Lox + Schmear

What is Lox + Schmear? Perched along St. Clair Avenue West in Regal Heights, Lox + Schmear is an indie appetizing counter and artisanal fish smokehouse helmed by owner Lev Levine. The space is sunlit, casual, and refreshingly unpretentious, adorned with white walls, minimalist wood accents, and framed vintage Levine family bar and bat mitzvah photos. A handful of casual indoor tables accommodate sit-down diners alongside a bustling takeout counter where fresh orders are hand-sliced and assembled.

Lox + Schmear Menu & What to Order Everything hinges on the shop's house-cured, small-batch Atlantic salmon, cold-smoked over cedar for days to achieve a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Order "The OG" on a chewy, toasted Montreal-style St. Urbain bagel layered with plain cream cheese, paper-thin red onions, ripe tomato, and briny capers. Upgrade to "The Fancy Fancy" for added crunch from English cucumber, house-grown alfalfa sprouts, and fresh dill, or ask for "The Lev" stacked with potato chips for a satisfying crunch. Plant-based diners are well taken care of with dairy-free cashew cream cheese and vegan gluten-free bagels, while home brunch hosts should grab "The Lox Box" by the half-dozen.

Know Before You Go Service is strictly walk-in with no reservations, so expect lines out the door on weekend mornings. The shop operates on a tight weekend-only schedule from Friday through Sunday until 2:30 p.m., frequently selling out of prized fish batches before closing. Hop on the 512 St. Clair streetcar to Glenholme Avenue for easy transit access, or use nearby Green P street parking.