On The Town: Caplansky’s Delicatessen

Caplansky’s Delicatessen
536 College Street
Toronto, ON
416=500-3852

(Photo via inqmnd)

It feels like I’ve been hearing about Caplansky’s for a minute.  Toronto has a lack of awesome smoked meat sandwiches, so when Zane Caplansky opened up moths ago Caplansky’s was on my list of places to try.

Over the summer it finally clued in that I should try this place out but of course I quickly learned that Caplansky’s was closed for the month while they moved to their new and bigger location on College Street.  Of course.  So my smoked meat cravings were put on hold until last week.

I’ve never been or even walked by the old Monarch Tavern location but the College Street location sounds like a definite improvement.   The new space is very large with tons of tables AND a HUGE outdoor patio.  Since the new place is on College the people watching is amazing so of course we opted for the patio.

What to choose for my meal was kind of a no-brainer.  Smoked meat sandwich, smoked meat poutine and a black cherry pop. Done.

Smoked Meat Sandwich: Like many delis Caplansky’s gives you the choice between lean, medium and regular (read “fatty”).  I chose medium because lean is for amateurs and with a bowl full of smoked meat poutine on the way, regular just seemed excessive.  The sandwich was good!  I mean, not as amazing as Scwartz’s in Montreal but pretty darn good.   I almost think I should have gotten the regular because the medium was a tad dry.  Also, the meat wasn’t piled as high as at some places.  I’m used to taking some meat out and making another sandwich the next day, not the case with Caplansky’s.  Also, no choice between a regular or half sour pickle, you only get regular.  I love my half sours!

Smoked Meat Poutine: Okay, so I saw Smoked Meat Poutine on the menu and ordered it but didn’t think too hard about it.  I figured it was just poutine with a smoked meat based gravy or something.  Um, WRONG.  The poutine was covered in smoked meat bits that I guess were incorporated into the gravy!  insane!  But so good.  Also, the fries were the best.  I’m still dreaming of those fries.  The curds weren’t squeaky but that doesn’t make or break a poutine for me.

I will definitely be back to Caplansky’s for more goodness.  Their breakfast/brunch menu has a few things I’d like to try for sure.

Here’s what others have to say…
The Toronto Star
National Post
Gourmet Magazine (WOW!)