Best Greasy Spoon in Montreal

[Jeffsayyes]

Hey All, me and mine are coming up to Montreal for the first time this month. I love greasy spoons - their authentic, cheap, taste great, and I get to hang out with the real people of the neighborhood. What's a good rec for this in Montreal?

[Zalbar]

How come no one's mentioned Decarie Hot Dog? 1 block down from the corner of Decarie and Cote-Vertu right by the Cote-Vertu Metro ?

http://toliveanddiemontreal.blogspot....

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Decarie Hot Dog
953 Boul Decarie, Saint-Laurent, QC H4L3M3, CA

[wattacetti]

Because most tourists don't go to Saint-Laurent. Décarie Hot Dog now has a picnic table outside should you not want to sit on one of the fine, fine stools.

[mtlmaven]

Love that place. It used to be the fries were the size of an adult man's fingers. A nice helping for just a dollar.

[wattacetti]

I wasn't too enamored; we were sitting outside in a humid environment and the FOH didn't have a good handle on clients that night. But it was free and I was with some interesting people.

[InterFoodie]

Chez John is a sweet place with a good breakfast & killer coconut pie.
It reminds me of a small town diner where the locals go to catch up on the gossip.
Every time I go I learn something new about my hood.

Green Spot is fun for its decor but the food is horrible.

New System BBQ never disappoints if I am looking for some greasy spoon food.
They make my fav pizza, a serious pie that so jam packed with ingredients I can never get pass two slices.

Decarie Hot Dog is nasty; I swear they haven’t changed their oil since they opened in the 70s.

I find the best Club Sandwich in Montreal can be found at Ruebens, the one in the basement near McGill College.
Its HUGE, with real chicken slices, not scraps or processed and served with mayo not Miracle Whip.

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Decarie Hot Dog
953 Boul Decarie, Saint-Laurent, QC H4L3M3, CA

Green Spot
3041 Rue Notre-Dame W, Montreal, QC H4C1N9, CA

[Zalbar]

I don't understand why you would put the addresses of the 2 places you said had horrible food.

That being I have to disagree with you on decarie hot dog, their fries are wonderful, and that's not just nostalgia talking.

[catroast]

I was at Decarie hot dog a few days ago and it was god awful. We had to demand new and fresh fries and the guys that work there are so unpleasant that they pretty much cursed us out. It is definitely not what it used to be. It is gross.

I also went to the OJ the other day and had a nathan's hot dog and fry. It cost $9 (insane). The fries were limp and disgusting and the dog was cold and on a horrible bun. another fail.

[Zalbar]

Go to the OJ for the juleps, nothing else. If you want a good hot dog, hit up Costco's.

[catroast]

even the OJs ain't worth the price...they've watered them down.

[Jeffsayyes]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Just came back this week, after 4 days in Montreal. Man, Montreal is a great greasy spoon city! I had no idea! There were so many cool looking diners all over the place.

We went to Paul Patate - Good hot dog, spruce beer tastes like pine sol and smells worse, but tastes pretty good.
Greenspot - Love that place. Better hot dog (steamed, I reallly like the steamed hot dogs with the pillowy bun). Good poutine gravy. Great decor. adn the neighborhood is really interesting
Wilensky's was closed

Went to a place randomly and it was great! Roi D'Ontario. The crepes were fantastic. lifechanging stuff. I believe they were ployes, which I need some help getting jnformation on. Other than that, the food wasn't that good, haha. I hear the poutine is good there, which I believe. Our breakfast came with feves(?) beans, which were pretty much the only thing I did not finish on our plates the entire trip.

Schwartz's was better than Katz's. And how come no one told me about the take-out side??

I'm in the middle of writing my yelp reviews, and will post a writeup on my site in a bit, but you can see my pictures here. Thanks everyone for your help! We want to come back for a sugar shack in the spring, looking forward to Farmieux, italian section, Nouveau Palais, Schwartzs again, and more greasy spoons!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/orlick/s...

Montreal is a fantastic city. I would definitely live here.

There is a travesty of a spot called Greasy Spoon south of Mile End. this place was pretty commercial and it was really stupid that it's called Greasy Spoon. It looks nothing like a greasy spoon and there isn't much on the menu to justify being called a greasy spoon. It's like they never been in one before, yet named it so and created what they Thought was a greasy spoon. really bad.

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Greenspot Restaurant
3041 Rue Notre-Dame W, Montreal, QC H4C1N9, CA

Paul Patate
2606 Rue De Coleraine, Montreal, QC H3K1S7, CA

[wattacetti]

Ah, Greasy Spoon - I had dinner there a couple of weeks back with work colleagues. They got to ogle the two waitresses, and I didn't have to pay for my meal.

[C70]

don't miss Cosmos next time! There's even a documentary about the place and its owner called "Man of Grease"... Also a few vids on youtube.

