The Horka Blog

I was reading a couple of threads on Flyer-Talk – great site, check it out at:

http://www.flyertalk.com/

and was surprised to see quite a lively dialogue on where to get the best smoked meat and breakfast in Montreal. There were more than a few people who did NOT like Schwartz’s smoked meat nor Beauty’s breakfasts.

This surprised me because I too have found Schwartz’s smoked meat to be relatively bland and Beauty’s omelettes to be beyond bland.

On the smoked meat side I saw mention of Ben’s (when it was still there), the Main, Reuben’s, Dunn’s and others. But the one that really stood out is Smoked Meat Pete’s. We found out about Smoked Meat Pete’s a couple of years ago and it was an absolute revelation – meat that was just packed with flavour, was not dry and was not rubbery!

On the breakfast side we have tried Beauty’s and quickly beat a hasty retreat to Dusty’s on Park. Now THEY make an omelette.

Bland bland bland, plus an attitude. Who needs it? But one of the other things that the folks on flyer-talk did not like about these Montreal “institutions” was quite often the attitude, which I think is supposed to be part of the “experience” at these places, but which quite often comes across as just plain rude.

It also highlights the fact that there are more than a few Monreal locals who feel the same way but feel they can’t suggest alternatives because the popularity of these entrenched institutions is such tha they, the consumer, must be mistaken.

I take it from flyer-talk that the people making comments there are mostly not local consumers and therefore feel no particular bias one way or another, and are more likely to call a spade a spade.

So down with bland smoked meat, down with bland breakfasts, 3 cheers for great smoked meat at Smoked Meat Pete’s and omelettes to die for at Dusty’s.

Smoked Meat Pete’s can be found when you cross the bridge to L’ile Perrot – as you are coming down the bridge there is a Dairy Queen on the left hand side and Pete’s is right behind it. They play blues there, their ribs and latkas and smoked meat are superb, and you can always go across the street to the Dairy Queen for dessert.
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Dusty’s, if I remember correctly is on Park, west side, just north of Mount Royal. And they actually treat you as a valued and welcome customer!

Shocking, isn’t it?

(Speaking of down with bland – ever try the chicken and fries at Romados on Rachel? Wow, not bland!!!, Incredibly good)