Reviews Wilensky's Light Lunch

Wilensky's Light Lunch? Awesome. I waited something like 30-plus years TOO long to try this Montreal landmark. It was my daughter's first time sampling a special and an egg cream and my 12-year-old is already chomping at the bit to return. She's not the only one :-)

Been comining here for close to a decade and I just love the food, staff, ambiance and everything else about it. A must visit for any Montrealer or tourist.

Love it. A typical historical place, this place is so delicious thank you!

Everything was perfect i love this kind of place's !

chaleureux rapide efficace délicieux

Tradition, integrity and the Wilensky's special..... A perfect example of the saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

A great nostalgic way to enjoy a trip back in time, a great sandwich & soda.....and then top it off with a stop at Fairmount Bagel a-h-h

Always look forward to my visit at Wilensky's! Love the Special and fountain Cherry Coke!

This site uses cookies. By continuing, you agree to their use. Learn more, including how to control cookies. Wilensky’s. 34 Avenue Fairmount O. / Clark. Montréal, Quebec. Phone: (514) 271-0247. Cost: $ 13.36 for two. Wilensky’s needs no introduction. I will not go into a convoluted story about its humble beginnings, its history or popularity. By now many Montrealer’s and foodies from all denomination or cultural background have heard about Wilensky and are familiar with its history. If not, let me just mention in just a few words, it is a Jewish sandwich shop that has been around in its present location on Fairmont and Clark Street in the city’s Mile End, since 1952. It is a family run business that has served a many Montreal generations and has sold millions of their now famous sandwiches appropriately called “The Wilensky Special” to anybody who has come from far and wide.

Wilensky’s Light Lunch is the epitome of your hole in the wall restaurant, but has garnered attention as a fixture of the Montreal food scene on par with Schwartz’s Deli. Founded in 1932, Wilensky’s is still run by the founder’s children (Ruth Wilensky, the founder’s widow, retired a few years ago at the age of 93) and maintains its old timey charm. Tucked away in the Mile End neighbourhood, it’s exterior is nondescript, but the interior is rich with history, tradition, and most importantly, good food. It’s a lunch counter diner straight out of the history books. While there are a couple other items on the menu, everyone goes for the no-nonsense Wilensky Special, and who are we to argue against tradition?

The Wilensky Special is no nonsense - the mustard is mandatory, there’s no special orders, and no, they will not cut your sandwich for you. This is just how the Wilensky Special is and how it has been since 1932…and that’s just the way we like it. The Wilensky Special is a grilled beef salami and beef bologna sandwich on a kaiser pressed flat by the grill. We opted for the swiss cheese option, though we imagine that the plain Special with just mustard and meat tastes just as delicious. The salami and bologna are perfectly flavoured and somehow tastes different (and better) than the deli meats you get at the store. With just the right combination of texture and flavour, this sandwich is everything you can ask for in a light lunch. It’s larger than you might expect, so it’s pleasantly filling, and it’s made just like you would a sandwich at home.

Oh, and because we like rhyming and this is delightful and captures the essence of the Wilensky Special, we have included the famous Wilensky rule here for your reading pleasure:

When ordering a Special, you should know a thing or two.

It is always served with mustard; it is never cut in two.

Don’t ask us why; just understand that this is nothing new.

This is the way that it’s been done since 1932.

I could probably eat like 10 of these sandwiches in one sitting. The Special Sandwich is basically several layers of fried bologna pressed between a nice crisp bun and topped with mustard and cheese. On it's own it's like $4, with cheese it's less than $4.50. I'd recommend the Swiss Cheese over the Kraft Cheddar Cheese as the former is a bit milder and enhances the flavour of the sandwich while the latter is much stronger in flavour.

It's such a simple sandwich, but they've been a Montreal staple for years. The shop even looked straight out of the 30s with the old time feel. The owners are still members of the original family and have been keeping the traditional sandwich and practices alive. Everyone behind the counter is so nice, chatting you up while you eat the sandwich, they're proud of their food and proud to be a member of the community. It was almost like a cliche of locals coming in to gab about current events.

There's other things on the menu like hot dogs and egg sandwiches, but I'll always come back for the Special. While you're there maybe even try an Egg Cream Soda. The root beer has a fantastic flavour.

Right now, I'm actually thinking of these sandwiches and salivating...

Wilensky’s is one of those little Montreal spots that has become an institution in the city. Open since 1932, not much has changed with this popular lunch counter in Montreal’s Mile End. It’s perfect and nostalgic just the way it is! Fridays at the office are rather dull so we started a tradition of taking an extended lunch and going to a fun spot to grab a bite in the city. The Divas went to Wilensky’s with Peaches and Crazy MC – a new friend from the office. We work near the techno park of Ville St-Laurent and most fun lunch spots are in the Plateau so it’s a trek but we haven’t been fired yet! Without a doubt we knew to order the Wilensky Special made up of all beef salami with all beef baloney grilled to perfection on a roll with a hint of mustard. The only advice we have is that you order two – one is not enough! They didn’t become this famous by changing their recipe and this is the original Wilensky sandwich from 1932 – nothing has changed! And don’t bother asking them to not put mustard or cut the sandwich in two… the answer is no! The Wilensky Special comes with the option of adding kraft or swiss cheese, we opted for swiss and it was delicious.

