One of Montreal’s most recognizable names in deli dining has just been slapped with a big bill from Quebec food inspectors.
Chenoy’s, the smoked-meat staple on Boulevard Saint-Jean in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, was issued four separate fines totalling $7,200 according to the province’s Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ).
While the judgments were only handed down earlier this month, the violations themselves go back years, with infractions recorded in 2022 and 2023 only now reaching the courtroom.
What inspectors found
In each case, the citation was the same: the restaurant was not fully free of contaminants, pollutants, or the presence of animals (including insects and rodents) or their droppings.
Here’s what the Montreal municipal court ordered Chenoy’s to pay:
- $2,100 for an infraction dated September 11, 2023
- $1,900 for an infraction dated January 12, 2023
- $1,500 for an infraction dated March 8, 2022
- $1,700 for an infraction dated July 15, 2022
Why it matters
Food safety fines of this kind are not uncommon in Quebec, but Chenoy’s stands out given its long history in the city’s dining scene. MAPAQ’s decision to publish the details underscores how even well-known restaurants are not exempt from inspection rules.
Chenoy’s first opened in Montreal in 1936, quickly becoming known for its smoked meat sandwiches. The original restaurant was on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, but the longest-running active branch is the Dollard-des-Ormeaux location, opened in 1974.
The total of $7,200 puts Chenoy’s among the more heavily penalized establishments this year. In recent months, other big-name spots like Escondite, St-Hubert, Nickels, and Les Enfants Terribles have also been hit with fines for various issues.
Should diners be concerned?
MAPAQ notes that if a restaurant remains open, it means corrective measures have been made. Inspectors follow up to ensure standards are respected, and temporary closures are only ordered when there’s an immediate danger to public health.
For customers, that means grabbing a plate of smoked meat at Chenoy’s probably isn’t considered too risky today. But the recent fines are a reminder that the province is keeping close tabs on what happens in kitchens, even those belonging to Montreal icons.
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