Schwartz's (French: Chez Schwartz), also known as the Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen (French: Charcuterie Hébraïque de Montréal, Inc.), is a Jewish delicatessen restaurant and take-out, located at 3895 Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Montreal, Quebec. It was established on December 31, 1928, by Reuben Schwartz, a Jewish immigrant from Romania.[1][2] Its long popularity and reputation has led to it being considered a cultural institution of Montreal.
The staff of Schwartz's credits the unique flavour of their smoked meat to their mandatory 10-day meat curing time, the high turnover of their meat, and their brick smoke-house covered with over 90 years' worth of buildup.[3]
Schwartz's signature dish is a smoked meat sandwich served on rye bread with yellow mustard. The meat is served by the fat content: lean, medium, medium-fat or fat. Medium and medium-fat are the most popular.[3][4] According to journalist Bill Brownstein, the classic Schwartz's meal includes a medium-fat sandwich, fries, half-sour pickle, coleslaw, red pepper, and a black cherry soda.[3]
Bens, a Montreal competitor, had a longstanding and widely believed advertising slogan that claimed the restaurant had invented smoked meat, but this has been debunked by cultural historians.[5]
Schwartz's is also credited with creating Montreal steak seasoning or Montreal steak spice when Morris "The Shadow" Sherman, a broilerman working at Schwartz's in the 1940s and '50s, began adding the deli-smoked meat pickling spices to his own rib and liver steaks. It was so popular that it was copied by other Montreal delis and steakhouses.[3]
History
People lined up out the door
The deli has passed through several owners since its foundation:
Reuben Schwartz (1928–1971): Founded the "Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen" in 1928. Reuben Schwartz was described by many as a bad businessman and a supposedly nasty character (boozer, gambler, womanizer) whose family could not stand him.[3][4][6]
Maurice Zbriger (1971–1981): A violinist and composer, Zbriger was eventually made a partner, and eventually, sole owner of Schwartz's, until his death in 1981. He took Reuben Schwartz into his home and created him 'manager for life.'[6] Zbriger made Schwartz's a great success, and with the profits from the business, Zbriger spent many thousands of dollars organizing free concerts of his music. His story was documented in the National Film Board of Canada production The Concert Man.[7][8]
Armande Toupin Chartrand (1981–1999): She began as a professional organizer and caretaker to Maurice Zbriger and through her service to him she was willed the delicatessen.[3][8]
Hy Diamond (1999–2012): The only owner who has had a business background; for many years he was its accountant.[3][8][6]
The Nakis and Angélil-Dion family (2012–present): The current owners of Schwartz's. A partnership consisting of Paul Nakis (involved in the Baton Rouge Restaurant chain among others); his granddaughter Anastasia; the late René Angélil with his then-wife Celine Dion; and Eric and Martin Sara (sons of Paul Sara, former owner, along with Angélil, of Nickels restaurant chain).[9] Prior to the purchase, Dion and Angélil used to favor the Main Deli Steak House over Schwartz's.[10]
Several restaurateurs have offered to build Schwartz's as franchise operations in cities across North America, to which the owners have always refused. The idea of franchising Schwartz's just in Montreal has also been rejected due to customer opposition.[3]
In the fall of 2008, Schwartz's opened a take-out location next door.[13]
On 5 March 2012, the Nakis and Angelil-Dion families purchased Schwartz's, reportedly for $10 million. The new owners could franchise Schwartz's; however, they stated they have no intention of doing so.
On 28 February 2013, Schwartz's began using their trademark name on vacuum sealed pouches of smoked meat sold at IGA supermarkets in Quebec.[14] This mass-produced (factory made) smoked meat product has since become available in other supermarkets across Canada.
In media
In 2006, Montreal Gazette columnist Bill Brownstein wrote the book Schwartz's Hebrew Delicatessen: The Story, published by Véhicule Press.[15] Schwartz's has also been the subject of numerous articles in Canadian and international publications. It has also been the inspiration for a theatre production about the deli: Schwartz's: The Musical.[16] The restaurant has been the subject of two documentary films: The Concert Man by Tony Ianzelo[17] and Chez Schwartz by Garry Beitel.[18]
^ abSax, David (1 October 2010), Save the Deli: In Search of Perfect Pastrami, Crusty Rye, and the Heart of Jewish Delicatessen, Mariner Books, ISBN978-0-547-38644-7
^Note: "Old Man Kravitz, a shameless self-promoter ... Throughout the years Ben claimed that he introduced the smoked meat sandwich to Montreal. But it is a well-known fact that the British-American Delicatessen Store had been dispensing quality smoked meat sandwiches for a period of four years prior to the establishment of Fanny's Fruit and Candy Store. Old Man Kravitz also implied that he introduced smoked meat to Montreal, but we know that is a pile of baloney". Eiran Harris, Montreal-Style Smoked Meat: An interview with Eiran Harris conducted by Lara Rabinovitch, with the cooperation of the Jewish Public Library Archives of Montreal, Cuizine: The Journal of Canadian Food Cultures: Volume 1, numéro 2, 2009.
