If you’re from Montreal, chances are a close friend moved to Toronto sometime in the last few years. Maybe they were chasing economic opportunities or fleeing language politics. Maybe they just really, really like eating hot dogs in the street. Whatever their reasons, they’re gone. And now you — the devoted friend you are — trek down the 401 now and again to see them, bringing iconic Montreal food as a gift. Editor's Choice: This Montreal Company's Gooey, Sweet Cinnamon Bun Boxes Are Perfect For Fall Picnics We all know that if you are visiting a friend far away, a gift for the host is in good taste. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive, but it’s nice when the gift is a food associated with your hometown. But what should a Montrealer bring to a Torontonian? Even I, a proud Toronto-hater, have to admit that our neighbours to the southwest have a lot going for them both food-wise and otherwise. They’ve got Dundas Square, which is just like Times Square but nicer, and the only Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament location in Canada. There are white squirrels — and purple raptors, their championship-winning NBA team. But believe it or not, we here in provincial Montreal have some tasty treats that you just can’t find over there. So, here are some gift ideas for your best friends in Toronto. Sure, some seem obvious. But just try showing up in Toronto without a few dozen bagels and see what happens! There are also other less obvious gifts for your friends down in the 6ix. Bagels View this post on Instagram This is our Monday motivation! C’est notre motivation pour les lundis! #stviateurbagel #bagel #bagels #montrealbagels #bagelshop A post shared by St-Viateur Bagel (@stviateurbagel) on Aug 24, 2020 at 1:51pm PDT To my knowledge, most of the bagels in Toronto were machine-rolled at Tim Hortons and taste like the absence of love. (I'm kidding but my taste buds don't know that.) That’s not the case here where they’re hand-rolled and baked in a wood oven, with love. Buy them, stick them in those plastic bags, and place them by your feet on the bus or train on your way to Toronto like little edible foot-warmers. Smoked Meat View this post on Instagram It’s best friends day! Celebrate it with your close ones at Lester’s Deli! Photo: @iggylai. . . . . #BestFriendsDay#montreal #mtl #mtlmoments #smokedmeat #smokedmeatlover #poutine #poutinelover #tasty #tastyfood #delicious #goodfood #foodie #foodporn #foodies #lestersdeli #deliciousness #mtlfood #mtlfoodies #we_love_smokedmeat #fortheloveoffood A post shared by Lester's Deli (@lestersdeli) on Jun 8, 2018 at 1:05pm PDT There are a number of very fine delis in Toronto — and a lot of them serve "Montreal-style smoked meat." So maybe your friends over there would like to sample a few of our meats. Schwartz's is certainly the most famous place in this city for delicious, nutritious (I wish) Montreal smoked meat. If they've already tried Schwartz's and are looking for something new, Lester's Deli, Snowdon Deli or Main Deli will not disappoint. Foie Gras View this post on Instagram Cette semaine passez chercher votre Tarte au boudin maison et foie gras au sel. Précommande : Info@pieddecochon.ca Livraison : (514) 281-1114 📸@antoinettebruno A post shared by AuPieddeCochonMTL (@restaurantaupieddecochon) on Jun 9, 2020 at 6:43pm PDT I’m not here to debate the ethical considerations around foie gras, and I’m not saying you can’t find it in Toronto, because you can. I’m just saying that in Montreal, we appear to be awfully fond of this deliciously controversial food — the best of which can be found in shops and restaurants across the city. Cheese Curds View this post on Instagram Une poutine, un picnic, de la bonne compagnie et du ☀️ Besoin de rien d’autre pour être heureux ! Appel avant et quand tu arrives elle est prête 🥳 (514) 525-2415 . . . #labanquise #takeout #bonheursimple #montrealfoodie #fromage #parclafontaine #plateaumontroyal #picnic #weekendvibes A post shared by La Banquise (@restolabanquise) on Jun 6, 2020 at 9:16am PDT To make authentic poutine, those squiggly, squeaky chunks of young cheddar are absolutely essential. But their brief shelf-lives mean it’s practically impossible to get them fresh in Toronto. Cheese curds lose their squeak mere hours after they’re made due to increased moisture, even if you stick them in the fridge. So, buy a few sacks and head down the highway in a hurry. Your friend in the Big Smoke is sure to thank you. Minced Ham Sandwiches View this post on Instagram Devinez où je suis? #couchetard #magasin #quebec A post shared by Couche-Tard (@couchetardqc) on Feb 6, 2014 at 2:08pm PST If you’re a connoisseur of gas station sandwiches, as I am, then you'll agree those little morsels of minced ham between slices of white bread are an underappreciated delicacy. Are they good for you? Certainly not. Are they good? You bet! And you cannot get them in Toronto. Tourtière View this post on Instagram Tourtière is a double-crusted meat pie from Canada, the dish is made with minced pork, veal, beef, rabbit or fish depending on what is regionally available.⠀ ⠀ 📷 Thanks to @waxonwaxoffdanielsan for the photo⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 👉 Tag @cookwithlocals with your local food's photos if you would like to be shared 📸⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 👥 Follow us on www.facebook.com/cookwithlocals 👍⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📩 Sign up to newsletter and you'll be the first to live a new food experience.👇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ www.cookwithlocals.com⠀ A post shared by Cook with locals (@cookwithlocals) on Dec 9, 2019 at 11:04pm PST You’d be able to find a fine meat pie somewhere in Toronto but for real, authentic French Canadian tourtière, why not get it directly from the source? Tarte Au Sucre View this post on Instagram Happy Canada Day🥳🇨🇦 I made tarte au sucre (sugar tart)today , Unfortunately we should celebrate Canada day at home this year. . امروز اول ماه جولاي ، روز ملي شدن كانادا در سال ١٨٦٧ ميلادي هست و تعطيل رسمي و جشن درهمه ايالتهاي كاناداهست ولي امسال بخاطر كرونا جشن عمومي كنسله براي همين من تارت شكري كه يكي از شيريني هاي مخصوص كانادا هست رو درست كردم كه خيلي خوشمزس و انشالا در آينده نزديك دستورشو بهتون ميدم. #canadaday #canadaday2020 #canadaday🇨🇦 #ottawaphoto #sugartart #شيريني_مدرن #گاناش #ottawafood #شيريني #تارت #ottawafoodies #caramelpastry #ottawapastry #tarteausucre #fêteaucanada2020 #tarteausucrequébécoise A post shared by Caramel pastry (@caramel.pastry) on Jul 1, 2020 at 12:05pm PDT You can taste the joie de vivre in this unapologetically decadent dessert made with sugar, cream, flour, eggs, butter and maple syrup. They’re similar to butter tarts, which are very popular in Ontario, but they have their own Quebecois flare. Hot Sauce From Ma Poule Mouillée View this post on Instagram COVID-19 : FERMETURE IMMINENTE Aujourd'hui, nous avons fait le choix de PRIORISER la santé et la sécurité de nos employés et de nos clients. Pour cette raison, nous en sommes arrivés à la conclusion qu'il est plus sage de FERMER Ma Poule Mouillée aussitôt que notre stock courant sera épuisé, et ce, pendant une période indéterminée. Nous vous tiendrons informés de nos prochaines actions sur nos différents réseaux sociaux : Facebook et Instagram. En attendant de nos nouvelles, on vous invite tous à prendre soin de vos proches. MAIS AVANT, on vous invite à faire votre réserve de sauce maison piri-piri. 😉 Au plaisir de vous revoir en grand nombre très bientôt ! MERCI POUR VOTRE SOUTIEN !!! A post shared by Ma Poule Mouillée (@mapoulemouillee) on Mar 21, 2020 at 10:08am PDT There are many places to enjoy Portuguese chicken in Toronto, but the hot sauce from Ma Poule Mouillée — a spicy piri-piri made from a secret recipe — is something special. So special, in fact, that people line up to get in.
