For over 90 years, Dunn’s has been an integral part of the Montreal culinary scene, a place where comfort food traditions run deep. We are incredibly proud to have been named one of the best smoked meat restaurants in Montreal by our loyal customers, thanks to the famous dishes that have become staples on our menu.
Our smoked meat menu offers many choices, but every long-time customer knows the essential, must-try items. From our classic smoked meat sandwich to the strawberry cheesecake that practically all Montrealers talk about, here are the five signature dishes that define the Dunn’s experience.
If you’re wondering what to eat at Dunn’s first, start here.
1. Dunn’s Famous Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich
The cornerstone of our legacy, the Montreal smoked meat sandwich, is the reason many walk through our doors. It’s a cultural icon and the standard by which our deli is judged.
- The Cut: We use the perfect medium cut balance: juicy, tender, and perfectly spiced, ensuring you get the maximum flavor without excessive dryness or overwhelming fat.
- The Cure: Our secret lies in the long process. The brisket is dry-cured for a minimum of 10-14 days using a signature blend heavily featuring cracked peppercorns and coriander seed.
- The Serve: The meat is piled high on fresh rye bread and served with a simple smear of classic yellow mustard. Crucially, the meat is always steamed just before slicing and serving, ensuring it’s meltingly tender and hot.
To complete the classic deli experience, order your sandwich with a side of crispy French fries, a serving of creamy coleslaw, and a sour pickle. Order the black cherry soda, and you have our dream meal on the table.
2. Dunn’s Famous Reuben Sandwich
The Reuben is the smoked meat sandwich’s slightly fancier, warmer cousin. It’s a complete meal built around the quality of our deli meat.
- Quality Meat: The star remains our signature Montreal smoked meat, sliced thinly for easy eating.
- Perfect Pairings: This sandwich elevates the experience with sharp Swiss cheese and tangy sauerkraut, all brought together by a creamy, house-made Russian dressing.
- Grilling: The final touch is grilling the rye bread until it’s buttery and crispy, creating a beautiful contrast to the soft, warm fillings and allowing the cheese to melt into all the corners.
Enjoy it with a side of sweet potatoes or latkes; the pickle and coleslaw are always constant!
3. Dunn’s Famous Poutine
We honor Quebec’s most famous comfort creation with a poutine that stands up to the legacy of our deli meat. It’s the ultimate indulgence and the perfect side for any sandwich.
- The Fries: We start with the foundation: fresh, hand-cut, double-fried golden fries that boast a crisp exterior and a fluffy interior, essential for holding up the toppings.
- The Curds: Only fresh, squeaky cheese curds will do. They partially melt under the heat but retain their unique texture.
- The Gravy: The secret ingredient is our rich, savory, and thick brown gravy, poured piping hot over the entire mountain of flavor.
Choose from favorites like Italian poutine, or load it up with hot dogs, hot crispy chicken, and more.
4. Dunn’s Famous French Onion Soup
A classic bistro starter, perfected for the cold Montreal climate, our French Onion Soup is a testament to slow cooking and rich depth of flavor.
- The Broth: The base is a deep, rich, slow-simmered beef stock that provides the necessary savory canvas.
- The Onions: Sweet, soft, and perfectly caramelized onions give the soup its signature sweetness and depth.
- The Cap: The mandatory thick layer of toasted bread is topped with a generous portion of Gruyère cheese and broiled until it forms a golden, stringy, and utterly irresistible crust.
5. Dunn’s Famous Strawberry Cheesecake
After all that savory comfort, you need a grand finish. No one visits Dunn’s and doesn’t try our famous dessert, it’s the cheesecake all Montreal talks about. It is frequently cited as the best strawberry cheesecake in the city.
- The Texture: The cheesecake features an ultra-creamy, dense, and luxurious filling; it’s rich without being heavy, delivering pure decadence in every bite.
- The Crust: We use a sturdy, flavorful graham cracker base that provides the perfect textural contrast to the smooth filling.
- The Topping: It is finished with a crown of fresh strawberries or a vibrant, homemade strawberry glaze, offering a light, tart counterpoint to the sweetness.
- The Size: These generous slices are meant to satisfy, making them perfect for sharing, or for keeping all to yourself!
Conclusion
From the traditional Montreal smoked meat that made us famous to the perfect poutine and legendary cheesecake, Dunn’s offers a comprehensive culinary tour of comfort food.
What are you waiting for? Come down to Dunn’s Famous today and try one (or all five!) of our signature dishes.
Key Takeaways
- Dunn’s Famous is a Montreal institution known for comfort food, proudly recognized by customers as one of the best smoked meat restaurants in the city.
- The signature Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich is prepared with a specific medium cut, dry-cured for up to 14 days, and crucially, steamed right before slicing for maximum tenderness.
- The classic smoked meat experience is completed by ordering the dream meal, which includes French fries, coleslaw, a sour pickle, and the indispensable black cherry soda.
- The menu extends beyond sandwiches to include customizable favorites like Poutine (with options like Italian, hot dog, or crispy chicken toppings) and rich French Onion Soup.
- The perfect Dunn’s meal ends with the legendary Strawberry Cheesecake, widely cited as the best in Montreal, celebrated for its ultra-creamy texture.