^ abcJoe O'Connor (7 May 2012). "Schwartz's for sale: Iconic Montreal deli could be sold to group that includes Celine Dion and husband Rene Angelil". National Post. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
^"Schwartz's famed deli serves up takeout counter". CBC News. 6 November 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
^"Schwartz's smoked meat now sold in supermarkets". CTV Montreal News. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
^"Search Results: Schwartz's Hebrew Delicatessen: The Story". Véhicule Press. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
^Latimer, Joanne (4 November 2010), "Phantom of the Deli? Smoke-lahoma?:A newspaper column about Schwartz's deli in Montreal has inspired a musical", Maclean's
^"The Concern Man". Documentary film. National Film Board of Canada. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
^"CHEZ SCHWARTZ - HOME". www.chezschwartzfilm.com. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
^"Here's Every Restaurant in the Montreal Episode of Somebody Feed Phil".
Further reading
Dixon, Guy (21 October 2006). "Poetry Chez Schwartz's". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Schwartz's (restaurant).
Official website
January 04, 2023
schwartz, french, chez, schwartz, also, known, montreal, hebrew, delicatessen, french, charcuterie, hébraïque, montréal, jewish, delicatessen, restaurant, take, located, 3895, saint, laurent, boulevard, montreal, quebec, established, december, 1928, reuben, sc. Schwartz s French Chez Schwartz also known as the Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen French Charcuterie Hebraique de Montreal Inc is a Jewish delicatessen restaurant and take out located at 3895 Saint Laurent Boulevard in Montreal Quebec It was established on December 31 1928 by Reuben Schwartz a Jewish immigrant from Romania 1 2 Its long popularity and reputation has led to it being considered a cultural institution of Montreal Schwartz sSchwartz s storefrontLocation within MontrealRestaurant informationEstablishedDecember 31 1928Food typeKosher style Jewish delicatessenDress codeCasualStreet address3895 Saint Laurent BoulevardCityMontreal QuebecPostal ZIP CodeH2W 1X9CountryCanadaCoordinates45 30 58 5 N 73 34 39 73 W 45 516250 N 73 5777028 W 45 516250 73 5777028 Coordinates 45 30 58 5 N 73 34 39 73 W 45 516250 N 73 5777028 W 45 516250 73 5777028Other informationCAD 9 2 million 2014 revenue Websiteschwartzsdeli comThe staff of Schwartz s credits the unique flavour of their smoked meat to their mandatory 10 day meat curing time the high turnover of their meat and their brick smoke house covered with over 90 years worth of buildup 3 Contents 1 Offerings 1 1 Smoked meat 1 2 Montreal steak seasoning 2 History 3 Potential expansion 4 In media 5 See also 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External linksOfferings Edit Schwartz s smoked meat Smoked meat Edit Main article Montreal style smoked meat Schwartz s signature dish is a smoked meat sandwich served on rye bread with yellow mustard The meat is served by the fat content lean medium medium fat or fat Medium and medium fat are the most popular 3 4 According to journalist Bill Brownstein the classic Schwartz s meal includes a medium fat sandwich fries half sour pickle coleslaw red pepper and a black cherry soda 3 Bens a Montreal competitor had a longstanding and widely believed advertising slogan that claimed the restaurant had invented smoked meat but this has been debunked by cultural historians 5 Montreal steak seasoning Edit Main article Montreal steak seasoning Schwartz s is also credited with creating Montreal steak seasoning or Montreal steak spice when Morris The Shadow Sherman a broilerman working at Schwartz s in the 1940s and 50s began adding the deli smoked meat pickling spices to his own rib and liver steaks It was so popular that it was copied by other Montreal delis and steakhouses 3 History Edit People lined up out the door The deli has passed through several owners since its foundation Reuben Schwartz 1928 1971 Founded the Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen in 1928 Reuben Schwartz was described by many as a bad businessman and a supposedly nasty character boozer gambler womanizer whose family could not stand him 3 4 6 Maurice Zbriger 1971 1981 A violinist and composer Zbriger was eventually made a partner and eventually sole owner of Schwartz s until his death in 1981 He took Reuben Schwartz into his home and created him manager for life 6 Zbriger made Schwartz s a great success and with the profits from the business Zbriger spent many thousands of dollars organizing free concerts of his music His story was documented in the National Film Board of Canada production The Concert Man 7 8 Armande Toupin Chartrand 1981 1999 She began as a professional organizer and caretaker to Maurice Zbriger and through her service to him she was willed the delicatessen 3 8 Hy Diamond 1999 2012 The only owner who has had a business background for many years he was its accountant 3 8 6 The Nakis and Angelil Dion family 2012 present The current owners of Schwartz s A partnership consisting of Paul Nakis involved in the Baton Rouge Restaurant chain among others