In the summer of 2011, Alex and Mat Winnicki opened up a quaint seasonal food stand called Satay Brothers at the Atwater Market. The brothers were astonished with the extraordinary response to their traditional Singaporean street food. Customers quickly began flocking back to their humble shack due to the exceptional food and welcoming atmosphere.
The smell of the Winnickis’ food is simply tantalizing, and it tastes even better. Using only quality ingredients from local markets, the food is made fresh to order, and any dish is worth ordering. The passion both brothers possess for their culture is revealed within their cooking, and they dedicate time to developing powerful and unique flavours.
One of Satay Brothers’ signature dishes, Mee Rebus, is a beef broth soup full of hidden treasures. Each bite provides different textures of tender beef chunks, frosty miniature shrimp, crisp jalapeño slices, smooth homemade egg noodles, and much more.
Another favourite is the Satay Sandwich. It’s the perfect meal on the go: two chicken skewers packed between a soft, grilled bun baked the same day, topped with a homemade peanut sauce unique to Satay Brothers, and rice vinegar-based red cabbage coleslaw. The brothers also carry numerous options for vegetarians, such as traditional green papaya salad and gado gado, a vegetable salad topped with peanut sauce. Prices are also surprisingly affordable, and the average meal ranges from $7-$10. Although portion sizes are not immense, most customers leave feeling satisfied and content.
Satay Brothers has earned a remarkable reputation with locals, thanks not only to their food, but also their personalities. Mat is in charge of the food preparation, while Alex interacts with the customers. The brothers set the goal of recreating the experience found on the streets of Singapore—they set up wooden picnic tables, with authentic tableware, and even engage in conversation with their clientele. Upon ordering a meal, the care and attention devoted to the experience is immediately noticeable. It’s as if there is no other place the brothers would rather be than underneath their white tent serving Montreal diners. Even with their growing popularity, nothing has changed. The food is just as enticing as it was on opening day. Even if the line winds through the market, the brothers take the time to befriend and become acquainted with their customers on a personal level. In the city core, it is refreshing to walk up to the stand and always be greeted by your first name.
This delicious street food can only be found May through October, since the winter weather makes it too cold to serve outdoors. But the brothers have revealed a little secret: due to the great demand, a permanent location will be opening January 2013. For regular customers, there is no better news. Now the question is, can I last three months without this incredible food?
Satay Brothers
Location: 138 Atwater Avenue, Montréal
Website: sataybrothers.com
Hours: Thursday – Monday 10:30AM-6PM
