Okay. Hate me if you will: we have to close on Wednesday in order for the meat to cure enough. Yes, I’ve doubled up on my supply and yes I’m working double time just to keep up but you’re making it hard because you’re eating more than I ever anticipated. I always wondered about the concept of the “self-hating Jew” and now I think I get it.
See, ideally it takes three weeks for the meat to cure which means that I have to anticipate demand three weeks in advance. Did I know that so many people read Toronto Life or what that would do to my little deli? Did I know Now Magazine would list us as one of the 200 reasons Toronto Rocks? Did I know we’d be a topic of discussion on CBC radio’s Metro Morning? Of course not. Am I an idiot? Um, don’t answer, that was rhetorical.
Can you imagine how awful I feel looking at the faces of disappointed customers? It breaks my heart. A family came in last night after we’d run out of meat. ”This is the second time,” they said. Their daughter, maybe 10 years old started to cry but there was nothing I could do except apologize and give them my number to call before they come.
The new smoker is chugging day and night and my people are working to exhaustion to keep up. The good news is that those lucky enough to have their orders fulfilled leave with smiles and pledges to return.
To all the others we’ve had to turn away and those who will come down on Wednesday only to hear my story and get an apology, please know: I am truly sorry. I appreciate your patience and forbearance. ”Pain,” according to the Buddha “is part of life. But suffering is optional.” I know we’ll get through this and be able to satisfy your cravings. No one need suffer for lack of smoked meat. Not on my watch.
