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| - Best smoked meat in town? I guess.
Upon hearing the word Caplansky's, for many in Toronto triggers immediate salivation and mental images of their famed carnivorous fares. This College Street fixture is often packed, but the lineups often disappears once the patio opens.
The proprietor Zane Caplansky is often here looking after his home base, staffed with enthusiastic faces, and covered with silly Jewish puns. Zane is often the one greeting you and leading you to your table.
There are plenty of ways to have your Caplansky's smoked meat fix, and the sandwich is the staple of the experience. Damn it's good--chewy and tender and nice hints of smokiness, stacked high on slices of rye bread, served with a pickle slice and a rather mundane cup of coleslaw. Their burgers and poutine are equally delicious.
Each table is stocked with a set of in-house mustard, ranging from mild to spicy. It is fun to try them all.
At one visit, a server recommended I have their maple bacon donuts for desert. The accepted challenge came in the form of three large crispy donut balls--quite like Timbits--that was swimming in syrup and not a lot of fried-to-a-crunch chunks of bacon. Even though I am a junkie for anything maple syrup, this one was... meh.
Overall, it's a great relaxed place to get your lunch deli fix. I only wished they actually served pastrami sandwiches here. Also, the basement level washrooms are quite on the dingy side.
{TTC: 506 streetcar to Borden, or the 511 to College and walk east}
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