas.

When visiting Montréal deli shops, Main Deli is among the originals. It is often compared to Schwartz as it's directly across the street! A difference is there's no wait time here while lineups are outside Schwartz due to its popularity, and perhaps Main's larger interior. For smoked meat, beef briskets are soaked in a salt brine cure, then smoked & steamed for that smokiness in the tender meat. Our meat sandwich ($12.75) with mustard & rye bread was a little more lean compared to Schwartz's yet still juicy, with a strong seasoning flavour from the Montréal spice rub. My wife was a fan, so we ordered 1 lb ($22.95) for our return. Opened since 1974, Main Deli's diner decor is dimly lit yet colourful, including its fun tacky ceilings. The deli has a nostalgic vibe with tributes to frequent guest Leonard Cohen, and the same employees as in its documentary (Birth of the Smoked Meat) from years ago!

Came here 10 years ago as a date, today I came here today with kids, we love this place! Schwartz's is for tourist, and this is for local as recommended by our Montreal friend. No point of lining up for 1hr to get a takeout. The lady is as friendly as usual, they have great smoked meat, onion soup, and poutine. They are very generous with cheese for the onion soup, omg.. I feel like I'm heaven! For the smoked meat sandwiches, she gave me a medium fat, the fat melts in my mouth. Oh we also ordered smoked meat to go, they offered vacuum sealed for extra $1. Highly recommend! Will definitely be back, but hopefully don't need to wait for another 10 years lol

Got their Smoked meat sandwich combo which was an overall nice lunch because you had the accompanying fries, pickle, & coleslaw! However, compared to the other well-known smoked meat sandwich shop, we found the Main Deli's bread not as fresh and meat (although was plentiful & yummy) was just a tad less flavourful. Otherwise, I did like the coleslaw better and their fries were really good. I also enjoyed their outside patio dining. Service was alright since they were consistently quite busy.

OMG... This place is totally unassuming. Most people probably pass it by, especially since it is right across the street from a "famous" deli... We wanted an authentic Montreal smoked meat/deli experience and we got one at Main. It's nothing to look at inside or out. It's kind of "divey" but if you can look beyond the aesthetics you'll get the best Jewish food I have ever experienced besides getting from the source (Bubby or my Jewish friends). Also, this was Leonard Cohen's favourite smoked meat joint. Need I say more? No. This alone should sell the place to you...

Great food and service. The smoked meat sandwich is generous and the pastrami lean and tasty. The coleslaw is fabulous. Order a solo side. You will want a big plate! The pecan pie was excellent. A bit of cinnamon made it unique. Our server was a delight. Skip Schwartz's. Come where Leonard Cohen ate.

Very tasty smoked meat. Although it lacks the ambiance of the competition across the street, the smoked meat is almost as good. Plus, you don't have to wait in line. Get the special, which comes with fries, pickles and coleslaw. The coleslaw was a big surprise: incredibly fresh and tasty, I wanted a bigger portion.

The smoked meat was phenomenal, the onion soup delicious, the beer crisp, and the service very friendly. The smoked meat sandwich was delicious. The smoked meat was so flavourful, juicy, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. We were not hungry when we got in there, but we ended up ordering another sandwich after finishing the first. So good. No line and you get to sit down. Highly recommend!

The line was way too long at Schwartz's, and we didn't want to wait. We ordered smoked meat sandwiches, cole slaw, and pickles. Everything was delicious! The smoked meat was so tender, flavorful, and juicy. The food itself was definitely worth five stars, but the customer service was really lacking. Honestly, even if Schwartz's is better, I would pick not having to wait for the same meal I can get across the street any day.

I had the Mainburger with a salad. I have attached the photo. It was amazing: juicy, medium rare topped with smoke meat, cheese, pickles and tomatoes. I have had burgers across North America, and this is within top 3, maybe #2. This place is an institution. Our server was very kind as well.

