You can taste a memory, not just remember it. Studies show that taste and smell are directly linked to the brain’s limbic system, the part responsible for memory and emotion. That’s why the smell, plus one bite of something familiar, can transport you back years in an instant.
The moment your fork hits something slow-cooked and soul-deep, something you grew up eating without even realizing it mattered, you’re back at the kitchen table of your childhood. That’s what 2025 diners are craving, not just flavor, but feeling.
All across North America, and especially in Montreal, nostalgic food trends are stealing the spotlight. It’s not just about what’s new anymore. It’s about what’s real. The flavors we thought we left behind are coming back stronger than ever.
And in Montreal, no dish speaks to this craving for the familiar more than smoked meat.
The Rise of “Newstalgia”: When the Past Gets Reinvented
There’s a word for what’s happening in food culture right now: newstalgia. It’s the art of blending retro flavor with modern presentation. We’ve seen it in the resurgence of diner-style burgers on upscale menus, in the return of soda fountain flavors like orange cream, and in comfort-driven re-releases like Blue Bell’s Groom’s Cake ice cream or Dirty Soda’s orange pop creamer line. These aren’t novelties, they’re emotional triggers.
In restaurants, this trend is being led by chefs who are ditching molecular techniques for meatloaf, and trading truffle oil for brown sugar glazes. It’s about comfort, but elevated. You don’t have to compromise taste for simplicity, you just have to know where to find the balance.
Why Comfort Food Is More Than a Trend
Nowadays, people are more likely to crave nostalgic flavors during periods of stress or uncertainty. That explains a lot about where food is heading. We don’t just want to be fed, we want to feel anchored.
Food connected to our childhood or personal milestones releases dopamine. It calms us, it warms us, and it reminds us that some things, when done right, never go out of style.
Smoked meat is that kind of food. It’s not flashy, it’s not trendy for the sake of being trendy, it’s just deeply satisfying because it’s deeply rooted.
Montreal Smoked Meat
In Montreal, smoked meat is more than a sandwich, it’s history, patience, tradition, and community. That’s why places like Dunn’s Famous, which has been serving hand-sliced smoked meat since 1927, continue to thrive. They didn’t jump on the nostalgia trend, they were always part of it.
Smoked meat is prepared with a 14-day marination process, then slow-smoked and steamed until the brisket practically melts into the bread. It’s served on classic rye with a smear of mustard. Not because it’s old-school, but because that combination still works. Still hits.
Still tastes like home.
The Flavor Pairings That Bring It All Back
What makes smoked meat so nostalgic isn’t just the meat itself; it’s the ritual. It’s how every detail works together:
- Soft rye bread, lightly warmed
- Sliced brisket: lean, medium, or fatty
- Sharp yellow mustard
- Dill pickle on the side
- Coleslaw, just tangy enough
- And a black cherry soda or root beer seals the deal
These combinations aren’t random; they’ve lasted because they deliver. And for those who grew up in or around Montreal, or who made their first visit to Dunn’s Famous on a family trip, these flavors stay locked in memory like favorite songs.
Retro Flavors Are Trending
Brown sugar was named the 2025 Flavor of the Year. Cherry has taken over not just drinks, but glazes, sauces, and rubs. Mustard is getting its spotlight back. And pickle brine? It’s not just for cucumbers anymore, it’s in everything from snacks to cocktails.
Smoked meat has always played well with those ingredients. And today’s delis are experimenting subtly: smoked meat glazed with maple or paired with brown sugar–rubbed fries. Pickle-spiked mustard sauces. Even smoked meat pizza finished with cherry pepper oil.
The beauty of smoked meat is that it doesn’t need to be reinvented, but it can evolve without losing its soul.
Comfort Food for a Crowd
Comfort food has never been meant to be eaten alone, it belongs on platters. At birthday tables, on holidays, on plastic trays in old-school delis, and as more people return to family-style eating, smoked meat is stepping back into the spotlight.
Whether it’s part of a catered event or a casual dinner at a neighborhood, classic food like smoked meat invites connection. It’s generous, filling, and it brings people together over a shared love of something warm and well-made.
Conclusion
When it comes to food, it’s a form of storytelling. And the best stories are the ones that get passed down, not rebranded.
So whether you’re craving something that reminds you of a childhood trip to your favorite deli, or you’re discovering the beauty of smoked meat for the first time, know this:
You’re not following a trend, you’re joining a tradition.
And there’s no better place to start than with a proper smoked meat sandwich: slow-cooked, hand-carved, served hot, and built to last at Dunn’s Famous, one of Montreal’s most iconic institutions.