[foodinspace]

Thanks so much for reporting back! Your pics made my stomach growl and it looks like you did our city justice, exploring some non-touristy places! Come back soon!

[Jeffsayyes]

I rode past old montreal and felt really uncomfortable. So many BS tourist stuff. We also went to the underground city. I don't like malls here, I don't know why I thought I'd like 5 malls in one there. my host warned me for exactly this.
Love the french downtown. We went to some nice restaurants too.
Ate at au pied du cuchon. Food was obviously good, but we didn't like it that much. seemed too formulaic, impersonal, and not much character.
Our last day we went to Comme Chez Soi. Loved being there. the food was very good, the environment was really cool, and you can see the 2 guys cooking for the whole crowd. It's interesting how the people working the kitchens aren't illegal immigrants like most places in New York.

also, on the less greasy spoon end, Maamm Buldoc was super funky and really cool. Great crepes. Burger was good, but I get the impression that you guys cook it too long for my tastes.

[kpzoo]

My friend just told me about a St-Henri greasy spoon I need to try - and you may want to put on your list for next time - called Chez John. Apparently they've been around since 1919 and are renown for their coconut pie. She said the club sandwiches looked good, too.

You absolutely need to try Cosmos when you come back, too. ;-)

[kpzoo]

Oh, she also said they have an all-you-can-eat weekend (or maybe just Sunday?) brunch. Sounded intriguing.

[Jeffsayyes]

ohhhhhhhhhh, definitely.
i can't find much info on chez john, can you get an address? all i can find is a hostel.

[kpzoo]

This is it:

Restaurant John
4350, rue Notre-Dame Ouest
514-932-2246

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Restaurant John
4350 Rue Notre-Dame W, Montreal, QC H4C1R8, CA

[Jeffsayyes]

http://www.slideshare.net/rorlan/grea...
here's a slideshow of greasy spoons on st. henri. what a great city!

[celfie]

wow i happen to think that montreal has some of the worst greasy spoons

most are completely generic. they serve premade processed food. i can think of maybe 4 or 5 places worth going to. club sandwiches are one of my guilty pleasures but most are terrible. The only truly good club sandwich that i've had in Montreal is at Beauty's (does that qualify as a greasy spoon). I'm sure the steame restaurants are a novelty for a new yorker, but most of them fall flat and are absolutely disgusting. Paul Patate and Decarie hot dog are notable exceptions but lets face it, their hot dogs suck and i've been served under cooked fries more often than not. I personally find greenspot terrible.

my picks would be patati, mr steer, maam bolduc, romados and schwartzs only because each of these places offer something unique.

i also like 3 places in the faubourg

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Paul Patate
2606 Rue De Coleraine, Montreal, QC H3K1S7, CA

[notdoneeating]

Restaurant A.A. is my FAVOURITE Montreal greasy spoon. Their cheeseburger and super crispy fries along with the guy on the grill who calmly and quickly feeds throngs of hungry apres-drinking late night customers will fulfill all of your greasy spoon needs!!

[westaust]

I agree with you, Restaurant AA is definitly the best on that strech of road west of atwater, the toasted hotdogs (or is it closed to fried with the oil he puts) are amazing!

[foodinspace]

Given that you like St-Henri, you should venture out to Verdun on your next trip. Lots of classic-looking greasy spoons and easily accessible by metro. I can't recommend any personally, unless Chinese greasy spoons count (Lotus Bleu, in particular, known for their flat noodle lamb soup...yum!).

[cherylmtl]

The food at Chez John is okay, but certainly nothing to make a special trip for...it's not really a greasy spoon, but it is cheap and filling, and sort of feels like it's stuck in the 60s, but not as kitschy. Club sandwiches are good, but again, I wouldn't go out of my way to visit.

[kpzoo]

Great pics! Good thing I looked at them post-breakfast or I think I'd be heading out for a greasy-spoon meal right about now. ;-)

[Shattered]

I'm impressed you went to Roi d'Ontario! It's a couple short blocks west of Pie IX, way out of the way. Yup, the poutine is great. Thanks for the great pics!

[Jeffsayyes]

Well, we were on our way to the biodome. Our initial choice was out of business, and we found this block which seemed interesting. The choice was between Roi and Gerry's. Gerry's seemed too commercial, my heart fluttered when my partner suggested we go to Roi instead. I've since learned how to make those crepes/pancakes - it's stupid easy.

[ramenking]

As a Montrealer in exile, I mostly crave Paul Patate and the Green Spot. Paul Patate is a great place and the home made spruce beer is delicious.

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Paul Patate
2606 Rue De Coleraine, Montreal, QC H3K1S7, CA

Green Spot
3041 Rue Notre-Dame W, Montreal, QC H4C1N9, CA

[Jeffsayyes]

Green spots looks really cool. However, our stomach space is limited. If we go, it will be a very short trip in there.

