We all know that Calgarians love their beef, but as young professionals we also love a variety of styles and ways to enjoy it. As a sandwich, nothing really compares with a well-made Montreal smoked meat sandwich; the thought alone has our mouths watering.
Thanks to Myhre’s Deli, located in the vibrant Beltline district (1411 11 St. SW), YPs don’t have to travel five hours via plane to indulge. Proprietor Brad Myhre was a long-time patron of Montreal’s famous smoked meat eateries and took the leap in 2002 to create a space in Calgary that offered the same authentic deli treats and experience.
The minute you walk in, you feel as if you have been transported to a different place or era. The mahogany paneling, some of the furniture, and the black and white photography on the walls were salvaged and restored from The Palace of Eats, a vintage lunch counter that served Calgarians on Stephen Avenue from 1918 -1964. The ancient wood-grain counter makes you wonder how many sandwiches have crossed over.
The décor is amazing, but the food has been drawing people in for nearly a decade. The meat comes directly from Montreal-based Quebec Smoked Meats. Myrhe’s takes the meat, which is then steamed, cut and piled high (Regular has 6 oz., while the Boss has 10 oz.) on rye bread with your choice of mustard. Each sandwich comes with coleslaw, a kosher pickle and BBQ chips. To wash it down, Myrhe’s has a variety of old fashioned soda pops to choose from.
The menu is compact, but still covers all the bases. They also offer a Reuben, bagel with lox, and a roasted turkey sandwich, each of with comes with the above sides. We definitely recommend enjoying your sandwich in-house, but if you’re taking it to go, each is served up in a little brown box and fastened with a branded sticker.
Photo courtesy Myhre’s Deli