I like them better than Schwartz. Main Deli Steak House does not get the recognition and hype of the competition across the street. Do not let that stop you from dining here. In my opinion, the Smoked Meat is more delicious here. Admittedly, they were my backup choice. Since it was my parents and my sister and her family's first time trying Montreal's Smoked Meat, I wanted them to try the world famous Schwartz's Deli. Fortunately, their line was so long, and we did not have an extra hour to wait. So, I brought them to Main Deli Steak House across the street. There was no wait and plenty of available seating. Service was attentive without being intrusive. Ambiance was comfortable. Our order came out in good time. All the food we tried was scrumptious. My favorites were the Smoked Meat Poutine and the Smoked Meat sandwich. Their smoked meat is very flavorful. Makes everything taste better. Maybe one day, I will take them back to Schwartz's just so they can say they've tried it. In my opinion, though, Main Deli Steak House is the superior choice in beautiful Montreal!!!! Don't take my word....check them out yourself.

Gimme 'dat smoked meat! It was around 9pm and we just got off a flight and needed sustenance and this spot is open to the wee hours of the morning. I walked from our air bnb and made conversation with the guy at the counter. He suggested if wanted something not too heavy, go with the combo, and that is what we did. A smoked meat sandwich and a small order of poutine. 'Twas perfect for two not looking for a full, heavy meal at 10pm. The meat was so juicy and succulent on fresh rye bread, and the small poutine was perfection. And this was take out mind you and ready in 5 minutes! Not the cheapest meal; all in, with 2 Quebecois cherry cokes about $25, but we were full and so satisfied. Overall, they say Schwartz's is king, but they say there always a line and it's pricey. I gotta say this was A+ in my books, no line, opened late, and great service!

Hands down the best smoked meat sandwich I've ever had. It was also less crowded here, not loud and the service was excellent. Wish I could get this all the time! It was very hearty. Not dry at all. The bread was soft and a great addition.

Arrived here at 11:15am to order turkey sandwich. The wait time is definitely faster than Schwartz. The size of the sandwich is also slightly bigger. The taste of the turkey is also very delicious, however it's not serving hot. It's more like room temperature- warm. Love the mustard. Overall the turkey sandwich taste good. I would recommend to try their other signature dish. It's hard to compare to Schwartz when they're just too close together

I'm a tourist, so I don't have any room to comment on "best smoked meat in Montreal." But as a meat enthusiast, Main Deli was absolutely incredible. My friends and I showed up to Schwartz's on a hot summer's day only to find a line down the block. I found Main Deli on a local blog ranking smoked meat, and since it was right across the street, we bailed from the line and headed over. We made the right choice. The atmosphere was awesome, clearly a hole-in-the wall spot that caters mostly to locals but is also happy to have tourists join them. The waitstaff was patient while we all assembled ourselves and settled in, and then explained the menu and all of the "upgrade" options for sides. We all got Ruben platters, and then upgraded some of our sides to poutine and onion rings. Let's start with the meat. Oh, the meat. It's tender and juicy without being greasy or fatty, and literally melts in your mouth as you bite into it. Of course the portions are huge, but you won't want to stop eating it. I'm glad I got a Ruben because there was just enough cheese and sauerkraut to balance out the bread and meat. The sides were all great. The poutine had a well-flavored pizza coating every single fry, and plenty of curds to munch on. The onion rings were a surprising stand-out -- if you don't want to go all the way with poutine but still want to mix it up, you can't go better then these. And the coleslaw was a sleeper hit! It was more like a yummy cabbage salad with lots of vinegar, and was a welcome bite of freshness to break up the meat. All in, I paid $33 CAD for more delicious food than anyone could eat in a day and a Diet Coke, and enjoyed every bite that I could get in. I have no idea what Schwartz's is really like, but the food and vibe here seem a lot better than standing in line.

+.5 for service Yeah I've done the whole Schwartz's thing and do believe their smoked meat is good. Therefore why better than to try out Schwartz's arch rival across the street, Main Deli? Main Deli IMO has a more diverse menu, focusing on more than just smoked meat. I personally like it that way, though I can understand others who think it lacks having true specialties. While I definitely had their smoked meat sandwich, I also tried other items such as their french onion soup and hot dog. Their smoked meat sandwich was certainly very good, pretty much the same level as Schwartz's and Smoke Meat Pete. However, I actually thought their highlight was the french onion soup. It is the most delicious french onion soup I've ever had, and I've had a lot in my life. The cheese is very thick and flavourful, and the soup itself is delicious in itself. Good amount of croutons inside as well. Service is very good, and the environment is definitely more laid back compared to the rushed service you get at Schwartz's. Honestly I would recommend everyone to visit Schwartz's just once, but you get an equally good deal here without the wait in line.

