Mike Cohen, born and raised in Côte Saint-Luc, has long been active in the community as a volunteer, journalist, and consultant. He profiles restaurants in Montreal and beyond.
mikecohen.ca
When Justin Bragg came to Montreal via Toronto in his late teens, he started to work at McDonald’s in Côte Saint-Luc. It was a good experience, leading the way for him to join the team at Boustan in NDG (where his mentor was Terry Axiotis of Homers Donuts fame). A few other opportunities followed until he had an epiphany: why not open his own place?
Last summer, Justin pulled the trigger. Using a play on his name, Le Jus made its debut at the corner of Monkland Avenue and Royal. I dropped by with up-and-coming food influencer Marlee Cohen (no relation) of Marleeats fame for a tasting.
Le Jus is an afternoon-to-late-night comfort food restaurant. They serve smash burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, and sides fast, fresh, and made with care. “Our menu is simple but bold,” Justin told us. “We’re open late so people can grab real food when most places are closed. No gimmicks, just good comfort food, halal-friendly, and made for the Montreal night crowd.”
Here at Le Jus, they serve up juicy, 100% halal smash-style burgers, loaded fries, and now a grilled cheese.
I had the classic smash burger. This was the perfect balance of crispy, juicy, and flavorful. The thin, caramelized beef patty is seared to perfection, with a crispy outer edge that gives way to tender, juicy meat. Melted cheese blankets the patty, oozing into every crevice. It’s topped with sweet, golden grilled onions that add a rich, smoky depth, and a layer of cool, shredded lettuce for crunch. Tangy pickles cut through the richness with a sharp bite, all brought together by a signature house-made sauce — creamy, zesty, and just a little bit addictive. Sandwiched in a soft, toasted bun, every bite delivers a perfect blend of textures and bold, savory flavors.
See my interview with Justin on Instagram
Marlee had the Buffalo Ranch chickenburger. She was pleased with the large portion and commented on the crispiness. “The chicken is so tender and juicy; it is not dry,” Marlee noted. “You can share this with someone.”
For sides, Marlee had the regular crispy fries, while I opted for the flavorful cheese fries
See Marlee’s review on Instagram
Justin is particularly proud of his rookie burger with cream cheese, bagel seasoning, jalapenos and spicy honey.
Let’s give a shoutout to Justin’s right-hand man, Devon.
There are a few tables inside, but this place is thriving with take-out and delivery options. Le Jus is located at 5976 Monkland Ave. It is open Wednesdays to Saturdays and Mondays. You can call (438) 375-7677 or find them on Instagram.
Mike Cohen, born and raised in Côte Saint-Luc, has long been active in the community as a volunteer, journalist, and consultant. He profiles restaurants in Montreal and beyond.
mikecohen.ca