Last weekend, I got to visit one of my favorite cities in the world. Montreal has a bit of that European vacation flavor to it, but you don't have to cross time zones. A bunch of friends of mine and I pick a weekend once a year and fly in from around the country. It's a nice escape from the Florida heat. And it's a great place to clog an artery or two. These are the 4 things I love to snack on when I'm north of the border. Unfortunately, none of them can be found in Tampa.
#4: Salade de Chou
First stop in Montreal: Schwartz Deli. Don't wait in this line.
#4: Salade de Chou
Go to the take out side of Schwartz and look for this on the left in the cooler.
#4: Salade de Chou
Keep in mind these are Canadian prices so it's about 25% cheaper than those prices you see. Schwartz's is famous for their smoked meat but...
#4: Salade de Chou
The best part of the meal to me is the Canadian-style cole slaw. It's tangy not creamy like here in the U.S.
#4: Salade de Chou
As great as the cole slaw is, you should get the smoked meat sandwich and fries too. At least the sandwich. The fries are good but the sandwich is why Schwartz's Deli is legendary.
#4: Salade de Chou
The tart and tangy flavor is out of this world. I wish you could taste this photo. OK enough ranting about cole slaw... let's move on to #3.
#3: Smarties
These aren't the Smarties we have in the U.S.... you know that tube of chalky tarts. They are little chocolates inside a candy shell - similiar to, but way better than M&Ms.
#3: Smarties
Sometimes you can find these, but most stores carry far inferior M&M's. Worst feeling is when I reach this point in the photo when there are none left.
#2: Squeaky Cheese
I'll never forget when I walked in to this variety store and saw something weird.
#2: Squeaky Cheese
As I approached the counter, I saw a basket of cheese in plastic bags left out.
#2: Squeaky Cheese
I thought "Who's the idiot who left the cheese out of the cooler?"
#2: Squeaky Cheese
Turns out it's not meant to be refrigerated - unless you plan to wait a week or so before eating the curds.
#2: Squeaky Cheese
They're so fresh and tasty... and when you bite into them, the most cheese squeaks. Thus the name.
#1: Old Dutch Ketchup Chips
Last but certainly not least, my favorite potato chip in the world.
#1: Old Dutch Ketchup Chips
Be careful! You have to get OLD DUTCH ones. Just like we have half a dozen choices at Publix for BBQ chips, Canadian supermarkets will have just as many varieties of ketchup chips. You want the OLD DUTCH ones.
#1: Old Dutch Ketchup Chips
They pair perfectly with that squeaky cheese.
#1: Old Dutch Ketchup Chips
If you can't make it to Canada, in parts of New England you might be able to find Humpty Dumpty ketchup chips. They are made by Old Dutch.
My favorite Canadian meal...
Bliss. Probably not a nutritionally balanced breakfast, but it works for me.
