The Montrealhot dog is one of several variations of hot dogs served as a fast food staple at restaurants and diners in Montreal and other parts of Quebec. In Montreal, the hot dog buns generally used in restaurants are top loading hot dog buns, rather than the side loading hot dog buns generally used in other parts of Canada. Montreal hot dogs are considered to be rather small and are generally sold for between $0.50 and $1.00 depending on the area of purchase and dressing. Popular brands include Lesters, Lafleur's, and Glatt's kosher. The city of Montreal did not permit street food carts from 1947 until 2011, leading to a proliferation of small "greasy spoon" restaurants which are variations on the classic Québécois casse-croute restaurants. These restaurants may serve hot dogs with fresh-cut fries, poutine, hamburgers, pogos, hamburger steaks, in addition to Greek dishes, pizza, and smoked meat. Restaurant chains known for their hot dogs include La Belle Province, Valentine, and Lafleur Restaurants. One longstanding Montreal independent restaurant that offers hot dogs is the Montreal Pool Room. The 'steamie' hot dog variety has become quite popular across Canada, now frequently replacing the traditional one. Steamie parlours, called 'wieneries', have opened across Canada and are replacing typical hot dogs at franchised restaurants, too.
Variations
Montreal hot dogs may either be steamé, translated into English as "steamies",, which are fresh from the steamer and rather soft, or toasté, which are grilled or toasted until crisp. Toastés are slightly more expensive and less popular. In Montreal, hot dogs generally come dressed one of three ways:
All-dressed : This hot dog, usually a 'steamie', is topped with mustard, chopped onion, and fresh coleslaw or plain chopped cabbage ; however, sauerkraut, or coleslaw of the creamy variety, is rarely used. An all-dressed hot dog typically does not include ketchup, which must be requested specifically. Relish is also usually available, but in the oldest hot-doggeries, e.g., the Montreal Pool Room, or Decarie Hot Dog, "all-dressed" historically meant without relish.
Michigan hot dog: This hot dog is topped with meat chili sauce or spaghetti sauce. It can be served with or without diced onions and mustard.
Supreme: The hot dog is topped with cheese and bacon. This variation comes from Lafleur Restaurants.
