FINALLY a smoked meat slayer in Toronto! I have been searching and searching for a venue (other than Schwartz) that could dish up a proper smoked meat sandwich and I always came up short, until I ventured into Caplansky's.
The "fatty" smoked meat sandwich was unbelievable, with every bite I fell more and more in love with it, and with every bite it further reinforced the comforting notion in my head that I finally found a smoked meat sandwich in Toronto worthy of the Gold medal.
Caplansky's brisket is smoked using a 50/50 combination of mesquite and hickory wood. This really enhances the flavour to a point where I don't think it could get any better. The rub is different from that of Schwartz's but is equally as powerful. I highly recommend spreading a streak of horseradish mustard inside to send the sandwich to the next level, and you best believe they rep Anton Kozlik's mustards, St. Lawrence what up.
I've eaten at Pancer's, Kat'z, Centre Street Deli and a handful of other deli's in the GTA, outside of MTL nothing has been as equally satisfying like the Cap's smoked meat sandwich. Truthfully I'm in awe by the quality of smoked meat this establishment kicks out. I can't wait to get back to have the smoked meat sandwich again, as well as the smoked meat poutine and the smoked meat hash.
In closing, what truly sealed the deal for me with this solid 5* rating was the service. From the moment I pulled across the hanging drape and entered the delicatessen I was greeted with a smiling and energetic hostess. She sat me at the bar and from there I chatted with the bartender Peter about their process of smoking the meats and we both expressed are love for Anton's mustards. It is so so so important to offer customers exceptional service and Cap's is on the ball.