Take a bite out of these crazy good sandwiches in Montreal
In Montreal, the sandwich is an art form, though perhaps it's more accurate to call it a mad science. There's the wild grilled-cheese fusions offered by artisanal food truck vendors as well as quiet cafés tucked away in Old Montreal. Seafood-themed sandwiches are also popular among traditional restaurants and cafés that are eclectic in both their menus and decor. [Image credit: iStock.com/NightAndDayIimages]
Café Santropol
3990, rue Saint-Urbain, Montréal, QC H2W 1T7Part of a block that was set for demolition in the mid-1970s, Café Santropol began with a simple idea of offering modest fare such as salads, soups and sandwiches, though it eventually grew into an eclectic café. There's the house special: Santropol, which combines cream and blue cheese with meat and veggies. Up the ante with the Pepper Island Pesto, which has cream cheese and Café Santropol's own hot pepper jelly, along with crunchy cucumbers and ham.
P.A. & Gargantua (Food Truck)
Evoking the gluttony and excess of "Gargantua and Pantagruel" by Francois Rabelais, the food truck that bears the name is best known for its gourmet grilled-cheese sandwiches, popular with the St-Denis construction workers who, on sunny afternoons, can be seen lounging on picnic tables in the nearby park while downing these fried wonders. Try a little Thanksgiving-themed number with grilled cheese, apple and cranberries. Or grab a fix for your gourmand urge on a hot summer day with the strawberry-rhubarb version.
Pas D'Cochon Dans Mon Salon
2325 Dandurand, Montréal, QC H2G 1Z3Pas D'Cochon Dans Mon Salon does have a regular location, but because it's also a food truck, you can usually find it parked in the same lot as P.A. & Gargantua. The most popular item is the pulled-pork sandwich, which offers a fat, juicy portion of pork, slow cooked in a combination of sweet and spicy sauce, and served with pickles and lettuce on a good-sized Kaiser bun.
Café Titanic
445, rue Saint-Pierre, Montréal, QC H2Y 2M8Old Montreal's got some sweet sandwich shops, and Café Titanic is one of the best. Nestled in between Notre-Dame and Saint-Paul Streets, it's got the food to match the pretty decor (inside and out). They cater and offer in-house dining, making their killer sandwiches a good option for any occasion. Try the grilled cheese on a plank (it's just what it sounds like) or the Italian-themed Milanese pork cutlet sandwich. If you prefer white meat, go for the chicken cutlet sandwich, which has roasted peppers.
Café Pavé
243, rue Notre-Dame O, Montréal, QC H2Y 1T4This is another Old Montreal original located on Notre-Dame West, not far from the Basilica. A favourite among regulars is pulled pork on a baguette with an artichoke and spinach spread, topped with Monterey cheese. Montreal boasts outstanding Italian fare, and Café Pavé also has the goods. The pesto-flavoured chicken and prosciutto Genova sandwich stands up to the best of them, and there's even a gluten-free variation.
Hof Kelsten
4524 boul St Laurent, Montreal, QC H2T 1R3Hof Kelsten is right in the heart of the Plateau and holds its own among other famous Montreal sandwich establishments. These guys stand out for their bread. Baker Jeffrey Finkelstein makes a rye and caraway bread that goes quite well with his own smoked gravlax topped with cream cheese, fennel and cucumbers. He's also no slouch when it comes to traditional breads like the French baguette. The chopped liver and brisket are also popular items.
Cafe Vasco Da Gama
1472, rue Peel, Montréal, QC H3A 1S8Café Vasco da Gama is on one of the side streets not far from Ste-Catherine West, the popular downtown shopping hub. This place is usually hopping at lunchtime, mainly because of the duck confit sandwich, which consists of fig and duck purée (not kidding) on fresh bread with slices of rich São Jorge cheese (from Portugal), all grilled panini-style. For something completely different (and seafood-themed), a shrimp wrap with mango and avocado might be a good choice.
