The hottest “chien chaud” in Montreal

There were several high points during a recent visit to Montreal with my boyfriend Ross.
Delivering his red pick-up to valet parking at the Queen Elizabeth hotel kicked things off. I have a hunch they don’t park many such vehicles in the bowels of that trusty landmark currently celebrating the 40th anniversary of John and Yoko’s famous bed-in.
Next came brilliant British guitar genius Jeff Beck’s appearance at the Jazz Festival. The veteran rocker played to a high-testosterone audience of avid fans each of whom had forked out a good wad of money to attend. His encore, the haunting “Jerusalem,” was magnifique.
No visit to the city of my birth is complete without a pilgrimage to smoked meat mecca Schwartz’s on St. Laurent.
Timing is key, as I’ve learned the hard way, and 3 pm on a weekday was perfect for introducing Ross – a Schwartz’s virgin – to a late lunch of a smoked meat sandwich, fries and dill pickle eaten at the best spot in the room: a stool at the counter.
As for a new discovery, we came upon Chien Chaud Victoire (formerly Victory Hot Dogs), located at 1025 Beaver Hall, en route to Old Montreal from our hotel.
This nifty spot has been around for more than 30 years and basically makes two things: hot dogs and fries.They use Lester’s franks and offer the buns steamed or grilled. And they do them well – more proof that sweet and simple win the day.