Montreal is a second home to me. It’s a North American city with a European feel, and I love everything about it, including the food. Many people associate Quebecois food with poutine, perhaps the province’s most famous culinary export. But did you know about the Montreal hot dog?
There are two types of hot dogs associated with Montreal. There is the steamie (steamé in French) and the toastie (toasté). For the steamie, both the hot dog and the bun are steamed. For the toastie, the hot dog is grilled, typically on a flattop, and its bun is toasted on either side. You can top both hot dogs with whatever you please, but they have the option of being served “all-dressed,” with mustard, diced onions, relish, and a simple cabbage slaw.
The cabbage slaw is a unique addition to the hot dog. You might think it’s like adding a salad on top, but consider the great hot dogs you’ve had with sauerkraut. Only with the Montreal hot dog, the cabbage adds mostly texture, with a touch of acidity from the vinaigrette.