Great suggestions! here is our map so far.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=2...

[kpzoo]

Green Spot is classic greasy spoon (still had jukeboxes at every booth last time I was there) but nothing special food-wise and exceptionally bland. Paul Patate is much better for similar fare. Love the map!

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Paul Patate
2606 Rue De Coleraine, Montreal, QC H3K1S7, CA

Green Spot
3041 Rue Notre-Dame W, Montreal, QC H4C1N9, CA

[chickenbruiser]

les belles soeurs - marie anne near fullum - good
ma'amm bolduc - de lorimier and marie anne - very good
steerburger tous les jours - mont-royal not far from papineau - great burgers
mont royal hot dog - classic but not sure about quality
depanneur le pick - hip place

[deborahm]

What a great thread!
I second chickenbruiser's les belles soeurs, ma'amm bolduc, and steerburger tous les jours. These are in an area that will give you a real flavour for the Plateau neighbourhood of Montreal.

Also, Anecdote is fantastic and one of my favourite burger places in the city. I find it is a bit more of a 'high end' retro place and you'll find lots of healthy options on the menu. I still recommend it because their food is so good (they have deer and lamb burgers, maison frites fried in peanut oil, and a poutine with emmenthal cheese that is fantastic and might even make you think you're eating something healthy). Lovely atmosphere.

I would like to add:

--Fameux Viande Fumée et Charcuterie on corner of St-Denis and Mont-Royal

--The Green Spot in Saint-Henri on Notre Dame. Here's a blog entry I found about it with pics:
http://poutinepundit.wordpress.com/20...

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Green Spot
3041 Rue Notre-Dame W, Montreal, QC H4C1N9, CA

[torontrealais]

The Green Spot is a fave amongst my neighbours in St-Henri, though I've never been and cannot vouch for how good it is. Cheap for sure though.

I don't see Nouveau Palais mentioned often on the board, but it's one of my favourite places to eat in the city. Casual diner atmosphere appealing to foodies and the non-foodie locals alike. They'll have typical greasy spoon fare such as burgers and fries, mac'n'cheese, and coleslaw. But OH will they make sure it's all very good. Something simple like macaroni and cheese will be perfectly sauced and al dente, even though it's baked (or seems to be anyway). They also house Grumman 78 for tacos past midnight on the weekends.

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Green Spot
3041 Rue Notre-Dame W, Montreal, QC H4C1N9, CA

[vermontreal]

Agree on the above. A few more...

L'Anecdote and the much talked about La Banquise, both on Rue Rachel (the B.O.M. poutine at La Banquise is greasy goodness to the max).
Patati Patata on St.-Laurent.
Dic Ann's in Montreal-Nord or other locations for flat burgers. Try the one w/ pepperoni.

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Patati Patata
4177 St-Laurent Blvd., Montreal, QC , CA

[Luna2372]

I love this thread. I will keep it till the spring when my partner and me are planning a big trip out to the East Coast.

I am sooo looking forward to coming to Montreal.

L

[kpzoo]

Oh, there's also the Montreal Pool Room, which even has its own Wikipedia entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal_Pool_Room

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=m...

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Montreal Pool Room
1200 Boul Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2X2S5, CA

[cherylmtl]

The Pool Room has supposedly relocated across the street - I have no doubt it's still a greasy spoon, albeit probably slightly cleaner than the previous location (for now...)

[Shattered]

Not really

[westaust]

I would add Wilensky's Light Lunch on Fairmount st for their bologna sandwich, Dillalo burger in St-Henri for a buck burger (cheeseburger with capicollo and hot peppers)

[kpzoo]

For lunch, try Paul Patate in St-Henri. Don't miss their homemade spruce beer.

http://www.montrealmirror.com/2007/05...
(note they moved since this article

)

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Paul Patate
2606 Rue De Coleraine, Montreal, QC H3K1S7, CA

[Shattered]

You mean in Pointe St-Charles. Unless it moved just in the last 6 months.
http://maps.google.ca/maps?oe=utf-8&a...

[kpzoo]

Yes, Pt. St-Charles, sorry!

[kpzoo]

For breakfast, two must-try places come to mind:

Anglo greasy-spoon classic: Cosmos - http://www.montrealgazette.com/Breakfast+Cosmo+generous+fare/4854940/story.html

Franco greasy-spoon classic: Binerie Mont-Royal - http://www.labineriemontroyal.com/

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La Binerie Mont Royal
367 Av Mont-Royal E, Montreal, QC H2T1R1, CA

Cosmos Snack Bar
5843 Rue Sherbrooke W, Montreal, QC H4A1X4, CA

[berbatov]

+1 to Cosmos - for breakfast this place is THE definition of a Greasy Spoon! Please go!