his granddaughter Anastasia the late Rene Angelil with his then wife Celine Dion and Eric and Martin Sara sons of Paul Sara former owner along with Angelil of Nickels restaurant chain 9 Prior to the purchase Dion and Angelil used to favor the Main Deli Steak House over Schwartz s 10 Schwartz s is one of the six original Montreal delicatessen restaurants the other five being Bens De Luxe Delicatessen amp Restaurant closed in 2006 Main Deli Steak House Lester s Deli Dunn s Famous Deli and the Snowdon Deli 11 When the Charter of the French Language became law in 1977 the sign outside changed from Hebrew delicatessen to charcuterie Hebraique 12 Potential expansion Edit Interior view Several restaurateurs have offered to build Schwartz s as franchise operations in cities across North America to which the owners have always refused The idea of franchising Schwartz s just in Montreal has also been rejected due to customer opposition 3 In the fall of 2008 Schwartz s opened a take out location next door 13 On 5 March 2012 the Nakis and Angelil Dion families purchased Schwartz s reportedly for 10 million The new owners could franchise Schwartz s however they stated they have no intention of doing so On 28 February 2013 Schwartz s began using their trademark name on vacuum sealed pouches of smoked meat sold at IGA supermarkets in Quebec 14 This mass produced factory made smoked meat product has since become available in other supermarkets across Canada In media EditIn 2006 Montreal Gazette columnist Bill Brownstein wrote the book Schwartz s Hebrew Delicatessen The Story published by Vehicule Press 15 Schwartz s has also been the subject of numerous articles in Canadian and international publications It has also been the inspiration for a theatre production about the deli Schwartz s The Musical 16 The restaurant has been the subject of two documentary films The Concert Man by Tony Ianzelo 17 and Chez Schwartzby Garry Beitel 18 In 2020 Schwartz s is featured in an episode of the Netflix show Somebody Feed Phil 19 See also Edit Food portalBens De Luxe Delicatessen amp Restaurant Fairmount Bagel Historic Jewish Quarter Montreal List of delicatessens Main Deli Steak HouseReferences Edit Jamie O Meara 29 June 2006 Babylon P Q The meat of the matter Hour Community Retrieved 28 May 2011 Menschlich Montreal North American Travel Journalists Association 28 June 2005 Archived from the original on 13 August 2011 Retrieved 28 May 2011 a b c d e f g h Browstein Bill 2006 Schwartz s Hebrew Delicatessen The Story Vehicule Press ISBN 978 1 55065 212 3 a b Sax David 1 October 2010 Save the Deli In Search of Perfect Pastrami Crusty Rye and the Heart of Jewish Delicatessen Mariner Books ISBN 978 0 547 38644 7 Note Old Man Kravitz a shameless self promoter Throughout the years Ben claimed that he introduced the smoked meat sandwich to Montreal But it is a well known fact that the British American Delicatessen Store had been dispensing quality smoked meat sandwiches for a period of four years prior to the establishment of Fanny s Fruit and Candy Store Old Man Kravitz also implied that he introduced smoked meat to Montreal but we know that is a pile of baloney Eiran Harris Montreal Style Smoked Meat An interview with Eiran Harris conducted by Lara Rabinovitch with the cooperation of the Jewish Public Library Archives of Montreal Cuizine The Journal of Canadian Food Cultures Volume 1 numero 2 2009 a b c Joe O Connor 7 May 2012 Schwartz s for sale Iconic Montreal deli could be sold to group that includes Celine Dion and husband Rene Angelil National Post Retrieved 19 January 2013 Ianzelo Tony The Concert Man Documentary film National Film Board of Canada Retrieved 22 August 2010 a b c Nestruck J Kelly 28 September 2006 May the Schwartz be with you National Post Archived from the original on 6 December 2007 Retrieved 9 August 2007 It s official Schwartz s Deli sold to Montreal business families CNW Group 5 March 2012 Retrieved 5 February 2014 WYATT NELSON 11 March 2012 Celine Dion Montreal s Schwartz s will go on The Chronicle Herald Museum of Jewish Montreal imjm ca Retrieved 29 December 2020 Kurlansky Mark 2003 Salt A World History Penguin Books p 404 ISBN 0 14 200161 9 Schwartz s famed deli serves up takeout counter CBC News 6 November 2008 Retrieved 28 May 2010 Schwartz s smoked meat now sold in supermarkets CTV Montreal News 28 February 2013 Retrieved 28 February 2013 Search Results Schwartz s Hebrew Delicatessen The Story Vehicule Press Retrieved 28 May 2010 Latimer Joanne 4 November 2010 Phantom of the Deli Smoke lahoma A newspaper column about Schwartz s deli in Montreal has inspired a musical Maclean s The Concern Man Documentary film National Film Board of Canada Retrieved 6 February 2014 CHEZ SCHWARTZ HOME www chezschwartzfilm com Retrieved 29 December 2020 Here s Every Restaurant in the Montreal Episode of Somebody Feed Phil Further reading EditDixon Guy 21 October 2006 Poetry Chez Schwartz s The Globe and Mail Retrieved 5 February 2014 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Schwartz s restaurant Official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Schwartz 27s amp oldid 1081767730, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
