Sylvan Lake has many attractions that draw people to the town — the lake, the famous Big Moo ice cream, and the party-like atmosphere during the summer months are just a few.
Since last fall, there is another lure and that is the new eatery that has opened at the Varsity Mall (6 5004 46th St.), called Angelozzi’s Authentic Montreal Smoked meat.
Owned by Michael Angelozzi and Joanne Waldo, a longtime resident of the town, the new deli shop sells a product that is unique, authentic and very much local — the Montreal smoked meat.
“It is Alberta beef that is shipped to our supplier in Quebec and they do the smoking, curing as they have perfected over the last 54 years, before it is shipped back to us,” explains Angelozzi.
Rightfully so, the Montreal smoked sandwich takes centre stage on their menu offerings. It comes in four sizes, ranging from small four-ounce kid’s size to whopping 10-ounces. It is all about the meat with this sandwich — the deep-burgundy slices of smoky beef are piled high, I mean loaded, in between slices of rye bread. With the fresh smells wafting out, the juices in your mouth are already flowing with anticipation, long before you even take a bite into the thick, meaty, juicy sandwich!
Is the sandwich an authentic Eastern Canadian deal?
Paired with a fat pickle, crunchy coleslaw and some chips, it really says “Montréal” and made me reminisce on my trip to Quebec. But don’t take my word alone. “There is a massive Quebec migration to these Central Alberta parts, and everyone is a connoisseur, but everyone also agrees that it is the closest they have tasted to home anywhere near these parts,” says Angelozzi.
This is Angelozzi’s second successful venture with Montreal smoked meat. “The first being Avenue Deli in Marda Loop in Calgary,” says Angelozzi. Angelozzi co-owned and operated the deli with Michelle Villeneuve but sold it to Villeneuve in 2008 and Villeneuve has not looked back, continuing the successful business.
Since my husband had a difficult time finishing the six-ounce sandwich, he asked our young server if anyone orders and finishes the 10-ounce size? He proudly said, “Yes, I did but it was a whole day activity.”
Smoked beef is also featured on other items on the menu like the Reuben Steame — a steamed all-beef hot dog, topped with slices of smoked meat, mustard Gouda cheese, Polish sauerkraut, and cucumber pickled relish. Dee-lish is the only way to describe this!
Montreal smoked meat isn’t the only thing on the menu. They also have one of my favourite sandwich — bagel and lox — a cream cheese bagel topped with B.C. smoked salmon, sweet red onions, capers and coarsely crushed peppercorns, an open-faced sandwich that screams fresh, light and healthy!
For those seeking a vegetarian or traditional comfort sandwich, there is grilled cheese. Not your simple grilled cheese either, but a combination of four cheeses— gouda, Monterey jack, havarti and cheddar — grilled perfectly so that the rye bread is crispy and crunchy with the melted cheese oozing out in between. There are also grilled turkey and tuna sandwiches.
Saving the best for last, Angelozzi also offers limited varieties of “old school” milkshakes. The kind of milkshakes that are thick but not too thick that you can’t suck through the straw, the kind that you can’t stop drinking until you feel a brain freeze coming on and the kind where the straw stands at attention in the middle. My personal favourite was the apple pie — with true apple flavour, it was as if they took a whole apple pie, mashed it up and turned it into a creamy, cold concoction.
The deli is in a brand new building with an open kitchen concept so the place has a buzz when it is full of people waiting for their food. With tables spaciously arranged, it has dine-in, take-out and catering capabilities.
Angelozzi’s Authentic Montreal smoked meat is definitely a place if you want a fast quality meal. Looking at the menu, some may hesitate at the $10 to $13 price for a sandwich, but the quality and quantity of meat surely justifies spending the money and the 20-minute drive out to Sylvan Lake.
You can follow Angelozzi’s on Twitter @angelozzis or on Facebook.
Madhu Badoni is a Red Deer-based freelance food writer. She can be reached at madhubadoni@gmail.com or on Twitter @madhubadoni. Watch for Madhu’s Masala-Mix blog on www.reddeeradvocate.com.