Totally stumbled upon this place when we parked out front next to the darling deck with red umbrellas and outdoor seating when hubs was stopping across the way (at the competiton). I happen to glance at the menu in the window and noticed a vegetable poutine! It was early morning and definitely not the right time be eating such a thing, but I just HAD to try it! It was the only vegetarian poutine I had seen in all of Montreal! I thought this was too good to be true...I entered the retro looking diner-esque place and asked the hostess if the gravy was vegetarian. It indeed was. I was sold.... About $12 Canadian later and the huge portion of deliciousness was in my hands. Peppers, onions and mushrooms with very tasty gravy and cheese. I totally forgot to say no to that. I actually completely missed it in the listed ingredients as I was just too excited to try poutine! Vegans, it's totally avoidable as it's larger chunks which can just be taken off, but just ask for it without. I was thrilled with this very hearty, flavorful comfort food treat! Highly recommend for any fellow veg head out there! It was absolutely delicious!! They are really known for the corned beef sammys, smoked meats of all kinds and other classic Jewish delicatessen foods such and matzah ball soup, latkes etc. I hear it's actually a great, less crowded alternative to the hotspot across the way. Perhaps hubs will this place a try next time instead!! I know I'll be back! The newspaper articles and decor shows that they are very well established in the business. Give it a go if you haven't already! The outdoor seats were so perfect on a beautiful autumn morn!

Best grilled liver ever! Great portions with a fraction of the wait from their neighbor across the street. My local mural tour guide recommended this as one of his favorites as a native of Montréal. I had a combo veal and smoked meat sandwich, heavenly. Tender, flavorful, and plentiful. I put it in the same realm as Katz's and Manny's of the world. Everything also comes with fries! We had so much food!

The Main makes a solid smoked meat sandwich which is a good alternative to Schwartz's when the line there is long. They also have a much more extensive menu than Schwartz's with a variety of steaks, sandwiches, soups and poutines. I particularly enjoyed the matzoh ball soup. One star deducted because on our second visit, we arrived right at opening and they were not yet prepared To serve smoked meat because it was cold. Otherwise we had a very good lunch there.

This place was recommended to us by David, our Uber driver yesterday, and it didn't disappoint. Quiet, deli-style sandwiches among other delicious-looking dishes. The smoked meat sandwich was huge and piled high with smoked meat and a swipe of mustard (the pics are of the 'regular' size...would be shocked to see the 'jumbo' they also offer). The flavor was perfect! The sandwich itself was an entire meal (only thing missing was a pickle spear). Definitely delish and would come again if we were staying in town longer

It is my first time to try Montreal smoked meat sandwich and both me and my friend knew we chose the right place. This place was recommended by my local friends over Schwartz. They did not skimp on the meat. The meat itself was tender and taste really smokey. They have a choice of medium fat which is more meatier than fat but still very good (I just prefer more fats but its just me). The coleslaw is perfect: not too sour and very far from what you get on KFC (in a good way); its the perfect compliment for the sometimes overpowering smoke flavour. The fries with gravy is like poutine minus the cheese curds. Overall this shop sets a very high bar for all the other shops I would like to try. Good value for money too. It will be interesting to see if Schwartz is all worth the hype.

The lineup might be across the street but I'll say it. I'm putting my foot down! THIS IS THE BEST SMOKED MEAT. This place feels like a time warp when you walk in. It is exactly how I remember it always was. We would stop in at the Main for smoked meat and pickles after a night out. I've been wasting my time going to other smoked meat places trying to satisfy the craving because I hate having to find parking on st Laurent. This is well worth the trip and I will be back again because now this is all I want to eat forever. I always get the medium fat, my husband gets the fatty and he loves it! Even the coleslaw tasted better than other places... I can't put my finger on what is different but it made me so happy! They've got steaks, salads and take orders to go. Apparently they cook on charcoal so ordering a grilled fish or meat would be really good and I'll definitely be back to try a steak! I'm so mad at myself for not going back sooner. I forgot how amazing this place is and it should be on everyone's list.

