Street meat carts riddle the downtown core, so it’s not often that I feel like a hot dog. But The Little Dog Steamies & Fries in Little Italy is so cheerful – pastel table and chairs outside lends a vacation-y feel to the place, as does the menu: New York and Quebec dawgs and fries.

The Original Montreal Steamie ($1.99), a Nathan’s dog, is the juiciest I’ve ever had. Topped with mustard, relish, onions and superb creamy coleslaw, it’s one also one of the best. While the Lesters Gourmet ($3.99) is perhaps more flavourful, it’s drier (almost anything would be).

Salted fries are topped with zesty chili ($2.99) and the poutine ($3.99) serves up better gravy than most poutine houses.

Lunch is so inexpensive you can treat yourself to dessert at sister restaurant The Big Chill next door. Scoops of decadent espresso ice cream ($3.50) and blood orange sorbet conclude our memorable staycation.