Personally I find the smoked meat @ Smoked Mete Pete's much better than Schwartz's. Schwartz's is good, but honestly its much more hype than anything these days. They do have a very friendly staff though.
I've never tried Pete's but last summer i finally stopped by Schwartz after 30+ years of visiting Montreal. I decided to go for a walk along St-Laurent on a beautiful weekday afternoon. To my great surprise there was no lineup outside the restaurant. I don't believe ever walking or driving by there and not noticing a lineup.
So as i hesitated and began to look inside someone came to me and asked me if i wanted to sit outside (there had been a festival at the time and the street was closed to traffic) or inside. He also asked me if i preferred take-out. I told him i wanted to dine on the premises and preferred to eat inside. To my surprise there were still tables available. Maybe one person was eating outside, by the way. I told the gentleman that i'd sit at the bar counter.
I absolutely LOVE smoked meat!! I've been eating smoked meat/corned beef/pastrami sandwiches all my life from various places whether from Shopsy's in Toronto, La Belle Province, Deli 88, Nickel's, Druxy's (in Toronto), Moe's, Dunn's or at my current favorite over the past 15 years or so....Reuben's Deli on St-Catherine street, near Peel. But i still had not eaten one from Schwartz, which had long been on my bucket list.
I ordered the smoked meat sandwich with fries, coleslaw and a beverage. My order arrived about 5 minutes later. And again, i looked around and was surprised that this small restaurant still had plenty of room for anyone wanting to eat in. And all the time i was there there was zero lineup at the door. Weird
Well, guess what?? I was left extremely disappointed!!! The fries were great, but the sandwich was far from the best i ever ate. It actually reminded me of the smoked meat sandwich currently made at Dunn's (on Metcalfe). And i hate it!!! I struggled to finish my sandwich but again, the fries were great. After stepping out of the place i texted a buddy of mine and told him my experience. He replied "I know, the place is way too overhyped if you ask me." I couldn't agree more.
I doubt i'll ever go back. I was so damn disappointed!! It felt like having your sights for some time on a gorgeous sp from FKS with great reviews and when you finally get to be with her she turns into a dead lay! If i ever do happen to walk by and the place is half empty again, i'll probably stick with the fries.