Sandwiches have always held a special place in my heart.
When I was little, I’d beg my grandparents to make me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or even better, a Nutella one, every day. As I grew up, my sandwich repertoire expanded with packed lunches for school, including ham and cheese, egg salad, or even tuna sandwiches. Later, during one of my first jobs at a Tim Hortons, I learned to make all sorts of sandwiches, trying out countless combinations. And as I grew older, I just kept exploring more and more sandwich shops everywhere.
But if it weren’t for food blogger @evananya‘s recent giveaway, I might have missed out on one of the best sandwich shops in Montreal: SHNOOPI.
SHNOOPI
288 Notre-Dame Street West
Montreal, Quebec
H2Y 1T7
Nestled in the picturesque streets of Old Montreal, SHNOOPI is just a short walk away from the Square-Victoria-OACI metro station. You can’t miss their beautiful tall glass window or their adorable dark green SHNOOPI sign logo. I still can’t help but wonder what font they used for it!
And yes, that’s SHNOOPI with an “s-h” and an “i.” Not Snoopy like the Peanuts character. But let’s talk about that name, because it’s more than just a clever moniker. The name SHNOOPI is actually the long-time nickname of the Shanab family, the masterminds behind the sandwich shop. So don’t be surprised if you hear them calling each other SHNOOPI behind the counter!
I remember stepping inside, expecting to order at the counter and take my sandwich to a seat. But to my surprise, I was greeted with a smile, escorted to a seat, handed a menu, and even served some water in a cute wine glass. I felt like I was in one of those fancy restaurants. Not to mention, the decor was absolutely gorgeous.
The black and white woven chairs, the bricked walls covered in beautiful paintings and photographs, the music decor with guitars and CDs, the scent of freshly brewed espresso lingering in the air, the wine bottles, the magazines and books scattered around, the sound of servers speaking to each other in Arabic… It felt like being transported to a French terrasse, while sipping coffee in Italy, and soaking in the ambiance of the Middle East, all at once.
And there’s a reason the space feels like a crossroads of cultures.
The Shanab family grew up in Egypt, but also travelled a lot to other Mediterranean countries, like France, Greece, Italy and Lebanon. Today, people come to SHNOOPI to experience the family’s culinary journey, where every bite reflects the diverse flavours and influences of the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, while honouring the family’s heritage.
So here’s everything I tried at SHNOOPI.
1. The Small Potato Salad
Potatoes, boiled eggs, green onions, mayo.
I’m usually not crazy about potato salad, but trust me on this one: There’s a reason why SHNOOPI’s signature potato salad is all over TikTok. The eggs are soft to perfection, and the perfect amount of green onions gives it just the right kick.
Creamy as it was, it paired perfectly with SHNOOPI’s refreshing iced coffee.
2. The SHNOOPI Sandwich
Shrimps topped with truffles, feta and mushrooms on a bed of arugula in Tuscan bread.
This might be one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever tasted. One bite into this shrimp sandwich and your taste buds will instantly be elevated by the exquisite blend of succulent shrimp, creamy feta cheese, fresh arugula, and truffle.
Definitely worthy of the name SHNOOPI!
3. The Meatball Sandwich
Meatballs marinated in onion sauce, tomatoes, fresh onions and pickles finished with tahini in sesame bread.
The only thing better than one SHNOOPI sandwich is two SHNOOPI sandwiches!
If you’re a fan of both meatballs and tahini, then you absolutely have to try this sandwich. It’s a delicious fusion of Italian and Middle Eastern flavours that will leave you craving more. I almost fell into a food coma after devouring this meatball masterpiece!
4. The Oven Pasta
Penne, minced meat, tomato sauce topped with a coat of bechamel.
Now everyone loves pasta.
But SHNOOPI takes pasta to a whole new level. Their comforting, oven-baked penne pasta with meat and tomato sauce is elevated with a thick coat of béchamel that is so smooth, it almost tastes like potato. It’s like having a shepherd’s pie top with a special pasta bottom!
With so many delicious options on their menu, it took me quite a while to narrow down my choices to just these four items. Every dish looked tempting!
I’ll definitely be back real soon to try more sandwiches. I have my eyes on their slow-cooked sirloin steak sandwich and their Camembert cheese sandwich finished with strawberry jam and almonds.
Mmm! My mouth is salivating just thinking about it!
And if you and your friends are dying to try these delicious sandwiches, but can’t travel this far or can’t carry all these sandwiches at once, don’t worry. SHNOOPI also offers catering and delivery services. Whether you’re at work for lunch or having a casual get-together with friends, SHNOOPI has you covered!
Remember, SHNOOPI is more than just a sandwich shop. It’s a culinary experience that celebrates family, tradition, and delicious flavours.
So what are you waiting for? Don’t miss out on this gem in Old Montreal!
The Lilac Blog 