I honestly think this place is better than Schwartz's and Lester's. You avoid all the lines for better smoked meat sandwiches and delicious poutine! It's funny to see people getting off the bus, running over to Schwartz's to lineup as we casually walk across the street to Main Deli. Its a small place but has lots of seating. The restaurant seems a little dated but I think that's what they're going for. You can order take-out for this place too! We got the regular Smoked Meat Sandwich and a Classic Poutine. The sandwich was perfect, everything like I remembered and better than when I had it 2 years ago. It was cooked perfectly with the right amount of flavour and softness. The poutine was also yummy with freshly made crispy fries, cheese curds, and a tasty light/less salty gravy. I absolutely loved this place and I would recommend this over any other smoked meat places in Mtl!

3.5 stars Went to Main Deli Steak House with the expectation that it would be better than Schwartz - all the reviewers say so. Delicious smoked meat without an hour of standing in the frigid street and maybe our own table seems like a dream. Started with the Matzo ball soup which was lightly seasoned, rich in flavour and just the thing for a cold winter evening. The sandwiches were good - stacked symmetrically with a generous amount of smoked meat. However, it lacked the balance between lean and fatty, so the sandwich turned out to be slightly dry and salty. Still, it was yummy. Overall, great service, old-timey atmosphere and none of that hour long wait nonsense. But, I would look elsewhere for the perfect smoked meat sandwich.

Montreal smoked meat without have to wait an hour to eat! We started with the matzo ball soup! It was delicious and warmed us up! The smoked meat sandwich here is huge and super juicy, peppery, and awesome. Grab a cherry cola and it's pretty comparable any Schwartzs experience. Except you get to eat in comfort! :)

Worst smoked in the world. Steak was horrible. French fries were ok. Cole slaw was ok. Place was dingy and an welcoming Server was efficient.

Not my favourite place for a Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich. I've tried now 3 different places for the Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwiches. I went with my family who was in Montreal one person who lives here raved and suggested we try it. Even though I am a fan fave of Rueben's. We were seated in the diner which wasn't the greatest for me. As well there is a $3 min for each person to eat. Even if you wanted to share a monster of a sandwich. We decided to eat out since the day was nice. Our sandwiches sat at the service window for 10 minutes. I also tried to go at 4 am and get a sandwich but they were closed when they were supposed to be open until 5 am. Overall I was not impressed with the texture of the Smoked Meat. Save your money and go to Rueben's. It's much cleaner and friendlier then this place.

If you're ordering smoked meat here, you're doing it wrong. Sorry, but please GET THE "MAIN SPECIAL" instead.

Sebastian, our guide from a fabulous food tour told about Main across the street from Schwartz's which is as good without the way. Schwartz's wait was over 30 minutes or longer. Main is the nickname for St Laurent Blvd. The smoked beef is definitely different and worth trying.

Main is great - they're open super late, and the line is about 100x less annoying than some nearby establishments. Highly recommend!

If I could give zero starts I would. I never make reviews but I absolutely felt the need to tell the public how unappealing and unappetizing this food is. I got the chicken and ribs and it was burnt and gross. Save your money. The picture is my friend's burger after he asked for bbq.

If the line is too long at Schwartz, you need a beer with your drink or you have people in your party who want something other than smoked meat then go across the street to Main Deli for an equally delicious meal. In my opinion the smoked meat is almost just as good, but their menu is so much more expansive and they serve alcohol. In addition to the meat I love the potato pancakes which are pretty large and can come with sour cream or apple sauce. The liver appetizer is good and comes with a huge portion. Two people I went with last time got the turkey club sandwich and loved it. I've only ever been here kind of late but it's never been too busy and the service is friendly. If I lived closer I would probably come here more often. It's a great deli experience !

Came here since Schwartz was too packed and didnt regret it. The smoked meat sandwich was amazing. Meat was very tender and juicy and had lots of flavour. The fries were also great, and tasted very fresh; they would be perfect if I made it a poutine. The portions are very generous when you order it as a combo. A lot of people say the place is dirty but it didnt seem so, just came off to me as a typical diner restaurant and still cleaner than other fast food style diners in the area.

While the line of people stretches on a Schwartz's Deli just across the street, you can get a very good smoked meat sandwich at Main Deli. The sandwich was packed with moist, tender, flavorful meat. We stopped in, without a wait, and enjoyed our lunch.

I might rate 5 stars, except this place is pretty dirty. But, hey, the smoked meat is really good. Usually juicier than more tender than Schwartz's across the street. You can choose lean/medium/fatty cuts. I always opt for medium or fatty. I've tried the pickled ox tongue sandwich as well, which is not bad, but i think smoked meat is the way to go. Super casual place and the waitresses are always friendly. There hasn't been a line up the many times I've been.

