Photo cred - googling2000g
What's today? No, not Monday, and no, not your birthday. No one cares about your birthday, get over it. Today, for those who aren't in the know on Montreal's latest food themed-week, is the first day of Montreal Steamy Week. Or is that Steamie Week? Whatever, expect both spellings throughout this article, to fully embrace the Franglais-ness of Montreal's famous hot dog.
Believing that the steamy needed just as much love as the poutine or smoked meat sandwich, a group of steamy-loving Montrealers banded together to create Steamy Week, and now you get the excuse to eat steamies for 7 days straight with a semi-legit excuse.
Finding steamies is pretty easy all around Montreal, but some spots are far superior than others. Don't be a basic steamie betch and go to Belle-Pro. Instead, head to one of these spots for the very steamiest of steamies.
Click here for 10 Steamy Hot Dogs You Need To Eat During Montreal's Steamy Week 2015 >
Decarie Hot Dog
953 Boulevard Décarie
A direct quote from Decarie Hot Dog's Facebook page basically sums up the entire restaurant: "You know you're from Ville Saint-Laurent when you go to one place to buy hot dogs." Doling out steamies since 1969, Decarie Hot Dog is not just a staple of Ville Saint-Laurent, but of all of Montreal. Slightly slimmer with a better bread-to-hot dog ratio (so meatier) than most steamie spots.
Montreal Pool Room
1200 Saint Laurent
Of all Montreal steamy spots, the Montreal Pool Room is probably my personal favourite, largely because the clientele is always a mixed bag of the zaniest Montrealers, and especially so at 4am. Not that their steamies are anything to scoff at either, because the downtown landmark has been making them since 1912. A hundred years of hot dogs is hard to ignore/not be impressed by. If you've never been before, don't expect any pool tables, but they do also make sure to try the poutine.
Photo cred - Charles N.
The Green Spot
3041 Notre-Dame W
One of Saint Henri's go-to greasy spoons is an amazing steamy spot. Breakfast and brunch may be your usual visiting times, but don't forget the diner is open 24 hours, so late night steamies are definitely a reason to hit up the G Spot. Yup, some good, long hot dogs are really a hit at the G Spot. Sorry, but I couldn't resist the urge to throw in a sexualized abbreviation...at least not when talking about hot dogs.
Orange Julep
7700 Decarie
This is an equation everyone in Montreal knows to be fact: Julep + Steamy = damn delicious. With all sorts of fast food delights on the Orange Julep menu, the steamy is your best option, if you're not going the poutine route, that is. Besides, the slightly spicy mixture of meats that make up the Lester's brand hot dog is perfectly complimented by the citrus-smoothness of the Julep. And yes, I just went into a steamy-beverage pairings, take that wine snobs.
Bocadillo
Photo cred - 1224 Belanger + 3677 Saint Laurent
Surprised to see the infamous arepa place on a hot dog list? We were too, but apparently Bocadillo is the only Montreal resto we know of that actually created an original hot dog for Steamy Week. The Bocadillo-dog is made with homemade Viennese bread, 100% beef grilled hot dog, coleslaw, red onion, Venezuelan white cheese, fried cassava, and their classic house sauce that is creamy glory.
Moe's Diner
1455 Lambert Closse
Otherwise known as Casse-Croute Du Coin, Moe's is the 24-hour greasy spoon regularly frequented by anyone living in the west side of downtown, and their steamy is always the perfect side to any late night meal. Well-paired with basically anything on the menu, adding a steamy to your Moe's meal is the ultimate drunchy experience.
Chez Claudette
351 Laurier E
Another 24-hour poutine spot to grace this list, Chez Claudette's steamies should never be ignored. Pair one of their 35 different poutine dishes with a steamie and you're set. Okay, you may not be able to move you're so stuffed, but in all other respects, totally set.
Photo cred - wienerapocalypse
Mont Royal Hot Dog
1001 Mont-Royal E
A relative newcomer to the steamy scene in Montreal (at least compared to the other places on this list) Mont-Royal Hot Dog should still be respected because hot dogs are what they do. Crazy poutines and fish & chips may be what they're known for, but nothing beats a solid steamy, and MRHD (an abbreviation I'm starting right now) does the classic Montreal hot dog justice.
Mister Steer
1198 Sainte Catherine
You've no doubt walked passed this hot dog spot many a time while strolling down Sainte Catherine, and while their dogs are technically grilled and not steamed, they are featured on the Steamy Week website which is all the justification I needed to put 'em on this list. Besides, a whole week of steamies is pretty intense, you're going to need some variety, right?
Le Fameux
4500 St. Denis
The last on our list goes to the iconic Mont-Royal eatery Le Fameux. While the menu boasts all sorts of comfort foods, you can't go wrong with a steamy. Or just order a late-night breakfast with a steamy on the side. You can never go wrong with more food, especially when the extra accompaniment is a Montreal-style hot dog.
Honorable Mention: The KFC Double Down Dog...which may kill you but we'd still take the meaty plunge.