4/5 for Wilensky's. Wilensky's is another one of those institutional icons that can only be found in Montreal. The place was opened in 1932 by Harry Wilensky, an immigrant from Russia. This shop was brought to my attention by watching Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown and by reading National Geographic magazine's Canada's 50 Places of a Lifetime story.
You just don't see places like this anymore, and frankly it's a little bit like stepping into a time machine. You enter through the corner shop's green storefront, and suddenly you're in the sort of room that still uses a soda fountain. There's a long counter with bar stools along it... And not much else. The walls are covered in memorabilia from their long tenure, and there's a bookshelf that is jammed with books. Behind the counter you'll be met with a few members of the Wilensky family, like Harry's grandchildren (great grandchildren?) Sharon and Asher. Once you've plopped yourself on a stool, you'll be served promptly and the food will be in front of you almost before you can get the words out of your mouth.
There are some rules to eating here. Most importantly, they only serve lunch. They're closed by 4pm every day. They also only take cash and they do not allow tipping. And then there are some rules about the food... The "thing to get" at Wilensky's is the Wilensky's Special. Always. Those two words are even a registered trademark. Harry's son Moe invented this sandwich and till this day it's really the only thing to order. Although they do also serve hot dogs and some cold sandwiches.

They have an old-fashioned soda fountain and they use it to serve up homemade drinks. I'd been instructed to try an Egg Cream Soda ($1.50). I chose the vanilla flavour, although it also comes in chocolate. What is an "egg cream," you ask? It's a beverage consisting of milk and soda water as well as vanilla or chocolate syrup, and is especially associated with Brooklyn, home of its alleged inventor, late 19th-century candy store owner Louis Auster. The frothy, effervescent drink is sort of like a milkshake and sort of like a soda, all at once. And it's wonderful and creamy and good! Wilensky's is also famous for their house-made cherry-cola.

They have some sides available, like pickles. So we ordered a Half Sour Pickle ($0.70). I'd never had one before, and they're essentially like regular pickles only they haven't been brined for as long. This makes them much crunchier and a lot less "pickley." I think that my final verdict on them is that I'd rather just have a full-on pickle, although I did enjoy the livelier crunch.

Now the main event really only consists of one obvious choice: Wilensky's Special (The Wilensky Special is a sandwich made with all-beef salami and all-beef bolonga with mustard and grilled on a roll - $4.34). I had mine with swiss cheese added. They say that it's served lightening fast and it is! It was sitting there in front of me before I was even finished ordering it. Did I mention the rules about the food? There is a big sign which reads: "When ordering a Special, you should know a thing or two. It is always served with mustard; it is never cut in two. Don't ask us why; just understand that this is nothing new. This is the way that it's been done since 1932." In other words: Don't mess with tradition. There is nothing fancy about this sandwich and it is extremely simple - and that's the entire beauty of it. The bun is grilled nicely, the meat is savoury and hot, and the mustard adds that little kick of something extra. It doesn't need to be anything else. It almost feels like you're finally eating something the "right" way. None of the food is served on a plate, they just put it in front of you on a napkin.

I can think of no better place for a quick snack because this is just the right amount of food anytime. The staff keeps an eye on you while you're eating, which can feel a little bit intimidating because you might not be sure if you're "doing it right" or if you should hurry up. But they're very friendly and we enjoyed chatting with them. Wilensky's is a must-visit in Montreal because it's such a slice of history.

NOW OPENED ON SATURDAY ,,!!!.... Getting to Wilensky's during the week could be challenging, but now it is opened on Saturday I can get my favourite grilled sandwich , a serving of half sour pickles and a fountain drink....
GREAT,!....

A must in Montreal in the same way that Shwartz's is a must. Obviously go for "the special".
MB score 7.

...It’s cholesterol in a warm handheld more-ish piece of Love, it’s totally not healthy and I’m kinda wondering when I can get another one.

Opened in 1932 by Moe Milensky, the luncheonette and soda fountain originally contained a cornerstore, barbershop, and delicatessen in one. But when a client asked Moe to “make [him] something special,” the famous sandwich, consisting of one slice of bologna, two slices salami and a small dollop of mustard pressed between a cornmeal dusted pletzl, was born.

Amazing spot. A MUST when in Montreal and in need of a quick, delicious snack. A truly awesome landmark and piece of local history. Be sure to check out all the cool clippings on the walls!

This place is awesome. As soon as you go inside you feel it’s a different vibe. The family style just shines through. For how simple the meal was it was delicious. Highly recommend the soda as well as the special with swiss

A Montreal staple since 1932, this family operated deli has been featured in books, magazines, television and movies. The renowned "Wilensky special" and home-made cherry cola are incomparable. The savoury, grilled, all-beef salami and all-beef bologna with mustard on a kaiser roll and excellent side options are a perfect, satisfying light lunch. A must try for any true Montrealer

Iconic Montreal institution for 90 years. Their special is a delicious sandwich of select quality sliced meats with your choice of cheddar or Swiss cheese that melts beautifully to complement the crunchiness of the bread and the warmth of the meat. Take a bite and pair it with a scrumptious pickle and a coffee or an ice cold freshly made soda from the wide selection of flavours they offer.