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la belle province

The Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation au Quebec (MAPAQ) has hit a handful of Montreal fast food restaurants with hefty health inspection fines.

The MAPAQ determined many of the restaurants were not operating in accordance with its health and safety standards, many of which were fined for improper food temperatures and storage, premise cleanliness and staff hygiene issues.

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Whether you prefer biting into a fatty or lean sandwich, skipping the pickle or asking for extra, getting it with a side of 'slaw or nah — there's no denying that Montreal smoked meat is an iconic dish.

Smoked meat is one of a handful of foods that is truly, enduringly emblematic of Montreal, along with poutine and bagels — one of those dishes so inextricably linked to the city that some people travel here specifically to eat it. It's a working-class food with working-class origins, part of the foundation upon which Montreal's haute-cuisine reputation has been built.

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Montreal hot dogs aren't just an affordable late-night snack, they're also a local speciality — steamies, or steamé, are uniquely Quebecois. They're often smaller than steam-cooked hot dogs south of the border and topped with onions, relish, coleslaw and a tangy "secret" sauce that varies from vendor to vendor.

The street food dates back to the early 1940s when Montreal saw a period of rapid urbanization and many Quebecers moved to the city from rural areas to find work. Hot dog stands began to pop up, offering a convenient and inexpensive snack that could be eaten quickly and easily, which made them popular with factory workers.

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Winter hasn't said its final words in la belle province just yet.

The Quebec weather forecast is predicting a snowstorm coming our way on Sunday, February 27.

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Travelling can still be a bit of a hassle right now, so if you've been trying to figure out where to take a little staycation, U.S. News and World Report's new Best Hotels in Canada ranking is here to help you out.

Out of the 25 top Canadian hotels in 2021, seven are in Quebec. Not bad, right? That means there are quite a few hotels to explore in la belle province that won't make you feel the need to go too far.

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Indoor dining is back, baby! And our city has all kinds of unique spots for you to taste test in 2022. While we all think of La Cage aux Sports as "the" sports bar in Montreal, we think it may have just found its newest competition.

La Chambre Bistro in Montreal opened in December 2021 just as Premier François Legault decided to shut down restaurant dining halls in Quebec yet again. But now, after a little break, this new sports bar is ready to serve Montrealers all over again, at 50% capacity, for now.

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