I'll be honest. We waited in line for Schwartz's first. Felt obliged. The longer we waited in, the more we realized that we should just try the smoked meat and then head over to the Main across the street for a bigger meal. So glad we did. Not to knock Schartz's. But I think in the mass quantities they must deliver, their quality suffers. As for Main? Wow. Amazing meal! Started with the borscht, which was delicious. Then had their Reuben with fries, slaw and pickle. Hands down, one of the BEST, JUICIEST reubens I have EVER had. Seriously. Mazal tov, Main! I LOVE your food! Update: On second thought, Main's Reuben is the BEST Reuben sandwich I've ever had!

My friends and I shared the Smoked Meat combo and Deluxe- with Roast Beef combo and they were both super mouth watering and a burst of flavor in your mouth. I would eat these guys over and over again if it wasn't at the end of our Canada trip.

Honestly I don't see what the big fuss is with smoked meat. I came here on a hot and humid evening because the line at Schwartz was way too long and we were starving. Anyways, I have the say that I did enjoy the cherry cola and the portions were huge, but the service wasn't too great. Perhaps it's just that I'm not a huge fan of smoked meat but I found that this place wasn't as cramped as Schwartz (I went the week after) and there was no long wait. Also, it was really nice that we weren't jammed packed into a small table unlike at Schwartz. (The 7 of us were packed into a table meant for 4 there!) I liked the coleslaw and the gravy but I found the fries almost too crispy.

8/10 Like all tourists, we had planned on eating at Schwartz. Like most bachelor parties, we were too hung over to get it together (and wait in line) so we ended up with an impromptu meal at Main Deli. It was a stroke of good fortune! I had the burger with smoked deli meat which was juicy and intense with flavor. It was a great burger on its own and was amazing with the extra meat. I asked for the fries as poutine (love me some poutine) and they brought me a side of gravy. They would get 5 stars if they had the cheese... (my heart would give out if I lived in Montreal) We ate outside which is very pleasant when the weather is good. It's a busy street and a great spot to people watch. I'd definitely stop by if in the area and looking for lunch.

I can only be fooled once... Last time when I was in Montreal, I followed all the advice of my friends to go Schwartz and of course I left unimpressed.... I didn't wait 1 hour in line, and no way I am going to do that nor going to eat at Schwartz again... Main Deli feels empty with no lines at 2 pm on a weekday afternoon... and here no tourists either. Of course I am here for the Smoked Meat! Super Special $11.45 (Sandwich, fries and drink), of course is a deal I wouldn't miss. One bite.. and I know it is the one. Juicy, Moist and Delicious! A great mix of fat and lean......... Roasted Beef Sandwich ($6.15) though was dry and bland. I don't think I would order that again! Main Deli also closes late! I can have a smoked meat sandwich as midnight snack?! SWEET! Next time when I am in town, I am going to wait for my friends here drinking a beer eating a smoked meat poutine while they wait for their turn to get into Schwartz's... Tourists!

I'm going to counter this one star review with the fact that we came here twice in 2017 and had a good experience, the fact that this is still one star should give you a decent indication of just how bad this experience was, however if you're interested in the details, please read on... To start with we were met with indifference, it wasn't particularly late, and it's Montreals busiest weekend of the year, so every business is embracing that, apart from this place. We were giving about a minute between having menus thrown at us and being asked 'yes?' Which we assumed by the look and tone of the 'waitress' was her way of asking us what we would like. We ordered some latka to start, more as attempt to give us time to actually read the menu more than anything else. The 'latka' arrived, way too quickly, clearly reconstituted from the day, imagine a hockey puck thrice fried in old margarine, then deep fry it in week old oil and you'd be about there. For our main course we ordered the poutine with ground beef, and the 'q' burger. The 'poutine' was some sad old fries that clearly couldn't wait to die, covered in a brown runny liquid that nobody in their right minds would ever call gravy, ever. It was topped off with 'ground beef', which was clearly an old chopped up burger which had a suspiciously similar texture and taste to the hockey puck latka. And then come the 'q' burger. This burger was the equivalent of your tinder date date sending you pictures of Marylyn Monroe and turning out to be Marylyn Manson, which would be awesome if that was what you were expecting, but not when you're preference leans towards the Monroe end of the Marylyn spectrum. It was totally devoid of any of their 'famous' bbq sauce, it was drier than the Sahara during a drought, and the 'bun' on which it was served had the consistency of bread that has been at sea for a week and washed up on a beach. As if the 'cuisine' wasn't bad enough, the 'waitress' decided to call my wife all kinds of names in French assuming that we wouldn't understand, and describe anyone going to, or coming from a formula 1 race as morons. We are not fluent, but we know enough. Just to add insult to injury, rather then removing the burger that was nothing like the thing they advertised from the bill, she added herself a tip without asking. So in summary, if you like really shit food, dreadful service served up by someone who should have been put out to pasture a decade ago, and enjoy being insulted behind your back too. Then you've found your spot. Make the most of soon though, this establishment has no place in what is a vibrant and wonderful city, and I for one will be happy to see it go.

