Wilensky's is most famous for its Special: a grilled salami-from-beef and bologna-from-beef sandwich with mustard on a kaiser roll, pressed flat from the grill — mustard is compulsory, as a sign in the restaurant announces.[2] Though recognized as part of Montreal's Jewish community, the restaurant is not kosher. Their soda pop drinks are still mixed by hand.[3]
History
Originally called Wilensky's Cigar Store,[4] the restaurant was located at the corner of St. Urbain Street and Fairmount Avenue in Montreal's Mile End district. It moved to its current location in 1952 [1] and was run by the founder's widow Ruth Wilensky (until 2012), his son Asher, daughter Sharon and granddaughter Alisa.[5][6]
Wilensky's Special
The famous Wilensky's special sandwich is a grilled bologna sandwich. It was included in Travel + Leisure magazine's May 2012 edition's article about the 'Best Sandwiches From Around the World', written by Jonathan Gold.[7] It was also featured in the second episode of David Chang and Anthony Bourdain's PBS series The Mind of a Chef,[8] with Bourdain visiting again for another Wilensky's special as part of the Quebec episode of Parts Unknown.[9][10]
Gallery
Ruth Wilensky
Two opened Wilensky's Specials, a dill pickle, and a cherry coke