Every once in a while, you go to a restaurant that transports you. This is one of those places. Grab a booth and order two things. First a beer- because you're thirsty and Montreal has awesome beers on tap everywhere. Then you will, and you must, order the deceptively simple smoked meat sandwich. It's a thing of beauty my friends. Expertly carved and miraculously seasoned with a witches brew of clove and all things nice. The yellow mustard cuts the richness and the soft rye bread is like a warm jewish handshake. Quite simply- it's the greatest meat put between two slices I've ever had. I told the dude cutting the meat that it was the tastiest sandwich I've ever had, to which he replied by slipping me a plate of more delicious meat for 'the rest of your beer.' You must go here.

In short, I like it. Tried Dunn's and Schartwz. This is the mid of the pack. Scharwtz came just a bit on top because they allow you to choose the cut off the meat. The streetside patio is more interesting then Dunn's just because it is along st Laurent. The surprising jewel is their coleslaw! Worth a try, especially when scharwtz doesn't have room. It is more family friendly.

If you like red meat, this is the place for you. They have sandwiches, burgers, poutines, bbq ribs. It's better than Schwartz and It has no huge wait lines. The waitress was friendly and we had good service. I had the Main Burger (has smoked meat and 1 burger patty), and my friend had the Main Q burger (1 burger patty, bacon and a fried ...something), very very good!

I'm a smoked meat addict, I love the stuff. While Main doesn't smoke their stuff in-house anymore, they still serve top notch quality stuff that still tastes the same. Every smoke meat joint have their own blend of spice. The Main tend to edge on the peppery side of things. I always order my sandwich on the fatter side of things, and it is always delicious sandwich at Mains. The service is always really nice, and they have beer. They are also open 24h and it is an amazing place for a late night meal or snack after clubbing. The old Eastern European classics are also amazing. I love the Verenekes and the Laktas, which a crispy carb bombs. Note: I don't understand why people go to smoked meat and order it lean. Try it fat or medium people.

Best hot dog I've had. Great Jewish deli. Got a pastrami sandwich and a jumbo hot dog for a side. Toasted sesame bun and the quality of meat was just tremendous.

Great restaurant that calls themselves the locals favourite for smoked meat (as opposed to Schwartz being the tourist favourite). Food was good, the smoked meat poutine was really good! The server was rude though, telling my fiancé to order something else because the hot chicken will take a while to make (it didn't). Also didn't seem to want to let my friend order a coffee. Otherwise good local experience.

The Main has been my favourite place for smoked meat, since I lived in Montreal. Their smoked meat is super juicy (medium fat) and has so much flavor you won't be able to resist walking by this place without ordering a sandwich or the famous smoked meat poutine! I usually went to the Main after a long night of drinking and the food always tasted amazing day or night. My suggestion is either a full platter (upgrade those fries to a poutine) if you're super hungry, along with a cherry coke. Or if you want to keep it simple and to the point a smoke meat poutine always hits the spot. There is something to be said about the gravy they use. It is almost as if it is an Elixir from the gods sent down to earth for us to enjoy! This place is awesome and with no line up and much better tasting smoked meat and poutine, I would choose this place over the crowded Schwartz any day!

We walked over to Schwartz's, saw the line, and came here instead. DELICIOUS. The smoked meat sandwich is delicious, salty, and satisfying. Plus you can eat outside! So walk over to Schwartz's, see the line, and then go here instead. Apparently this is where the locals go.